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 premier pass rusher. While the top overall selection is expected to go to the Las Vegas Raiders—who will likely take Fernando Mendoza, the premier quarterback prospect in this class— the real intrigue for the Jets centers on the No.
2 slot. The big question: will they choose Arvell Reese or David Bailey?
And with the No. 3 pick still shrouded in uncertainty, where might the other prospect land? Jets senior advisor Rick Spielman painted a picture of a win‑win scenario for the franchise, hoping that a decisive move at No.
2 will set the tone for a turnaround on the field next season. "Everyone knows Mendoza is going to be the first pick 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’ve narrowed it down to two edge rushers—David Bailey and Arvell Reese—and by the time our clock starts Thursday, the decision will be made." He added that the organization is finalizing the finer points of the deal, "dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s," and expressed confidence that General Manager Darren Mougey will be ready to execute whichever choice they make. Spielman’s résumé includes a stint as GM of the Miami Dolphins in 2004 and a decade‑long tenure with the Minnesota Vikings from 2012 to 2022, lending weight to his assessment that the Jets have a clear direction heading into Thursday’s selection. According to Spielman, the process is essentially complete: "Everything’s pretty much done with the players now; it’s just a matter of waiting.
On Thursday, Coach Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey will meet with the ownership group one final time to lock in the decision. As they say in the UK, the hay’s in the barn—meaning the choice is already made, they just need to formalize it before the clock starts." The draft landscape has already seen some early movement, most notably Dexter Lawrence’s trade from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Bengals, a deal that has added a layer of unpredictability to the first round. Spielman anticipates further activity, noting that six teams now possess multiple picks in the opening round.
"I’ve heard a few teams expressing interest in trading up to the No. 2 spot," he said. "When I was a top‑10 pick, I got a flood of calls on Thursday. I even made a trade around two o’clock that day, so the phones have been buzzing." Jeff Reinebold of Sky Sports NFL weighed in on the depth of this year’s edge‑rusher class, calling it the deepest he has ever seen, with Reese and Bailey leading the pack.
Reinebold highlighted Bailey’s specialization, stating, "He’s a dynamic pass rusher whose value comes from pressuring the quarterback, not from stopping the run. He excels at getting to the QB more than anyone else in the draft." Regarding Reese, Reinebold described him as a hybrid talent, capable of playing both on the edge and as an off‑ball linebacker, adding that his versatility makes him a unique asset. Reinebold also pointed out the advantage Ohio State players enjoy, citing the program’s exposure to NFL‑style schemes under former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
"These kids have been groomed in a system that mirrors the Patriots’ defense, so they arrive at the professional level better prepared for the complexity of the pro game," he explained. If the Jets ultimately select either Reese or Bailey, they will be adding a player from a class that is widely regarded as exceptionally deep at the defensive end position. Both prospects bring distinct skill sets: Bailey is praised for his relentless pass‑rush moves and ability to generate pressure without relying on run‑stopping duties, while Reese offers a blend of edge speed and linebacker instincts, making him a flexible option for various defensive schemes.
Beyond the immediate pick, the Jets’ strategy appears to be focused on establishing a dominant front seven that can disrupt opposing quarterbacks and create turnover opportunities. By securing a top‑tier edge rusher, they aim to complement their existing defensive personnel and give head coach Aaron Glenn a cornerstone around which to build a more aggressive, pressure‑focused defense.
The broader context of the draft also includes the potential for the Jets to maneuver further, either by trading up or down, depending on how the early selections unfold. With multiple teams holding extra picks, the market for elite defensive talent is likely to be competitive, and the Jets’ front office will need to stay agile. Fans can follow the entire three‑day event live on Sky Sports, with Day One kicking off in the early hours of Friday morning. As the clock ticks down on Thursday night, all eyes will be on the Jets’ decision‑making process, waiting to see whether Arvell Reese or David Bailey will become the next cornerstone of New York’s defense and how that choice will shape the rest of the draft for the franchise.