The opening act of the 2026 NFL Draft is set to feature the New York Jets on Thursday night, as they prepare to select the next cornerstone of their pass‑rush arsenal. While the top overall selection is widely expected to belong to the Las Vegas Raiders—who will likely reach for Fernando Mendoza, the premier quarterback prospect of this class—the real intrigue for the Jets centers on the No.
2 pick. The question on everyone’s mind is whether the Jets will choose Arvell Reese or David Bailey to bolster their defensive front, and how the decisions at No.
3 and beyond could reshape the rest of the draft board. Senior advisor Rick Spielman painted a picture of a win‑win scenario for the franchise, emphasizing that the direction they take with the second overall selection will effectively dictate the flow of the entire draft. "Everyone knows Mendoza is going to be taken first unless something absolutely crazy happens, and I don’t expect that to happen," Spielman told Sky Sports.
"But the second pick is where we get to control the rest of the draft. We’ve narrowed it down to two elite edge rushers—David Bailey and Arvell Reese—and by the time we hit the clock on Thursday, the decision will be made." Spielman explained that the Jets are currently polishing the final details of their draft strategy. "We’re just ironing out a few minor items, crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s," he said.
"General manager Darren Mougey will be ready, and I’m confident that whichever path we take, we’ll end up with a top‑tier football player." Having previously served as the general manager of the Miami Dolphins in 2004 and later helming the Minnesota Vikings from 2012 to 2022, Spielman brings a wealth of experience to the Jets’ front office. He stressed that the organization has a clear vision for Thursday night’s pick despite the “smoke and mirrors” that often surround draft day.
"Everything is essentially set with the players; we’re just waiting for the clock to start," Spielman added. "On Thursday, Coach Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey will sit down with the ownership group one final time to confirm the direction we’re heading. As they say in the UK, the hay’s in the barn—meaning the decision is essentially locked in, and the owner will sign off before the clock begins." The draft landscape has already seen a notable shake‑up with Dexter Lawrence’s trade from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Bengals, signaling that teams are willing to move aggressively early in the process.
Spielman hinted that the Jets could see further movement, noting that several franchises have expressed interest in trading up to the No. 2 slot. "I’ve been talking to Darren, and a couple of teams are looking to trade up," he said. "When I was a top‑10 pick, I got a flood of calls on Thursday.
I even made a trade around 2 a.m. that day, so the phones are definitely ringing." Sky Sports NFL analyst Jeff Reinebold described this year’s edge‑rusher class as the deepest he has ever seen, with Reese and Bailey leading the pack.
Reinebold praised Bailey’s ability to generate pressure on the quarterback, noting that while he may not be a run‑stopping specialist, his primary value lies in disrupting passing attacks. "If you’re David Bailey, you’re a dynamic edge rusher whose money is made by getting to the quarterback, and he does that better than anyone else in this draft," Reinebold said on the Inside the Huddle podcast. Reinebold also highlighted the versatility of Arvell Reese, calling him a hybrid player who can line up as an edge defender, an off‑ball linebacker, or a blend of both. He pointed out that several top prospects—Reese, Sonny Styles, and Caleb Downs—hail from Ohio State, a program that has benefited from the influence of former NFL defensive coordinator and head coach Matt Patricia.
"These Ohio State players have been schooled in a system that mirrors the Patriots’ defense, giving them a more advanced football IQ heading into the pros," Reinebold explained. For Jets fans, the stakes are high.
The franchise has struggled to establish a consistent pass rush in recent seasons, and securing a premier edge talent could be the catalyst needed to elevate the defense and improve the team’s overall competitiveness. The decision between Reese and Bailey will hinge on several factors: Bailey’s raw explosiveness and proven ability to generate quarterback pressure, versus Reese’s size, versatility, and experience playing multiple roles in a complex defensive scheme. Beyond the No.
2 pick, the Jets will also need to consider how the selections at No. 3 and later will complement their chosen rusher. If the Jets opt for Bailey, they might look to add a versatile linebacker or a coverage‑focused safety to balance the defense.
Conversely, selecting Reese could prompt the organization to pursue a pure pass‑rusher in the later rounds to add depth and rotational flexibility. The broader draft narrative includes a flurry of activity among other teams, many of which hold multiple first‑round picks.
This environment creates a dynamic where the Jets could potentially leverage trade assets to move further down the board if they feel confident in the depth of the edge‑rusher class. However, Spielman's comments suggest that the Jets are prepared to make a decisive move at No. 2 rather than gamble on later picks. As the clock ticks down on Thursday night, the Jets’ front office will finalize its decision, and the league will watch to see which elite pass rusher becomes the next cornerstone of New York’s defense.
Whether it is Arvell Reese’s adaptable skill set or David Bailey’s relentless pass‑rush prowess, the choice will shape the Jets’ trajectory for years to come. The 2026 NFL Draft promises to be a pivotal moment for the franchise, and fans can tune in to Sky Sports for live coverage of all three days, starting with Day One at 1 a.m. Friday morning.