The 2026 NFL Draft is set to kick off on Thursday night, and the New York Jets will be among the first teams to make a pivotal choice as they search for a new cornerstone pass rusher. While the top overall selection is widely expected to go to the Las Vegas Raiders—who will likely take Fernando Mendoza, the premier quarterback prospect of this class—much of the early excitement will revolve around the Jets' position at No. 2 overall.
The central question: will New York select Arvell Reese or David Bailey? And what might happen with the third pick, which remains shrouded in uncertainty? Jets senior advisor Rick Spielman painted a picture of a "win‑win" scenario for the organization, emphasizing that the direction they take with the No. 2 pick will effectively set the tone for the rest of the draft.
"Everyone knows Mendoza is almost a lock at number one unless something truly unexpected happens," Spielman told Sky Sports. "But the second pick is where we get to control the rest of the draft.
We have narrowed our focus to two elite edge rushers—David Bailey and Arvell Reese—and I’m confident that by the time we step up to the clock on Thursday, the decision will be made." Spielman, who previously served as general manager of the Miami Dolphins in 2004 and later led the Minnesota Vikings from 2012 to 2022, stressed that the Jets have already done the heavy lifting on player evaluations. "Everything’s basically done with the scouting reports; we’re just waiting for the clock to start," he explained. "Coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey will meet with ownership Thursday night to lock in the final decision. As they say in the UK, the hay’s in the barn—meaning the choice is already baked in, we just need to formalize it." The Jets are not the only team with a lot at stake early in the draft.
The trade that sent Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Bengals has already shaken up the first round, and Spielman anticipates additional movement as six teams enter the opening round with multiple selections. "We’ve already heard a few teams expressing interest in moving up to number two," he noted. "When I was picking in the top ten, I got a flood of calls on Thursday.
I even completed a trade around 2 a.m. that day.
The market is very active." Experts agree that this year’s edge‑rusher class is exceptionally deep, perhaps the deepest in recent memory. Jeff Reinebold of Sky Sports NFL highlighted the talent of both Bailey and Reese, noting that each brings a distinct skill set. "David Bailey is a pure pass‑rusher; his primary value is pressuring the quarterback, and he does that better than anyone else in the draft," Reinebold said on the Inside the Huddle podcast. "He’s not a run stopper, but his money is made in the backfield, getting to the QB." Reese, on the other hand, offers a hybrid profile.
"He can line up as an edge, drop into an off‑ball linebacker role, or even play a combination of both," Reinebold added. "That versatility makes him extremely attractive, especially in today’s defensive schemes that demand players who can adapt on the fly." Both prospects hail from Ohio State, a program that has produced several high‑profile defensive talents, including Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs. Reinebold argued that their experience under former Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia—who spent a decade in the NFL, including a stint as head coach of the Detroit Lions—gives them a tactical edge. "Patricia ran a Patriots‑style defense at Ohio State, which mirrors many pro‑level concepts.
These players have been exposed to NFL‑type schemes early, so they’ll transition more smoothly to the professional game," he explained. For the Jets, the decision between Reese and Bailey will hinge on their broader defensive philosophy.
If New York wants a pure, high‑velocity pass rusher who can generate pressure without relying on blitzes, Bailey fits the bill. If the coaching staff prefers a more adaptable defender who can line up in multiple positions and contribute to run defense as well, Reese may be the better fit.
Either way, Spielman expressed confidence that the organization will secure a top‑tier talent regardless of the final pick. The draft will unfold over three days, with Sky Sports broadcasting every moment live. Day One begins in the early hours of Friday morning (1 a.m. GMT), and fans can expect a flurry of trades, surprise selections, and strategic maneuvering as teams jockey for position.
The Jets, with their No. 2 slot, will be under a bright spotlight, and the outcome of their decision could shape the trajectory of their defense for years to come. In summary, while the No. 1 pick is likely a foregone conclusion with Fernando Mendoza heading to Las Vegas, the real narrative for the Jets begins at No.
2. The organization has narrowed its focus to two elite edge rushers—Arvell Reese and David Bailey—both of whom bring unique strengths and come from a program steeped in NFL‑style defensive concepts.
Senior advisor Rick Spielman assures that the groundwork has been laid, the scouting reports are complete, and the final decision will be made Thursday night after a final review with ownership. As the draft progresses, the Jets’ choice will not only affect their own roster but also influence the flow of talent across the league, especially as other teams look to trade up or down based on the outcomes of these early selections.