Jets Rookie Kenyon Sadiq Mistook Draft Call for Prank Like Shedeur Sanders

Tight end Kenyon Sadiq asked Jets head coach Aaron Glenn if he was being pranked until Glenn assured him that he wasn't and the Jets drafted him 16th overall.

Jets Rookie Kenyon Sadiq Mistook Draft Call for Prank Like Shedeur Sanders

Kenyon Sadiq and Jets head coach Aaron Glenn inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • Kenyon Sadiq initially thought his draft call from the Jets was a prank.
  • The Jets selected Sadiq 16th overall, highlighting his potential as a key offensive weapon.
  • Sadiq brings impressive athleticism, having recorded a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

For a brief moment, Kenyon Sadiq thought someone was prank-calling him on the first day of the draft until he realized that was not the case. The call, in fact, came from the New York Jets general manager, Darren Mougey.

Mougey dialed Sadiq to let him know that the Jets were going to draft him at 16th overall. Head coach Aaron Glenn got on the phone to tell the University of Oregon alum that he’s going to be a “big weapon” for the team. That’s when Sadiq asked Glenn if he was getting pranked by someone impersonating the Jets front office and coaches.

Glenn assured Sadiq that he did not need to worry because it was indeed the Jets calling him. Owner Woody Johnson was the next to speak with Sadiq, followed by an excited Jets tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts.

We are so excited… I can not even breathe right now… I am so happy, congratulations to you man.

Roberts told Sadiq before the Jets officially handed in their pick and drafted him

No one can blame Sadiq for thinking he was being pranked, given that it made headlines last year. Shedeur Sanders, a projected first-round draft pick, slid to day 2 when he received a call from someone claiming that he represented a certain NFL team and they were ready to draft him, only to realize that it was a hoax.

Later, it was discovered that the call came from Jeff Ulbrich‘s (Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator) son. Both Ulbrich and his son later issued an apology. The NFL fined Ulbrich $100,000 and the Falcons $250,000 for failing to protect confidential information.

Sadiq was not the only player the Jets drafted on day one. The Jets used their second overall pick to draft Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey. At 30th overall (a pick the Jets acquired via trade from the Denver Broncos), Gang Green drafted the University of Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.

Kenyon Sadiq explained what he brings to the Jets

The Jets boasted one of the worst offenses in the league last year. Quarterback Justin Fields did not perform as Glenn had anticipated, and Tyrod Taylor looked too rusty to be a long-term starter.

Jets Rookie Kenyon Sadiq Mistook Draft Call for Prank Like Shedeur Sanders
#18 Kenyon Sadiq (Image via IMAGO)

In the offseason, Glenn brought in a former Jets draftee to help solve the QB problem. Geno Smith returned to New York, his first NFL team, to end the club’s playoff drought. Garrett Wilson, Arian Smith, Adonai Mitchell, Breece Hall, and Braelon Allen are very young weapons whom Smith can lean on.

At tight end, the Jets have Jeremy Ruckert, Mason Taylor, and Jelani Woods. Sadiq will bring a different dimension to that tight end room. He’s a pure athlete and can run 40 yards in under 4:40 seconds. But he can also block if required.

I think I can help in the running and passing game on top of that. I’m sure I’m on special teams as well. That’s what I did at Oregon [Ducks], and that’s what I’ll continue to do. I can create separation, but I can also go hit someone. Obviously, the NFL is different. I’m going to have to clean some things up. But, man, I’m going to go hit somebody. I’m not going to be scared.

Kenyon Sadiq said (H/T: Jets official website)

Sadiq played three seasons with the Ducks. He made a total of 42 appearances, registering 80 receptions for 892 yards and 11 touchdowns.

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