The New York Jets are facing a big one when they are on the clock at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft. Armed with two first-round picks on Day 1 – No. 2 and No. 16 – it figures to be a long night for general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn.
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With the Las Vegas Raiders expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Jets will have their choice of pass-rusher. And that all comes down to a matter of preference, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“The New York Jets plan to select a pass rusher,” Schefter said, during an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up” on April 22. “I think everybody across the league knows that. The question is whether it’s going to be David Bailey or whether it’s going to be Arvell Reese.”
There has been a well-documented debate between those prospects in this year’s class, but no one seems to have an idea of the Jets’ plans. ESPN’s Peter Schrager noted on April 21 that there are no leaks coming out of the team’s facility, meaning everyone is guessing at this stage.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
On a defense already dotted with stars, Reese rose from an occasional contributor to a bona fide star in his first full season as a starter. The 6-4, 241-pound linebacker exhibited uncommon fluidity for a player of his size, finding equal comfort dropping back in coverage as bullying his way into the backfield. His pass-rush plan is still rather rudimentary at the moment, but he has the toolkit of a double-digit sack artist. In a league where defenses are constantly taxed against the pass and run, Reese displays a unique aptitude for detonating whatever play an offense might throw at him.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
On a defense already dotted with stars, Reese rose from an occasional contributor to a bona fide star in his first full season as a starter. The 6-4, 241-pound linebacker exhibited uncommon fluidity for a player of his size, finding equal comfort dropping back in coverage as bullying his way into the backfield. His pass-rush plan is still rather rudimentary at the moment, but he has the toolkit of a double-digit sack artist. In a league where defenses are constantly taxed against the pass and run, Reese displays a unique aptitude for detonating whatever play an offense might throw at him.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
It’s a testament to Mendoza’s impeccable body of work that the pre-draft vivisection of his game has largely only turned up questions of how he’ll fare operating from under center rather than in the shotgun.
No one will confuse the 6-5, 236-pound Heisman Trophy winner with the likes of Cam Ward or Drake Maye, as he’s not particularly creative or dangerous when a play breaks down. But that’s about the only phase in which Mendoza comes up short. He’s as precise as any passer you’ll find from the college ranks, and he comfortably works through progressions and manipulates coverages. His arm strength isn’t otherworldly, but he can attack every level with suitable velocity on his throws. Forcing him off his spot can throw him off his rhythm, but Mendoza rarely loses his cool under pressure and still conjures solutions when things aren’t going his way. Beyond the improvisational shortcomings, he’s the picture of a top-tier quarterback prospect.
More: Why Fernando Mendoza won’t be at NFL draft: Indiana QB staying home
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The hyperbole inherent to NFL draft evaluations doesn’t seem so outlandish when it’s being attached to Love. For the 6-0, 213-pound Heisman Trophy finalist, everything starts with his game-breaking speed, which allows him to turn the corner with ease or jet through even the narrowest of openings on the interior. And once he has a step on the defense, he’s extremely unlikely to be caught. He’s far from just a linear threat, however, as his distinct creativity shines through in the open field – particularly when he unleashes his spin move or hurdle. Operating in a different gear than everyone else has created some inconsistencies in his early pacing, but it’s rarely something that derails him. His elite skill set also carries over to his work as a pass catcher, where he can further vex defenses that won’t likely have an answer when he lines up in the slot or out wide. It’s fair to hold onto questions of positional value for running backs, but Love is unquestionably among a select few who deserve to be seen as this class’ difference-makers.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami
No defender in college football broke open games last season quite like Bain, who led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 83 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. The 6-2, 263-pounder frequently took the shortest path possible to the quarterback, uprooting anyone who stood in his way. Bain’s atypical build for an edge rusher – including his short arms – invited plenty of scrutiny about how he might translate to the pro ranks, but he’s already demonstrated he can mitigate the concern. If he’s neutralized, it seems unlikely that it’ll become a common occurrence.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
After arriving at Ohio State as an elite athlete searching for a true position, Styles departs Columbus having developed an unparalleled proficiency for the intricacies of linebacker play. The 6-5, 244-pound former safety could be counted on to be in the right place to plug the run at all times, and he still has room to grow in coverage and as a blitzer. Clean in everything he does, Styles can help be a standard-bearer for whatever defense he joins.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
