With the Raiders all but guaranteed to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall, there is more intrigue surrounding the Jets at No. 2. A pair of Ohio State linebackers, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, as well as Texas Tech edge defender David Bailey are candidates for New York’s top selection. Still two-plus weeks away from having to make a decision on April 23, the Jets are “leaning toward” Reese, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.
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Reese’s versatility may tip the scales in his favor as the Jets transition to a 3-4 base defense that will use multiple fronts. As Cimini notes, Reese played 356 snaps at outside linebacker and 238 as an off-ball LB in 2025. Reese handled all responsibilities with aplomb during a season in which he earned consensus All-America honors and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year. The 6-foot-4, 241-pounder totaled 69 tackles, 10 TFL and 6.5 sacks over 14 games.
Although Reese did not post gaudy numbers in 2024 (43 tackles and a half-sack in 16 games), Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is unconcerned. In that regard, Glenn likens Reese to Texans five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter, who recorded just 4.5 sacks in three years at LSU. Hunter has since racked up 114.5 during a prolific decade in the pros.
“His stats weren’t up there, but he had all the traits and he’s had a coach that can coach him to be where he’s at right now,” Glenn said of Hunter (via Cimini). “So I look at [Reese] the same way. Man, it’s a combination of the traits and this combination of the football character again. Is that player coachable enough to be able to do the things that you want him to do to be successful?”
By now, Glenn and the Jets should have a good idea of whether Reese is “coachable.” Jets brass took extra time to meet with Reese at Ohio State’s pro day in late March. They also dined with Reese in Columbus, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Cimini). If the Jets draft Reese, it would give them another pass rusher to join holdover Will McDonald and free agent pickups Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. He would also supply another off-ball option to a team that reunited with Demario Davis in free agency and has Jamien Sherwood entering the second season of a three-year, $45MM deal.
Turning to other early draft possibilities for the Jets, it would count as “an upset” if they pass on taking a wide receiver sometime in the first two rounds, Cimini writes. No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell will play big roles in 2026, but the Jets have little else at the position. Considering the team owns four of the draft’s top 44 picks, that could change soon.
Reese’s success or failure will come down to the defensive coordinator and how much they take advantage of his versatility. He is a Swiss Army knife and if you only use the knife part you’re wasting a pick.
So true. Almost to the point I think they need to move down and collect more picks because they can screw up this pick even though it may be the right pick.
I think if you have a defensive head coach and you can’t trust them with a talent like Reese they should be fired
Jermaine Johnson was traded to the titans (not still on team PFR). The team could use a new rusher/top defender after trading Johnson, sauce and Williams. An edge and WR in the first round would set them up nicely. If they don’t go QB in the second just load up on Oline and defense then go after QB next year with 3 first .
That should have said Will McDonald, not Jermaine Johnson. It’s fixed. Thanks!
This is where the draft really starts, will it be Reese or Bailey
We won’t know until the Jets examine the Madden ratings 🙂
Reese is the obvious choice here imo given that they’re switching to a 3-4.
The way this draft shakes out will be fascinating. There’s no real first round QB prospects other than Mendoza (though some team may reach for Simpson), and OL and DL are by far the two most stacked positions in the first round, with LB a close second and WR and DB a very distant third.
Reese has the most upside, definitely some risk though. If he doesn’t stick at edge it’s likely a wasted pick that high.
One of the more underrated moves for the Jets this offseason was hiring Dunbar as the Dline coach. Formerly with the Steelers, he’s done good work. Think he will help Reese a ton.