After finishing with a record of 3-14 in 2025, the New York Jets and head coach Aaron Glenn have made moves to upgrade the roster this offseason. The defense has been a major focus, and even if competing for a title is not in the immediate picture for 2026, this side of the ball must play better if Glenn wants to keep his job.
Mel Kiper Jr. Projects a Tough Defensive Decision for the New York Jets
With the No. 2 pick in the draft and quarterback Fernando Mendoza set to be off the board at No. 1, the Jets are expected to keep upgrading the defense. This need for defensive stability is likely why the team recently acquired veteran Geno Smith to stabilize the quarterback room ahead of the draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft is considered top-heavy but thin in certain areas due to a lack of elite quarterback depth.
Mendoza is the only signal-caller expected to be taken in the first 10 picks, and perhaps even the first round. Mendoza is locked in at No. 1 for the Las Vegas Raiders, which leaves the Jets to pick whoever they believe is the best defensive player in the draft.
The Jets could go with an offensive weapon, but the roster does not necessitate another high-end running back, making Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love an unlikely fit.
While the Jets could target a wide receiver, none of the available prospects are currently valued as high as the No. 2 selection. That leaves the defense, and according to NFL Draft insider Mel Kiper Jr., the Jets will face a major dilemma at the top of the board.
“This is not easy; this is kind of a dilemma that internally they have to figure out. Is it Arvell Reese or is it David Bailey? Who’s going to be the best edge rusher coming into the NFL early on in their career? Do you go with a guy who is kind of a one-year wonder?” Kiper said.
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“David Bailey had some good years at Stanford. But this year, he took it to a completely new level as a pass rusher. Or Arvell Reese, who could be Micah Parsons. In a perfect world, that’s who you’re hoping if you take him 2 or 3, you hope he can become that guy.”
.@MelKiperESPN explained to @FieldYates the ‘dilemma’ the #Jets face with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 #NFLDraft:
Ohio State’s Arvell Reese vs Texas Tech’s David Bailey.
‘This is not easy … Internally they have to figure this out … Who is gonna be the best edge rusher… pic.twitter.com/dSAooSNLdM
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) March 18, 2026
The situation Kiper has brought up may be exactly what decision-makers in the Jets’ building are currently discussing. David Bailey was ranked ninth in PFSN’s CFB EDGE Impact Metric and tied for the lead in the nation in sacks with 14.5, but 2025 was his only year of elite production following his transfer from Stanford to Texas Tech.
Arvell Reese was ranked second in that same metric because his main position is linebacker, and he is still transitioning to a full-time role on the edge.
Both players have high potential, but they also both have flaws that the Jets must consider before turning in the card. There is a good chance the NFL world won’t truly know which way the Jets are leaning until the pick is made on draft night.