From his first snaps at Alabama as a five-star freshman to his final push at Ohio State, Downs put himself in a class all his own at safety. The two-time unanimous All-American repeatedly snuffed out plays before they could get started, particularly against the run or near the line of scrimmage. While he doesn’t measure up as a physical marvel like Kyle Hamilton or Derwin James, he could have the same bottom-line effect for a defense, even if he doesn’t match their ball production. His position might prevent him from cracking the top five, but he’ll force offenses to account for him on every down.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
Right off the snap, Bailey gets offensive linemen on their toes. The 6-4, 251-pound edge rusher’s explosion off the ball can get blockers off balance in an instant, at which point Bailey can attack them by changing course or unleashing a spin move. Bailey’s lean frame can result in him being eradicated in the run game at times, but players who can derail opposing passers with his level of efficiency can’t be ignored. It shouldn’t be long into his NFL transition before his pressure rate ticks up and he takes his place as one of the league’s most threatening matchups off the edge.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
He was never the WR1 in the Buckeyes’ loaded receiver room, but Tate stands above the rest of the pass-catching options in this class. With subtle shifts in his tempo and sudden breaks in his routes, the 6-2, 192-pound target creates separation without much strain. He settles into open spaces against zone and skies over defensive backs to haul in difficult passes down the sideline. He might not look the part of a go-to target, but he measures up to the title in almost every respect.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Not long into his foray into the Southeastern Conference, the Virginia Tech transfer made clear to opponents that he was not to be tested. Delane rapidly earned the title of shutdown corner, with teams almost universally opting to avoid throwing his way. At the next level, he figures to draw comparisons to Trent McDuffie – another cornerback who doesn’t let his size or limited ball production prevent him from being recognized as a first-tier cover man.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
In an earlier era, Lemon might have been dismissed as a slot receiver not capable of being an offensive focal point. Now, however, there shouldn’t be much doubt about how much the Biletnikoff Award winner can shoulder. Lemon is a maestro when it comes to getting open underneath, and he can be counted on to vacuum up any throw that approaches his area. And teams that underestimate his downfield credentials could end up paying if they try to sit on short and intermediate throws.
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NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
A torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered last January kept McCoy out of commission for all of last season and clouded his pre-draft process. But in a stellar pro day showing, the 6-1, 188-pound corner served up a reminder that he has all the trappings of a top-tier cover man. With superlative ball skills and ample tools to stick with receivers throughout their routes, McCoy can grow into a standout in any defensive scheme.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
After his impressive performance at the NFL scouting combine, Thieneman rocketed into the discussion of this draft’s premier defensive backs. Easy coverage instincts extend his already expansive range, and vigilance is required for any passing attack that throws to his area of the field. He can’t measure up to Downs or some of the other safeties in this class when operating closer to the line of scrimmage, but he shouldn’t be asked to serve in that capacity too frequently anyway.
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NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
13. Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Even with everything crumbling around him in Penn State’s calamitous season, Ioane still held firm. The 6-5, 320-pound left guard is a brick wall in pass protection, but where he really shines is in his forceful displacements in the run game. Ioane will have to figure out a way to handle quick-twitch defensive tackles who will test his fluidity, but he’s one of the more reliable prospects in this class.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami
Solid to the core, the former five-star recruit holds his ground against the pass and forces opposing linemen out of the way with his strong first contact. But while there’s not much mystery to the 6-6, 329-pounder’s play, there are several unknowns about his projection. A move inside could be in his future to safeguard against concerns that he’ll be beaten by rangy edge rushers, but the skill set is there to hang at right tackle.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Smooth movements allow Fano to conjure answers for even the speediest edge rushers. He still could have trouble with rangier defenders, however, as well as ones who can convert speed to power and knock him off base. Like many offensive tackles in this class, he’ll face questions of whether he belongs at the position, with some question of whether he should head to center.
