NFL insider reveals Jets deciding between two players with No. 2 pick

We are now less than a week away from the 2026 NFL Draft. Soon enough, our questions will all be answered, but for now, we have to be content with speculation. 

Regarding the New York Jets, speculation has been all over the place this offseason. In a normal year, the Jets would almost certainly be predicted to draft a quarterback with the No. 2 pick. However, Fernando Mendoza is considered a lock to go No. 1, and no other quarterback is expected to go in the top 15 picks. 

As a result, the team will almost certainly add a defender, and according to one insider, the team has narrowed its decision down to two guys. 

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports that the Jets are expected to take either Texas Tech's David Bailey or Ohio State's Arvell Reese. Bailey is considered one of the top pure edge rushers in the class, while Reese could be an edge rusher or an off-ball linebacker. 

Is it Reese, Bailey, or bust for the Jets? 

It's clear the Jets want to get better on defense. Head coach Aaron Glenn is a defensive coach, and his unit was abysmal for the most part in 2025. 

Thus, it makes sense why the team would be interested in Bailey and Reese. Bailey led the FBS in 2025 with 14.5 sacks, and earned First-team All-American honors as a result. Reese, meanwhile, racked up 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks, while also being an All-American. 

Bailey is a pure pass rusher, while Reese played off-ball in college but is widely expected to be an edge rusher in the NFL. So, which of these players is more likely to be a Jet? 

"Bailey is the surest one but Arvell is gonna be a star," said one defensive coordinator. "Arvell needs some time and the Jets need someone right now."

As that anonymous defensive coordinator mentioned, it seems like Bailey is the better pick for the Jets in 2026. The defender has an elite set of pass rush moves and went up against NFL-level competition in college. Reese, meanwhile, may take some time to adjust given his expected position change. 

However, another anonymous NFL executive offered a case for Reese. 

"I would take [Reese] before any of the other guys," said one assistant GM. "He's the most explosive. Everyone talks about him not doing it much but I don't care. The draft is a projection. That's what we get paid to do."

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