Kudos, Darren Mougey, Aaron Glenn, and the entire New York Jets organization. Not only do you deserve a firm pat on the back, but you’re entitled to an entire bouquet of flowers while a Madison Square Garden-sized capacity crowd stands on its feet, wildly applauding.
The reality that the NFL media machine has no idea which way the Jets are going at No. 2 in the 2026 NFL draft is something else. Seriously.
For those who pored over the tape, it really shouldn’t be a close call: Arvell Reese is the far superior player to David Bailey. Yet, much like last season, when reports of “infatuation” over Tyler Warren forced a great majority to choose him as the Jets’ first-round pick, the NFL draft media machine is widely on Bailey as the No. 2 overall mocked choice.
Last year, Armand Membou felt like the pick all along, and it made all the sense in the world when considering Aaron Glenn’s run-first and physical offensive vision. This season follows the same pattern, only on the defensive side of the ball.
Arvell Reese is that dude whose skills are perfect for this specific coach. He’s not positionless; he’s versatile. He’s not a project; he’s complete. He’s not raw; he comes equipped with a football IQ and overall instincts that shock the senses when watching the tape of a 20-year-old.
The only reason a great majority of NFL fans believe otherwise is the machine’s one-track, extremely stale mindset that considers only pass rushing. Yet, frustratingly, pass-rushing is just one of many traits NFL defenders must bring to the field today.
That rationale is precisely why Bailey is the prospect who’s more likely to bust and who brings a much lower ceiling and floor into the professional ranks. While Reese can win in a bevy of ways, Bailey can only win with speed and quickness, making his point-of-attack play highly suspect.
His one-dimensional mindset — coupled with rarely playing within structure in college — makes his transition much trickier than the so-called experts would have everyone believe.
While nothing the Jets do could shock my senses at this point, from a pure football perspective, choosing Bailey over Reese is akin to football malpractice. Nevertheless, a big board is necessary for the entire first round, and that’s why we’re here right now.
Jets’ big board notes
This New York Jets’ big board isn’t your average ranking.
Firstly, Fernando Mendoza is removed, courtesy of the circumstances (the Las Vegas Raiders predicted to select him No. 1 overall). Secondly, Ty Simpson is in this mix, but he won’t show high on the list, despite my higher view of the prospect than the average evaluator.
While nobody believes the Jets will select an offensive tackle in the first round, it’s tough to boot Francis Mauigoa, Monroe Freeling, and Spencer Fano from the big board entirely.
Obviously, positional value and need are major factors. In other words, this isn’t an overall prospect ranking list, although a quick, at-a-glance one is provided at the end.
11-24
- 24. Kenyon Sadiq (TE-Oregon)
- 23. Colton Hood (CB-Tennessee)
- 22. Spencer Fano (OT-Utah)
- 21. Ty Simpson (QB-Alabama)
- 20. David Bailey (ED-Texas Tech)
- 19. Monroe Freeling (OT-Georgia)
- 18. Peter Woods (IDL-Clemson)
- 17. Akheem Mesidor (ED-Miami)
- 16. Francis Mauigoa (OT-Miami)
- 15. Kayden McDonald (IDL-Ohio State)
- 14. Omar Cooper Jr. (WR-Indiana)
- 13. KC Concepcion (WR-Texas A&M)
- 12. Dillon Thieneman (S-Oregon)
- 11. Sonny Styles (LB-Ohio State)
Ty Simpson clocks in at No. 21, making it unlikely he’d be selected No. 16 — if this big board were the gospel.
Yes, the David Bailey and Sonny Styles fans are still screaming after seeing these two names in the 11-24 range, but hey, it is what it is. I’ve extensively detailed my concerns with Bailey (who projects more like a situational pass-rusher at the next level, which demands the right situation), whereas Styles’s value has shot through the roof in an unrealistic way.
The Jets fans who cannot get Vernon Gholston out of their minds should be more concerned with Styles as opposed to Reese. Although Gholston and Styles don’t compare in terms of prototype — Gholston’s change-of-direction was questionable, whereas his football IQ was horrendous, both of which Styles excels at — taking on the green-dot Mike role in the NFL is no easy feat.
