NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah breaks down Jets' top options at No. 2
· Yahoo Sports
The New York Jets are sitting on one of the most important decisions in the 2026 NFL draft. They're in an enviable spot, holding the second overall. The team has a chance to add a game-changer, and the expectation is simple. Make the correct decision.
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Two names continue to surface as the likely options: edge David Bailey (Texas Tech Red Raiders) and linebacker Arvell Reese (Ohio State Buckeyes). Both bring intrigue. Both offer upside, and both received passing grades from NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein as expected.
David Bailey is understandably mentioned as a "year one starter," while Arvel Reese is labeled a "Pro Bowl talent."
Jets scouts are familiar with this position. At this time of year, production is as important as projection. Zierlein gives Davis Bailey a grade of 6.78, meaning they project him as a year-one starter. Reese is actually graded higher (7.04), which means he is expected to be a "Pro Bowl talent."
Both offer a rare combination of traits, coachability, and physical tools that translate to the NFL. Neither is completely polished. They're plug-and-play prospects and seemingly sure things. There doesn't seem to be any concerns about either player morphing into draft busts.
Bailey was the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and a Unanimous All-American last season. Reese was a Consensus All-American and the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, this after he was part of the previous season's College Football Playoff National Championship-winning team.
Modern defenses aren’t static. They move. They adjust. They require players who can do more than one thing at a high level. Reese and Bailey check the boxes in a way few prospects in this class can. So no, these aren't flashy comparisons meant to grab headlines. They're something more telling. These may be glimpses into how the Jets might be thinking when they’re finally on the clock.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah breaks down Jets' top options at No. 2