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NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
From his massive frame (6-7, 315 pounds) to his quickness, Freeling checks off some of the most notable boxes for a high-end left tackle. As a one-year starter, his technique is still a work in progress, with some bad habits sapping his efficacy. But he’s clearly on an upward trajectory, and teams might be eager to buy on an ascendant blocker.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Few receivers are true separators at all three levels. Concepcion qualifies as just that, with more than enough quickness and speed to free himself from coverage at any point on the field. Drops have dogged him, but he could shake the issue in short order. Versatile and dynamic, Concepcion is more refined than he gets credit for, and he could become a vital part of an aerial attack with more polish.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The ultimate seam threat, Sadiq accelerates in a manner not seen from 6-3, 241-pound pass catchers. Though he’s proven himself after the catch, much of his value remains somewhat theoretical, as his experience and workload in the downfield passing game haven’t aligned with his capabilities. But as an instant mismatch creator and aggressive run blocker, he can change the complexion of whatever offense he joins.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Some will see a 6-4, 210-pound body and assume Boston relies on pulling down jump balls in close quarters. But while tilting those throws in his favor is his best feature, it’s far from his only one. Boston has impressive fluidity for a player with his physical make-up, and his tracking and midair adjustments make him an even more confounding coverage assignment.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Though he might not be an all-around coverage maven, McNeil-Warren is comfortable exerting his will from several different vantage points. He rallies to the ball in a hurry in run support, working his way through traffic to deliver big hits. And though his 6-4, 201-pound build limits his comfort zone in coverage, he can give both quarterbacks and receivers pause on attempting any throws over the middle.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Once seen as the clear-cut favorite to be the first receiver selected, Tyson now might be the most polarizing pass catcher in this class. Quick and crisp when he’s dialed in, he has a robust set of maneuvers to beat man coverage from various spots. But medical concerns from various ailments muddle his draft outlook, and he can be inefficient with his footwork.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami
Having just turned 25 with an extensive injury history, Mesidor enters the draft with red flags that might tank other prospects’ stock. Teams that look past those issues, however, will see an advanced and unrelenting pass rusher with a deep bag of tricks to beat blockers. Mesidor might be one of the most divisive prospects in this class in his projection, but there’s not much to object to with the on-field product.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
With McCoy sidelined, Hood did a commendable job of filling in as the Volunteers’ primary asset in coverage. The Colorado transfer kept the competitive juices flowing in shutting down tight-window throws as well as making his presence felt against the run. He can’t match McCoy in overall fluidity, but he still sizes up as a meaningful counter in man coverage for bigger receivers.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Other receivers are sure to be more vexing coverage matchups than the 6-0, 199-pound target. Cooper, however, has a truly distinct aptitude for slipping tacklers in the open field. His penchant for racking up yards after the catch should carry over to the NFL and endear him to his future quarterback, as should his aggressive approach to fighting through contact and operating in traffic.
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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
In a class rife with right tackles and expected guard converts, Lomu stands out as a true blindside protector. Bulking up will be an essential step for the 6-6, 313-pounder to hold his own against more powerful edge rushers, but there’s considerable room for growth on top of the enticing glimpses of his potential he’s already displayed.
Bailey has been defined as the more “pro-ready” prospect that also profiles as a traditional edge. Reese is considered to possess the higher ceiling, but it’s unclear whether he fits in best as a pass-rusher or off-ball linebacker at the next level.
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That, Schefter says, is the big difference in the Jets’ decision.
“I can tell you there is a feeling across the league that David Bailey is the most effective, productive pass rusher coming out of this draft,” Schefter said. “Arvell Reese may have some more upside and that could be something the Jets decide they want to bet on. But I think the feeling continues to be the sense is the Jets will go Bailey. But again, they have been very intentional about not advertising their pick to anybody.”
JETS 7-ROUND MOCK DRAFT: New York picks Arvell Reese, potential QB of the future
New York raised some eyebrows when they opted to cancel Bailey’s top-30 visit ahead of the draft, but Mougey dismissed that news having any impact on the final selection.
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“In regards to David, we had good touch points with him at the combine,” Mougey said. “We went to his pro day, had a good dinner with him. We were just kinda juggling our 30 and how to use them. I wouldn’t look too much into a cancelation because there were other ones we may have changed as well.”
Of course, what the Jets do with the second pick directly impacts everyone behind them. Rumors have swirled about the Arizona Cardinals’ desire to potentially trade back and the interest other teams have in moving up. With no indication of New York’s plans, it can be hard for any team to feel confident about the options they’ll have on the clock.
In other words, everyone will just have to wait-and-see. Even if that means waiting until the pick is officially announced.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who will the Jets draft? Arvell Reese, David Bailey decision explained
