The opening act of the 2026 NFL Draft is set to feature the New York Jets on Thursday night as they weigh their options for a new cornerstone pass rusher. Assuming no dramatic surprises, the top overall selection will almost certainly go to the Las Vegas Raiders, who are expected to claim Fernando Mendoza, the premier quarterback prospect in this class.
The real intrigue, however, lies with the Jets and the No. 2 overall slot.
Will they reach for Arvell Reese, the versatile edge talent from Ohio State, or will they opt for David Bailey, the high‑velocity rusher from the same program? And with the No. 3 pick still shrouded in uncertainty, the Jets’ decision could set off a cascade of moves that reshapes the entire first round. Senior advisor Rick Spielman painted the situation as a win‑win for New York, emphasizing that the direction they choose at No.
2 will effectively dictate the rest of the draft board. "Everyone knows Mendoza is going at number one unless something crazy happens, and I don’t expect that," Spielman told Sky Sports. "But number two – the path we take will control the rest of the draft. We’re looking at two elite pass rushers, David Bailey and Arvell Reese, and by the time the clock starts on Thursday, we’ll have made a decision." Spielman added that the organization is currently ironing out the final details, "cross‑checking the T’s and dotting the I’s" before General Manager Darren Mougey steps up to make the call.
He expressed confidence that, regardless of which name is shouted, the Jets will secure a top‑tier football player who can help turn the franchise’s fortunes around next season. The veteran executive’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. Despite the fog of speculation that typically surrounds draft night, Spielman insisted the Jets have a clear plan heading into Thursday’s selection. "Everything’s pretty much done with the players now; we’re just waiting," he said.
"Coach Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey will meet with the ownership group one more time, lock in the direction, and then we’ll be ready when the clock starts." He even borrowed a British idiom to illustrate the certainty of the decision: "As they say over here, the hay’s in the barn. They’ll finalize it with the owner on Thursday and then get ready to go once the clock starts on Thursday night." The draft landscape has already shifted in unexpected ways. Dexter Lawrence’s trade from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Bengals was an early shake‑up, and Spielman anticipates more movement as six teams enter the first round with multiple selections.
"I’ve heard a couple of teams inquire about trading up to number two," he revealed. "When I was a top‑10 pick, I got a lot of calls on Thursday. I even made a trade around two o’clock that day.
Everyone is talking to everyone else." 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 both Bailey and Reese as the class’s marquee names.
"David Bailey is a dynamic edge rusher. He may not be a run‑stopper, but his money is made by pressuring the quarterback, and he does that better than anyone else in the draft," Reinebold said on the Inside the Huddle podcast. He also noted Reese’s hybrid skill set: "Reese is a blend of edge and off‑ball linebacker.
He can line up on the line of scrimmage or drop into coverage, making him a versatile weapon." Both prospects share another advantage: they come from Ohio State, a program that has benefited from the tutelage of former NFL defensive coordinator and Patriots head coach Matt Patricia. "Those Ohio State players have spent time in a system modeled after the Patriots defense, which is more complex than most college schemes," Reinebold explained. "That experience should help them transition to the pro level more smoothly." The Jets, meanwhile, are not just looking at raw talent but also at scheme fit.
Coach Aaron Glenn’s defensive philosophy emphasizes aggressive edge play, and both Bailey and Reese could thrive under his system. The decision may hinge on whether New York prefers a pure pass‑rusher like Bailey, who excels in generating quarterback pressure, or a more adaptable athlete like Reese, who can contribute in multiple roles, including coverage and run support. Beyond the No. 2 pick, the Jets will also be watching the No.
3 slot closely. If they pass on one of the Ohio State pass rushers, they could still land a high‑impact player at the next spot, depending on how other teams move. The fluid nature of draft‑day trades means that the Jets could find themselves with additional picks or may need to trade down if a trade partner offers a package that aligns with their long‑term roster strategy. In summary, the Jets enter Thursday’s draft night with a clear hierarchy: secure the top quarterback for the Raiders, then decide between Arvell Reese and David Bailey to anchor their defensive line.
Their choice will not only shape the remainder of the first round but also signal the strategic direction the franchise intends to pursue in the coming years. Fans can catch every moment of the three‑day event live on Sky Sports, with Day One kicking off at 1 a.m.
early Friday morning.