The opening act of the 2026 NFL Draft will feature the New York Jets on Thursday night as they deliberate over their next premier pass rusher. Assuming there are no unexpected twists, the Las Vegas Raiders are projected to select Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, as he is widely regarded as the top quarterback prospect in this class.
The real intrigue, however, begins at the second spot, where the Jets must decide between two highly touted edge players: Arvell Reese and David Bailey. The uncertainty deepens further when considering who might fall to the third pick and how the Jets could maneuver to secure additional talent. Jets senior advisor Rick Spielspiel painted a picture of a win‑win scenario for the organization, hoping that the right choice will help reverse the team’s fortunes on the field next season.
"We’re all very excited because everybody knows it’s going to be Mendoza at number one unless something crazy happens, but I don’t anticipate that," Spielman told Sky Sports. "But number two, basically the direction that we go will control the rest of the draft.
So everybody knows we’re looking at the two pass rushers—David Bailey and Arvell Reese—and I know by the time we get on the clock Thursday, that decision will be made." He added that the Jets are currently fine‑tuning the final details of the deal. "We’re just hashing out some minor things right now, going through one last crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s on everything. So I know general manager Darren Mougey will be ready to go and pretty confident, whichever way we go, we’re going to get a great football player." Spielman’s résumé includes a stint as general manager of the Miami Dolphins in 2004 and a decade‑long tenure with the Minnesota Vikings from 2012 to 2022, giving him a wealth of experience in high‑stakes draft decisions. Even though the draft window is often described as a haze of speculation and strategic maneuvering, Spielman insisted that the Jets have a clear path in mind for Thursday night’s pick.
"Everything’s pretty much done with the players now, it’s just kind of sitting and waiting," he said. "And then I know Thursday, coach Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey will get together in the office and just one more time, they’ll probably sit together with the ownership group on the direction we’re going to go. As they say over here in the UK, the hay’s in the barn.
But they’ll finalise it with the owner on Thursday and then get ready to go once the clock starts on Thursday night." The early draft week has already seen a surprise when Dexter Lawrence was traded from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Bengals, indicating that the first round could be more fluid than usual. Spielman expects further movement, noting that six teams have multiple picks in the opening round. "I know, just speaking with Darren Mougey, there’s been a couple of teams inquiring about trading up to number two," he explained. "When I did pick in the top 10, I got a lot of calls on Thursday.
I did one trade I think Thursday around two o’clock. So everybody is calling each other." Sky Sports NFL analyst Jeff Reinebold highlighted the depth of this year’s edge‑rusher class, describing it 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‑stop specialist, his primary value lies in disrupting passing attacks.
"If you’re David Bailey and you are an edge who’s a dynamic pass rusher, he isn’t great against the run, but he isn’t making his money to stop the run, he’s making his money getting to the quarterback and he does that better than anybody in the draft," Reinebold said on Inside the Huddle. Reinebold also praised Reese for his versatility, 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, including Reese, Sonny Styles, and Caleb Downs, hail from Ohio State and have benefited from coaching under Matt Patricia, a former NFL defensive coordinator and head coach. "These kids have played in a system at Ohio State that mirrors the Patriots defense, so they will come into the game better prepared," Reinebold added, emphasizing the pro‑level preparation these players possess.
For Jets fans and draft enthusiasts, the stakes are high. Selecting the right pass rusher could provide the defensive spark the franchise has been craving, while also influencing subsequent picks and potential trades.
The decision between Reese’s hybrid skill set and Bailey’s pure pass‑rush explosiveness will likely shape the Jets’ defensive identity for years to come. Beyond the immediate pick, the Jets must also consider how to leverage their position to acquire additional assets. With multiple teams eyeing the second slot, the possibility of a trade‑up or trade‑down scenario remains open. If the Jets decide to move down, they could amass extra picks or veteran players, further bolstering their roster depth.
The excitement builds as the clock ticks down to Thursday night. The Jets, led by coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey, will convene with ownership to lock in their strategy. Whether they choose Reese, Bailey, or perhaps a surprise third‑round talent, the outcome will set the tone for New York’s 2026 season and beyond.
Fans can follow every moment of the three‑day draft event on Sky Sports, with live coverage beginning in the early hours of Friday morning. The anticipation is palpable, and the Jets’ decision will be one of the most closely watched moments of the entire draft weekend.