For months, the New York Jets were overwhelmingly expected to select Oregon quarterback Dante Moore with the first of their two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft.

Then, Moore announced his decision to return to Oregon for the 2026 season, drastically shifting the expectations for New York.

Now that 10 days have passed since Moore’s decision, there has been enough time for the consensus to shift its prediction for the Jets’ second overall pick—and a clear-cut favorite has emerged.

Here is the top 16 of the latest consensus mock draft as of Jan. 24, 2026, courtesy of NFL Mock Draft Database.

  1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (100% of picks)
  2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State (72%)
  3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (28%)
  4. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami (34%)
  5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (32%)
  6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (31%)
  7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (38%)
  8. New Orleans Saints: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (22%)
  9. Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson (9%)
  10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (22%)
  11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (30%)
  12. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (34%)
  13. Los Angeles Rams: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (30%)
  14. Baltimore Ravens: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (10%)
  15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (30%)
  16. New York Jets: Makai Lemon, WR, USC (21%)

Garnering 72% of selections in the site’s database, Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese has emerged as the clear-cut favorite to be chosen second overall by the Jets.

Reese is listed as a linebacker, but many evaluators expect him to shift to a full-time edge role in the NFL, which justifies his valuation as a possible top-two pick. Reese showcased tantalizing potential as a pass rusher over his limited opportunities to pursue the quarterback in Columbus.

The Gang Green faithful view the Jets’ decision at No. 2 much differently than the national consensus. According to a recent poll with over 1,200 votes from Jets fans, 43% of voters preferred Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain with the second overall pick.

Reese came in second, all the way down at 28%, a far cry from the 72% rate he owns nationwide. Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey was close behind Reese, garnering 22% of the votes.

Meanwhile, down at No. 16, the consensus expects the Jets to select USC wideout Makai Lemon, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound true junior. Lemon offers a fantastic resume in critical aspects of the wide receiver position, suggesting he has a high chance of panning out in the NFL.

For now, it appears that folks around the country are expecting the Jets to walk out of Pittsburgh with Reese and Lemon as their new franchise cornerstones. Jets fans, though, do not seem to think the team’s draft outlook is nearly as cut-and-dry as mock drafters around the world.