Jets Enter 2026 NFL Draft with Rare Clarity - and Arvell Reese in Their Sights
Super Bowl Sunday may have wrapped up another tough season for the Jets, but it also brought something this franchise hasn’t had in a while: clarity. Week 18 chaos around the league locked New York into the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft - a silver lining to a 3-14 season that never truly got off the ground.
For a team that’s often spent the offseason chasing answers, this time feels different. The Jets have a clear draft position, clear roster needs, and, increasingly, a clear favorite to land at No. 2: Ohio State’s Arvell Reese.
How Week 18 Gave the Jets a Draft Reset
The Jets closed the season with a 35-8 loss to Buffalo - a fitting end to a year defined by short-term patches and a lack of depth. But what mattered more than the final score was what happened elsewhere. A domino effect of results across the league pushed New York into the second overall spot, giving the front office a rare moment of control heading into draft season.
That shift changes everything. With the No. 2 pick, the Jets don’t have to trade up, chase quarterbacks, or wait for the board to fall their way.
They’re in the driver’s seat. And for a franchise that’s spent too many springs reacting, that’s a major change of pace.
Why Arvell Reese Keeps Landing at No. 2
If you’ve been following early mock drafts - and Jets fans certainly have - one name keeps showing up at No. 2: Arvell Reese.
Daniel Jeremiah was among the first to slot the Ohio State defender into that spot, and others quickly followed. The logic is consistent: New York needs a game-wrecker on defense, and Reese fits the bill.
The Jets finished near the bottom of the league in sacks this season. Week after week, the lack of pressure was glaring.
Reese, who played both edge and off-ball linebacker in college, offers the kind of versatility and explosiveness that can change that dynamic. He’s long, fast, and powerful - a modern prototype for the edge position.
Jeremiah and others believe Reese will thrive in a full-time edge role after being moved around earlier in his career. That projection - not just what he is now, but what he can become - is what makes him so appealing at No.
- The Jets don’t need a finished product.
They need someone who can tilt the field. Reese brings that kind of upside.
What Pick No. 16 Tells Us About the Jets’ Draft Strategy
The Jets also own the No. 16 pick, thanks to a trade with Indianapolis. That second first-rounder adds valuable context to how they might approach the top of the board.
While the No. 2 pick appears locked in on defense, that mid-round slot has become a hotspot for wide receiver projections. Carnell Tate, Jordan Tyson, and Makai Lemon have all been linked to New York in various mocks - and each brings something different to the table.
Tate offers size and polish as a route-runner. Tyson stretches the field vertically, though teams will want to see how he checks out medically.
Lemon, meanwhile, is a steady, high-volume option who thrived underneath at USC. None of these names scream desperation.
They reflect a front office looking to build around its existing pieces, not overhaul the entire operation.
Notably absent from most mocks? Quarterbacks.
With Justin Fields still in the fold - albeit without long-term security - and Dante Moore returning to Oregon, there’s no clear replacement option in this class. And that’s just fine with the Jets.
This draft, at least so far, is about support, not scrambling.
A Familiar Spot, But a Different Feel
Jets fans know this territory. The second overall pick isn’t new - and the last time they held it, the ripple effects lasted far beyond one season.
That memory still lingers. But this time, the vibe is different.
There’s alignment between need and value. National analysts aren’t debating what the Jets should do - they’re largely in agreement.
The roster holes are obvious. The draft position is set.
And Arvell Reese continues to look like the right fit at the right time.
Of course, the pre-draft process will bring its usual twists. The combine and pro days will test measurables, confirm traits, and maybe shake up a few boards.
But the foundation feels solid. The Jets aren’t searching for direction this spring - they’ve already found it.
After years of reacting, they’re finally in position to dictate. That alone is a win.