The opening act of the 2026 NFL Draft is set to feature the New York Jets on Thursday night as they weigh their next marquee pass‑rusher. Assuming no dramatic surprises, the Las Vegas Raiders are poised to select Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, cementing his status as the premier quarterback prospect in this class. The real intrigue, however, lies with the Jets and the No.
2 slot. Will they reach for Arvell Reese or David Bailey? And with the fate of the No.
3 pick still in flux, where might the other top edge‑rusher land? Senior advisor Rick Spielman painted a picture of a win‑win scenario for the organization, hoping to flip the script on the field next season. "Everyone’s pretty sure Mendoza goes first unless something wild happens, and I don’t expect that," Spielman told Sky Sports.
"But the second pick is where we’ll shape the rest of the draft. We’ve narrowed it down to the two edge rushers—David Bailey and Arvell Reese—and by the time our clock starts Thursday, the decision will be made." Spielman added that the team is finalising the finer points of the deal, "crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s," and that General Manager Darren Mougey will be ready to execute whichever choice they make, confident that they’ll secure a top‑tier talent. Before his tenure with the Jets, Spielman served as the Miami Dolphins’ general manager in 2004 and later guided the Minnesota Vikings from 2012 to 2022. Despite the usual pre‑draft haze of speculation, he insists the Jets have a clear direction heading into Thursday night’s selection.
"We’ve basically wrapped up our evaluations on the players; it’s now a matter of waiting," he said. "On Thursday, Coach Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey will meet with ownership one final time to lock in the plan. As the British say, ‘the hay’s in the barn.’ The owner will sign off, and we’ll be ready when the clock starts." The draft landscape has already shifted. Dexter Lawrence’s trade from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Bengals was an early shock, and Spielman expects additional movement as six teams enter the first round with multiple selections.
"I’ve heard a few teams express interest in moving up to the No. 2 spot," Spielman noted. "When I was a top‑10 pick, I got a flood of calls on Thursday. I even made a trade around two o’clock that day.
Everyone’s talking to everyone else." Jeff Reinebold of Sky Sports NFL underscored the depth of this year’s edge‑rusher pool, calling it the deepest he’s ever seen, anchored by Reese and Bailey. "David Bailey is a dynamic edge rusher who makes his living by pressuring the quarterback. He’s not a run stopper, but his ability to get to the QB is unmatched in this draft," Reinebold said on Inside the Huddle. "Then there’s Arvell Reese—a hybrid player who can line up as an edge, an off‑ball linebacker, or a blend of both." Reinebold also highlighted the Ohio State connection, noting that Reese, alongside Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs, benefits from coaching under Matt Patricia, a former NFL defensive coordinator and head coach.
"Those guys have been schooled in a system that mirrors the Patriots’ defense, giving them a pro‑football IQ that most other prospects lack," he explained. The Jets’ decision will hinge on how they envision their defensive scheme evolving.
Bailey offers pure, explosive pass‑rush velocity, ideal for a team that wants to dominate the quarterback with relentless pressure. Reese, by contrast, brings versatility—he can rush the passer, drop into coverage, and play multiple linebacker roles, providing a more adaptable defensive package. If the Jets prioritize a straightforward, high‑octane pass rush to complement their existing front seven, Bailey could be the logical choice.
His skill set aligns with a scheme that emphasizes edge speed and disruption. Conversely, if New York’s coaching staff values flexibility and the ability to disguise blitzes, Reese’s hybrid capabilities might better serve a more complex defensive game plan.
Beyond the immediate pick, the Jets must also consider salary‑cap implications, contract timelines, and the potential for future trades. A player like Bailey, who may command a sizeable rookie contract, could impact the team’s ability to address other needs in free agency. Reese’s versatility, however, could make him a more cost‑effective asset if he can fill multiple roles.
The broader draft context adds another layer of strategy. With several teams possessing multiple first‑round selections, the Jets could leverage their position to trade down or acquire additional picks, depending on how the negotiations unfold on Thursday.
Spielman’s comments about other clubs courting the No. 2 slot suggest a lively market that could present the Jets with unexpected opportunities. In summary, the Jets stand at a crossroads: choose a pure pass rusher in David Bailey, or opt for the adaptable Arvell Reese, each path offering distinct advantages for New York’s defensive future. Their decision will not only shape the remainder of the draft but also set the tone for the franchise’s trajectory in the coming seasons.
Fans can follow the entire three‑day draft extravaganza live on Sky Sports, with Day One kicking off at 1 a.m. early Friday morning.