The New York Jets face a pivotal moment for the franchise’s direction in the 2026 NFL Draft. With significant needs on both sides of the ball, the organization must maximize its strong draft capital, including the second and 16th overall picks in the first round.
At the second overall pick, much of the buzz has centered on the Jets selecting a quarterback, as the position remains New York’s biggest offseason question mark.
However, in a recent mock draft by The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner, the Jets are projected to go in a different direction, selecting Ohio State star linebacker Arvell Reese with the No. 2 pick.
“The most talented defender and arguably the most talented football player in the class, period, Reese has the potential to be a total game wrecker on the edge. He also has enough versatility to move around the front seven. He’s a prospect with an elite-level ceiling,” wrote Baumgardner.
Reese is widely considered the top defensive prospect entering the 2026 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 243-pound linebacker is expected to make an immediate impact at the NFL level, which comes as no surprise given that ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper ranks him as the No. 1 defensive prospect and fourth overall player on his 2026 big board.
“This is a complete football player. Reese jumps off the Ohio State tape, playing the game like a veteran. I see natural instincts at the linebacker position that allow him to make plays most guys just can’t make, and he has the burst to get home when turned loose as a pass rusher. Reese has been a big riser in this class,” wrote Kiper.
GettyLB Arvell Reese.
Why the Jets Could Prioritize Defense at No. 2
If the Jets do not end up selecting a quarterback such as Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore with their top pick and instead choose to bolster the defense, it should not come as a surprise to New York fans, even though many around the league expect a quarterback to be taken.
New York’s defense had a season they likely want to forget. One stat that highlights their struggles is that they became the first team in NFL history to go a full season without recording a single interception.
On top of that glaringly poor statistic, the Jets ranked among the league’s worst overall defenses, allowing an average of 29.6 points per game, which was 31st in the NFL for the 2025 regular season, according to Fox Sports.
With the Jets’ defense coming off such a brutal season, in which they allowed just under 30 points per game, it could be argued that the better selection would be Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. Reese, an elite-caliber prospect, has the potential to make an immediate impact and significantly improve the defensive side of the ball.
GettyReese is the top defensive prospect in the 2026 draft.
More on Reese
In October, Reese was already being compared to top NFL talent. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller compared him to star linebacker Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers.
“Reese’s style, build and athletic ability are going to make the conversation about playing him off the edge in the pros really interesting. Not to turn every LB into a Micah Parsons project, but he fits that mold,” wrote Miller.
There is no question that New York’s decision will not be an easy one in the draft, as the team has multiple directions it could take. Still, selecting Reese would be a safe bet to land an anchor for the Jets’ struggling defense.
GettyReese was compared to Micah Parsons.
Jets Land Top Defensive Prospect in Recent Mock Draft