Jets best options with No. 2 pick: Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain lead top prospects after Fernando Mendoza

With Fernando Mendoza the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 in the NFL Draft to the Las Vegas Raiders, the real draft begins at No. 2 with the New York Jets.

Of course, the Jets would have loved if there were another quarterback worthy of a top-two pick available, but none of the remaining quarterback prospects are in that discussion. Therefore, the Jets have an important decision to make with the No. 2 pick, as there are many high-quality players available but no consensus option.

Unless the Jets go really off the board, New York will likely take a defender, as the top of this draft is full of defensive star power. The Jets' defense in 2025 was abysmal, setting a record with zero interceptions in the entire 17-game season, and New York has many prospects available who will improve the unit in 2026.

Here's a look at the five best prospects available for the Jets at No. 2.

MORE: Complete list of the 2026 draft order

Jets best options with No. 2 pick

1. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Many analysts consider Reese to be the best player in the draft, even better than Mendoza. Just 20 years old, Reese's lone year as a starter for Ohio State went incredibly well, as he led a stout Buckeyes defense at inside linebacker, producing 69 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Although Reese's versatility means a team could try him out as an EDGE, his best position is likely at inside linebacker, where he can grow as the leader of the defense. The Jets need as much high-end talent as they can get, so taking Reese should give them a blue-chip player for at least a decade.

Reese has been the favorite for most of draft season and fits the mold if the Jets go with the best player available.

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2. Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami

Bain Jr. might be the best three-down player on this list, as he recorded 20.5 sacks in three years at Miami, including 9.5 in 2025, helping lead the Hurricanes to the National Championship game. During the College Football Playoff, Bain was arguably the best player on the field in every Miami game and showed why he will be a first-round pick.

However, Bain Jr. comes with two concerns that could scare off teams. First, he was involved in a car accident in 2024 that killed a passenger in his career, an incident that NFL teams have reportedly understood throughout the process. Second, Bain has shorter arms than most EDGE players, which could be overblown as long as he remains productive.

New York will likely look for a different option, but Bain's production is hard to ignore.

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3. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

The best attribute a defender in the NFL can have is sacking the quarterback, which Bailey does better than anyone else. The Texas Tech EDGE led the Big 12 with 14.5 sacks in 2025 and produced 29 sacks over four seasons, as he would give the Jets an instantly dangerous EDGE from day one.

While winning on passing downs is not an issue for Bailey, the question is whether he will have an impact on running downs. Bailey isn't known for being a strong run-stopper, and while that's not as important as sacking quarterbacks, it's still crucial for star defensive players to be able to play all three downs.

The Jets taking Bailey would mean focusing on adding immediate impact along a defensive line that needs playmakers.

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4. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Safeties rarely go in the top five, but if anyone is worthy, it's Downs. The Ohio State star was an Alabama transfer who became a two-time All-American in Columbus, producing 257 combined tackles in three years between the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes.

Downs' position is his biggest hangup since most NFL teams don't consider safety a premier position. While there were rumors about a knee injury, that Downs himself denied, the safety should be one of the safest picks available as long as his health checks out.

While the Jets are unlikely to take Downs, he's the type of player who would give his new team the best chance at hitting on the pick.

5. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

In five years, very few analysts will be surprised if it's Styles who turns into the best player from this class. Another star defender from Ohio State, Styles played alongside Reese and collected 22.5 sacks and 244 combined tackles in four seasons as a hybrid defender.

Styles dominated the NFL Combine with incredible workout numbers, which only helped his case to be taken high in the draft. Some analysts have Styles ahead of Reese, so picking between the two could come down to personal preference.

With Reese being linked to the Jets, Styles is more of a distant conversation at this point. but he'd still be a good pick.

Jets 2026 draft picks