New NFL Draft Rumors on Jets' No. 2 Pick Decision Amid David Bailey, Arvell Reese Buzz

With the Las Vegas Raiders widely expected to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, the intrigue for the 2026 NFL draft essentially starts with the New York Jets at No. 2.

And two pass-rushers are reportedly on their radar.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported Thursday that New York is expected to take either Texas Tech's David Bailey or Ohio State's Arvell Reese while noting "most of the league" believes the pick will be the Red Raiders star.

Jones explained the league see it as a debate between potential and immediate production with Bailey "considered to be the more pro-ready prospect" at 22 years old with plenty of experience at Stanford and then Texas Tech compared to the 20-year-old Reese who played more of a hybrid linebacker role than pure pass-rusher with the Buckeyes in fewer games.

"Bailey is the surest one but Arvell is gonna be a star," a defensive coordinator said. "Arvell needs some time and the Jets need someone right now."

Arvell Reese highlights

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This comes after Robert Sanchez and Connor Hughes of SNY reported Wednesday that New York canceled its top-30 visit with Bailey even though it did meet with Reese.

It should be noted that does not rule the Jets out from selecting Bailey. Perhaps they know what they will get in the Texas Tech pass-rusher and wanted to save their meetings for prospects with more question marks surrounding them. 

They may even already know they are taking Bailey and want to use their meetings to throw other teams off the scent.

In the latest mock draft from B/R's NFL Scouting Department, Reese went No. 2 overall to the Jets and Bailey went No. 3 overall to the Arizona Cardinals. That underscores how close they are as prospects, as does the latest big board from B/R that ranks Reese as the fourth-best player in the draft and Bailey as the seventh-best one.

All eyes will be on the Jets come next Thursday, and they can at least take solace knowing their defense's overall ceiling will be higher regardless of which player they take.