Of the four Ohio State defenders on this big board, there’s no question that Reese provided the most on-field value to the Buckeye defense. His play at edge and on the second level lifted his teammates more than the other way around.
Top 10
10. Rueben Bain Jr. (ED-Miami)
Rueben Bain Jr.’s short arms are a concern, but the greater concern is his weight. I’d feel more comfortable with him if he were closer to 280 pounds, as he could play more on the inside.
9. Mansoor Delane (CB-LSU)
Mansoor Delane clocking in at No. 9 may look strange, but there’s a very good reason for it: The Jets’ positional need forces these spots to look a lot thinner. Plus, this class just isn’t as good as the average NFL draft class.
8. Makai Lemon (WR-USC)
Quite honestly, I’m not in love with the idea of the top three wide receivers separating themselves from the pack. It’s also tough to select a top-10 wideout with Makai Lemon’s non-stratospheric-type explosiveness. Nonetheless, New York desperately needs weapons, so the cagey weapon slides in at No. 8.
7. Jermod McCoy (CB-Tennessee)
Jermod McCoy’s ceiling is outstanding, but it’s tough to gamble on a top-10 pick with an injury history. The Jets’ sneaky cornerback need is why the Tennessee corner is No. 7, and he remains one of the truest wild cards of this draft.
6. Jordyn Tyson (WR-Arizona St.)
Speaking of injuries, here comes Jordyn Tyson. To be frank, I want no part of him in the top 10, and even taking him at No. 16 is a tough task. Yet, his explosiveness is so apparent that consideration is required.
5. Jeremiyah Love (RB-Notre Dame)
Nobody wants the Jets to select a running back at No. 2, even if it is Jeremiyah Love. The positional value is indisputable, and Breece Hall’s employment makes it an odd fit. Still, Jeremiyah Love is that damn good.
4. Olaivavega Ioane (IOL-Penn State)
As boring as another offensive line selection would be, if Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane somehow drops to No. 16, the Jets need to run to the podium. This is true despite the team’s pressing need at wideout.
3. Caleb Downs (S-Ohio State)
Caleb Downs may be a bit undersized, but his instincts and football IQ are both special. Again, this type of prospect shouldn’t be this high on the big board, but this is the reality of the Jets’ unique situation this offseason.
2. Carnell Tate (WR-Ohio State)
If by some crazy circumstance that demands the Jets select a player other than Reese at No. 2, it would have to be Carnell Tate. His straight-line speed isn’t out of this world, but his route-running is crazy efficient and extremely smart (no wasted movement), while his contested-catch game brings a much-needed element.
1. Arvell Reese (ED-Ohio State)
Arvell Reese instantly modernizes the New York Jets defense. Not only should he be the indisputed top player on the Jets’ big board, but he’s the best prospect in the 2026 NFL draft class.
In a class that’s less than stellar, Reese is the outlier. That mindset makes the Jets’ situation in the two-hole one of great fortune.
Prospect rankings
Here are my quick-glance prospect rankings that do not factor in the New York Jets’ needs and situation, as well as NFL positional value…
- Arvell Reese (ED-Ohio State)
- Jeremiyah Love (RB-Notre Dame)
- Olaivavega Ioane (IOL-Penn State)
- Caleb Downs (S-Ohio State)
- Carnell Tate (WR-Ohio State)
- Francis Mauigoa (OT-Miami)
- Jermod McCoy (CB-Tennessee)
- Rueben Bain Jr. (ED-Miami)
- Sonny Styles (LB-Ohio State)
- Mansoor Delane (CB-LSU)
It’s boring, but Ioane is No. 3 on the list. Interior offensive linemen don’t get the love they deserve, but that changes on my list.
Meanwhile, Fernando Mendoza, who’s not seen in the top 10, would probably fall somewhere in the 15-25 range. David Bailey would fall somewhere in the teens.
For the New York Jets, it’s a strange draft. After Arvell Reese, the dropoff is immense. At No. 16, it becomes tricky due to the lack of first-round talent as a whole.
