The New York Jets find themselves in a fascinating spot heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. With the No. 2 overall pick in hand-thanks in part to the Sauce Gardner trade with the Colts that also netted them No. 16-they have options. But not the kind of options they might’ve hoped for.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore’s decision to return to school took a major chess piece off the board. Without a consensus top-tier QB in this class, the Jets lose a lot of the leverage they might’ve had in shopping that pick to a quarterback-hungry team.
But that doesn’t mean they’re out of moves. In fact, it opens the door for them to get creative-and potentially land a foundational piece on either side of the ball.
Let’s break down the five most realistic paths the Jets could take with the No. 2 pick.
Path 1: Draft Arvell Reese - The Defensive Swiss Army Knife
If you’re looking for a tone-setter, Arvell Reese might be your guy. The former Ohio State standout is the kind of defensive weapon that can change the identity of a unit. He’s been doing a little bit of everything-dropping into coverage, spying quarterbacks, rushing off the edge-and doing it all at a high level.
Reese isn’t just versatile; he’s disruptive. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked top-10 among linebackers (minimum 400 snaps) in missed tackle rate (just 5.3%), didn’t allow a single touchdown in coverage, and finished fifth in pass-rush win rate (14.7%) among linebackers with at least 100 rush snaps.
With Quincy Williams likely headed elsewhere in free agency and a new defensive coordinator on the way, Reese would give head coach Aaron Glenn a movable chess piece to build around. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t just fill a need-he creates opportunities.
Path 2: Go Edge - Rueben Bain Jr. or David Bailey
If the Jets decide to stay in the trenches, they’ve got two high-impact edge rushers to consider: Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. and Texas Tech’s David Bailey.
Let’s start with Bailey. He was a wrecking ball in 2025-14.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles in 14 games.
He led all defensive players in pressures (81) and had multiple games with double-digit pressures. That’s not just production-that’s dominance.
At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, Bailey brings a blend of twitch and power that makes life miserable for offensive tackles. He’s the kind of guy who can tilt a pocket and force quarterbacks into bad decisions-something the Jets could use more of.
Bain, meanwhile, doesn’t quite have Bailey’s length or flash, but he’s no slouch. At 6-3, 270, he’s a bit of a tweener, but he’s strong against the run and relentless as a pass rusher.
He finished second behind Bailey in pressures (80) and added 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. PFF graded him fifth among edge defenders in run defense (min. 400 snaps), which speaks to his all-around game.
If the Jets want a pure edge rusher to anchor the front seven, either of these two could be the pick.
Path 3: Take a Swing at WR - Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson
Garrett Wilson needs a running mate. The Jets’ wide receiver room has been thin behind him, and if they want to give their offense a real shot in 2026, adding a dynamic pass-catcher is a must.
The top two names in this class? Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.
Tate is the more polished of the two and is starting to separate himself as the WR1 in this class. He posted 875 yards and nine touchdowns last season, averaging 17.2 yards per catch.
At 6-3, 195, he’s got the size to win outside and the hands to trust in tight coverage-zero drops on 66 targets, and he caught 12 of 14 contested balls. That’s elite-level ball tracking and consistency.
He’s not just a deep threat, either. Tate is sharp in the short and intermediate game, with crisp routes and strong ball skills.
If the Jets want to go bold at No. 2, this is the kind of receiver you make that bet on. Still, with the No. 16 and No. 33 picks also in their pocket, they might prefer to wait and see what falls.
Path 4: Reach for a QB - Ty Simpson
This one’s a stretch, but it’s worth mentioning.
Ty Simpson is the next quarterback up on most draft boards, but he’s not projected to go anywhere near No. 2.
In fact, some mocks have him in the 20s. Still, if the Jets are sold on his upside, they could make the argument that it’s better to grab him now than risk losing him later.
But here’s the catch: Simpson has just 15 college starts under his belt. That puts him in the Anthony Richardson zone in terms of rawness.
And with the Jets needing to win sooner rather than later, it’s tough to justify taking a developmental QB this high-especially when they could circle back at No. 16 or try to move up from No. 33.
Unless they fall in love with Simpson’s traits and see a clear path to developing him, this feels like the least likely option.
Path 5: Trade Back - If the Price Is Right
This is where things get tricky. With Dante Moore staying in school, the demand to move up to No. 2 has cooled. There’s no obvious quarterback to chase, and that usually drives these types of deals.
Still, it only takes one team to fall in love with a prospect-maybe it’s Reese, Bailey, or even someone like Caleb Downs, Francis Mauigoa, or Peter Woods. If a team in the top 10 sees a can’t-miss guy and wants to jump the line, the Jets should absolutely listen.
The Texans’ 2023 trade-up for Will Anderson is the blueprint here. They went from No. 12 to No. 3, giving up a haul that included two firsts and a second. If the Jets can get anything close to that, it’s worth considering.
And if they do trade back, they’d still be in range to target a top wide receiver like Tate or Tyson, or even address another need with a player like Downs at safety or Mauigoa on the offensive line. There’s also the wildcard of running back Jeremiyah Love, especially if Breece Hall isn’t re-signed.
The Bottom Line
The Jets are in an enviable position, even if it’s not quite the quarterback-rich draft they might’ve hoped for. With two first-round picks and a roster that still has clear needs on both sides of the ball, they have the flexibility to go best player available-or get aggressive and make a move.
Whether it’s Reese’s versatility, Bailey’s pass-rush punch, Tate’s smooth route-running, or a potential trade-down to stockpile more picks, the Jets are holding a lot of cards. The question now is how they’ll play them.