The opening act of the 2026 NFL Draft is set to feature the New York Jets on Thursday night as they deliberate over their next elite edge‑rusher. Assuming no unexpected developments, the Las Vegas Raiders are poised to select Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, cementing his status as the premier quarterback prospect in this class.
The real intrigue, however, begins with the Jets' position at No. 2 overall. The organization is torn between two highly‑rated pass‑rushers: Arvell Reese and David Bailey. Adding another layer of uncertainty, the fate of the third overall selection remains unclear, prompting speculation about where the remaining top talent might land.
Senior advisor Rick Spielman painted a picture of a win‑win scenario for the Jets, emphasizing that the decision at No. 2 will set the tone for the rest of the draft.
"Everyone knows Mendoza is likely to go first unless something crazy happens, and I don’t expect that," Spielman told Sky Sports. "But the second pick is where we control the rest of the draft. We have our eyes on the two edge‑rushers—David Bailey and Arvell Reese—and by the time we hit the clock on Thursday, the choice will be made." Spielman explained that the front office is currently polishing the final details of the plan.
"We’re just hashing out a few minor items, crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s. I know general manager Darren Mougey will be ready and confident, and whichever way we go, we’ll end up with a great football player," he added. Before joining the Jets, Spielman served as the Miami Dolphins’ general manager in 2004 and later led the Minnesota Vikings from 2012 to 2022. Despite the fog of draft‑day speculation, he insisted the Jets have a clear direction heading into Thursday’s selection.
"Everything is basically settled with the players; we’re just waiting now," Spielman said. "On Thursday, Coach Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey will meet with the ownership to finalize the decision. As they say in the UK, ‘the hay’s in the barn.’ They’ll lock it in with the owner and be ready to pull the trigger when the clock starts." The early weeks of the draft have already seen movement, most notably Dexter Lawrence’s trade from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Bengals, signaling that the draft landscape can shift quickly.
Spielman anticipates further activity, noting that six teams possess multiple first‑round picks and could be looking to trade up. "I’ve spoken with Darren, and a few clubs are already inquiring about moving up to number two," Spielman remarked.
"When I was a top‑10 pick, I got a flood of calls on Thursday. I even completed a trade around two o’clock that day. Everyone is on the phone, negotiating." Analysts at Sky Sports NFL, including Jeff Reinebold, have praised the depth of this year’s edge‑rusher class, calling it the deepest they have ever seen. Reinebold highlighted Bailey’s explosiveness in the pass rush, noting that while Bailey may not excel against the run, his primary value lies in pressuring the quarterback.
"If you’re David Bailey, you’re a dynamic edge‑rusher who makes his money by getting to the quarterback, and he does that better than anyone in this draft," Reinebold said on the Inside the Huddle podcast. Reinebold also discussed Reese’s versatility, describing him as a hybrid player who can line up as an edge, an off‑ball linebacker, or a blend of both. He pointed out that Reese, along with fellow Ohio State standouts Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs, benefits from having been coached by Matt Patricia—formerly a defensive coordinator and head coach in the NFL. "These Ohio State players have spent time in a system modeled after the Patriots defense, which is more complex than typical college schemes," Reinebold explained.
"That experience should make them more prepared for the professional game." The Jets’ decision will not only affect their own roster but could also influence the strategies of other teams with early picks. If the Jets select Reese, they may signal a preference for a versatile, multi‑positional defender, whereas choosing Bailey would underline a commitment to a pure pass‑rushing specialist. Either choice will ripple through the draft board, prompting other franchises to adjust their plans accordingly.
Beyond the immediate pick, the Jets are also preparing for potential trades and maneuvering to maximize the value of their selections. With multiple teams holding more than one first‑round choice, the market for high‑caliber talent is expected to be fluid, and the Jets’ front office appears ready to engage in rapid negotiations. Fans can follow the entire three‑day event live on Sky Sports, with the first day kicking off at 1 a.m. early Friday morning.
As the clock ticks down on Thursday night, all eyes will be on New York as they aim to solidify their defensive future with a top‑tier edge‑rusher, while also setting the stage for the remainder of a draft class that experts are already calling historically deep.