Al Iannazzone: Who should the Jets draft at No. 2 and 16? Who should they not draft?
From left, Arvell Reese, David Bailey, Omar Cooper Jr. and Ty Simpson are prospects that have been linked to the Jets in the 2026 NFL Draft. Credit: Newsday composite; AP
The time for debate and conjecture on what the Jets will do in the draft is almost over.
The Jets have the No. 2 and 16 picks in the first round of Thursday’s NFL Draft. They’re still driving a lot of the discourse and discussions on sports shows and social media heading into the draft because of the uncertainty surrounding the No. 2 pick. Will it be Arvell Reese or David Bailey?
Here’s our final predictions on what the Jets should and shouldn’t do in the first round.
Who should the Jets take at No. 2 and why?
Ohio State linebacker/defensive end Arvell Reese makes so much sense for the Jets. His combination of size, speed, athleticism and versatility will be hard to pass up for a team and defense that needs playmakers with positional flexibility.
The Jets will play multiple fronts with Aaron Glenn now calling the defense. Reese played in that type of system at Ohio State under coordinator Matt Patricia, the former Patriots defensive coordinator. Patricia used Reese in different ways on a defense that dominated last season. The Buckeyes allowed just 9.3 points per game — the fewest of any FBS team in 14 years.
Reese, who is 6-4 and 241 pounds, lined up as an edge rusher, an off-ball linebacker and in the slot. Had he played exclusively on the edge, Reese might have had more than 6½ sacks. But he was used as a pass rusher, in the run game or in coverage on tight ends.
He’s only 20 years old and may develop into a full-time edge rusher. But Reese is entering the NFL as a three-down defensive player with an extremely high ceiling after excelling for a powerhouse program.
Who shouldn’t the Jets take at 2?
It’s hard to say that a team that went 3-14 and generated little pass rush shouldn’t take Texas Tech’s David Bailey. He led the FBS in sacks and is the most polished pass rusher in this draft.
The Jets absolutely could use a disruptive edge. But Bailey is a pure pass rusher. He relies on his speed and explosiveness to get to the quarterback. In that way, Bailey has some similarities to Will McDonald. There would be some duplication and neither player is very good against the run.
Bailey’s sheer burst and ability to get around tackles will lead to tackles for loss. But playing Bailey and McDonald on opposite edges could leave the Jets susceptible in the run game. That’s an area they need to improve on after having the fourth-worst rushing defense last year.
Who should the Jets take at 16?
The Jets have to add more playmakers to the receiver group and give Garrett Wilson help. Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. would be a good addition with the No. 16 pick.
Cooper emerged over his last year and a half at Indiana. A reliable target for Fernando Mendoza, Cooper had 937 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches last year. He played primarily in the slot, but he could be used in different ways.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Jets traded up for a receiver who they have graded ahead of Cooper. Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate and USC’s Makai Lemon could be targets if that’s the case.
Receiver has to be a priority early in this draft. The Jets, who had the NFL's worst passing offense last year, need weapons and to play a modern offense that relies on the passing game.
Who shouldn’t the Jets take at 16?
They shouldn’t take Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson or any quarterback for that matter until Day 2 or Day 3.
The worst-kept secret in the NFL is that the Jets plan to use next year’s draft to take their next franchise savior. They have three first-round picks in 2027 and it’s a better and deeper quarterback class that could feature Arch Manning, Julian Sayin, Dante Moore and Trinidad Chambliss.
The Jets are going to let Geno Smith run the offense this year. If they’re out of contention later in the season they could turn to their still yet to be acquired backup quarterback or a quarterback that they take on Friday or Saturday in this draft.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
