With the Raiders a lock to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall on Thursday, the real draft drama will begin when the Jets are on the clock at No. 2. The Jets are expected to select Texas Tech edge defender David Bailey or Ohio State linebacker/edge Arvell Reese. On the eve of the draft, there is a belief the team has “settled on Reese,” Dan Graziano of ESPN hears.
Jets reports centering on Bailey and Reese have gone back and forth in recent weeks. Reese was the favorite to go to the Jets as of April 5, but Bailey took the lead last week. It has since swung back to Reese after the Jets canceled a scheduled “30” visit with Bailey.
Asked about the Jets on Wednesday, Bailey told reporters (via Jets Videos): “It’s been good, man. They canceled my “30” visit, so I wasn’t able to get around the facility, but I had a great interaction with them at the combine and FaceTime calls.”
Bailey totaled 14.5 sacks over three years at Stanford, but he matched that total during his lone season at Texas Tech in 2025. While he is considered a safer bet than Reese from a pass-rushing standpoint, the latter’s upside and versatility may be too much for the Jets to ignore. As PFR’s Sam Robinson noted, the Jaguars were in a similar situation heading into the 2022 draft. Looking for an impact pass rusher, the Jaguars went with the upside play (Travon Walker) over someone who was more productive in college (Aidan Hutchinson). Walker has turned into a good pro, but Hutchinson has been the better of the two.
In assessing Reese, a defensive coordinator told James Palmer of Bleacher Report: “It’s tough. I think his best spot is edge rusher. But he is fully athletically capable of playing inside LB. I think his disposition is more edge rusher when you talk to him. You just get that feel from him. If he had a gun to his head he’d probably say that as well. With his athletic tools and how his brain works he could be directly impactful there at edge.”
The Jets’ first-round work will continue even after they decide on Reese or Bailey. They also own the 16th overall pick, but there is “a real chance” they will trade out of that slot, Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports reports. A team in need of an offensive lineman could jump the Lions at 17 to acquire the Jets’ selection, per Pauline, who points to Pittsburgh as a possibility. For now, the Steelers are in line to pick 21st.
Depending on how aggressive the Jets are in targeting a receiver with their second pick, trading up from 16 may also be under consideration. The Jets reportedly have first-round grades on three wideouts: Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) and Denzel Boston (Washington). However, they “don’t seem as high” on Tate as they are on Tyson, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. While Tyson has a concerning injury history, he might have the most upside of any receiver in this class. Unless the Jets move up, Tyson may be out of reach.
“I think his disposition is more edge rusher when you talk to him. You just get that feel from him. If he had a gun to his head he’d probably say that as well.”
Reese literally said he saw himself as more of an edge rusher going forward at the combine and all he had to his head was a camera and a microphone.
I mean true, but honestly why would he say anything else? Everyone knows edge is the more valuable position between the two, theres no reason for him to stomp out his own value by saying hes more of a line backer
Beat me to it! He’s looking at the contracts of the 2 positions w/ that statement.
It also makes sense because he’s already a very good pass rusher despite not having much experience or training in it and he’s not a good coverage player, so he also has more upside at the more valuable position.
I dont disagree and I dont necessarily think Reese is lying, but even if he doesnt develop into an edge like Micah Parsons its still advantageous for him to sell himself that way
I don’t think his coverage skills are as bad as they’re made out to be.
Why would the jets leak info like that to the media who they’re going to take? Bunch of amateurs. Whoever is making the draft decisions probably wasn’t very good at playing poker
Bud its been “leaked” 10 different times over the last week alone with it changing between Bailey and Reese. Jets FO isnt the one leaking anything its just reporters making educated guesses, but its nice to see you type all that up anyway.
Also who would care if they leaked what they were going to do? It’s not like someone is going to trade ahead of them and take their guy.
Amateur-level comment to refer to them as “amateurs” when it literally doesn’t matter. Leaking both names could entice someone to give up enough to get their guy that it makes the Jets feel trading down is worth it, with the only downside being that a trade doesn’t develop so they stick and pick their preferred player.