With their final pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jets on Saturday selected Kansas State safety VJ Payne in the seventh round (No. 228 overall).
Payne (6-3 208), a native of Gainesville, GA, was a four-year starter at K-State, earning a starting spot midway through his freshman season. He started a total of 42 games over his four seasons.
Payne has good length (nearly a 34-inch wingspan) and clocked a speedy 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a 10-7 broad jump and a 35-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine in February.
He logged a total of 196 tackles during his time with the Wildcats while also contributing 4 forced fumbles.
A dual-sport athlete (also ran track & field) at Buford HS, where he also saw time at linebacker, Payne helped his team to a 14-1 record and a Georgia state championship.