Jets might use Cardinals or Titans for trade-back for 14.5 sack edge rusher

The New York Jets are in a good spot in the 2026 NFL Draft. While they won't be able to land Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana with the Las Vegas Raiders set to take the Heisman winner, the Jets can still use the No. 2 overall pick well.

But, instead of taking a player with that pick, what about trading down in the draft and picking up some extra ammo? It's entirely possible, and in fact, an opportunity might be there for a small move that generates some value.

As The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt notes, the Jets might be able to use either the Arizona Cardinals (No. 3) or Tennessee Titans (No. 4) as a trade-down team thanks to their interest in a 14.5 sack Texas Tech edge rusher, David Bailey.

Jets could use David Bailey to trade down in NFL Draft

"Something also to keep in mind: The Titans and Cardinals are believed to have interest in Bailey, which is notable if the Jets were to trade back a pick or two and gain additional capital," Rosenblatt writes.

The Jets trading out of the second-overall pick is entirely possible, especially if the Jets can still land one of their ideal players with their earliest first-round pick.

Moving down with the Cardinals, to allow Bailey to go to Arizona, would give the Jets some extra draft capital and also give them the chance to pick Arvell Reese.

More: Jets ideal pick at No. 2 overall is Arvell Reese out of Ohio State

A Titans trade-down would cost a good bit more, but it could also open the door to the Jets getting Reese still, or taking one of the other interesting players while recouping some serious value in the draft.

Either way, the Jets might be able to use Bailey, the edge rusher who had 14.5 sacks last year for Texas Tech, to move down in the 2026 NFL Draft only a few spots with believed interest from the Cardinals and Titans.

This is an interesting idea for the Jets, and one that Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn should absolutely jump at the chance to do if the opportunity arise's come draft night.

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