The New York Jets hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Head coach Aaron Glenn sits squarely on the hot seat after a disastrous 3-14 campaign in his debut season. General manager Darren Mougey has a massive decision to make. Does he draft a player specifically tailored to Glenn’s defensive scheme, or does he pick the best pure talent available to insulate the roster from future coaching changes?
Colin Cowherd believes the answer is obvious. The prominent sports radio host strongly advised the Jets to ignore Glenn’s system preferences when they go on the clock in Pittsburgh later this month.
Why the Jets Should Draft David Bailey Over Arvell Reese
Draft analysts widely view the second overall pick as a two-horse race. The Jets desperately need edge rush help. The decision likely comes down to Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese or Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey.
Reese offers incredible flexibility. He can play off the ball or attack off the edge, making him an ideal fit for the complex defensive looks Glenn wants to run. Glenn explicitly stated at the league owners’ meetings that he values versatility and traits like ankle flexion in his pass rushers.
Bailey is a much more traditional prospect. He scorched the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine with an official 4.5-second 40-yard dash.
He wins with pure speed and power off the edge. Cowherd views Bailey as the ultimate plug-and-play prospect who can start opposite Will McDonald in Week 1.
Speaking on his FS1 show, Cowherd laid out exactly why the Jets must lean toward the safer option.
“If I was the Jets, this is the position, and this is the pick, the number two pick. This is the position and pick that’s fascinating,” Cowherd said. “If I was the Jets ownership or general manager, I would pick David Bailey because I don’t think Aaron Glenn knows what he’s doing and I think he’s going to be gone either mid-season or next season. And people will say, well, you can’t go with the safe pick at number two.”
Cowherd makes a compelling point. A specialized chess piece like Reese requires a defensive coordinator who knows exactly how to deploy him. A pure speed rusher like Bailey fits into any defensive system in the league.
Drafting for the Jets’ Future, Not Aaron Glenn’s Scheme
Glenn enters 2026 with almost zero job security. NBC recently ranked him as the worst non-first-year head coach in the NFL. Last year’s 3-14 record exposed massive flaws in the team’s defensive structure, even though poor quarterback play from Justin Fields contributed heavily to the losing streak.
The Jets added veteran quarterback Geno Smith and brought back linebacker Demario Davis to win games immediately. If Glenn starts the season poorly, the front office will not hesitate to pull the plug.
Drafting a player specifically for a coach who might get fired in November is a terrible roster-building strategy. The next head coach might employ a completely different base defense. If the new staff does not value Reese’s unique versatility, the Jets will have wasted a premium draft asset.
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Pass rushers who can flatten the edge and hit the quarterback never go out of style. Bailey provides the exact type of premium production New York needs right now. The Texas Tech star racked up elite pressure rates in college and possesses the physical tools to translate that success to the professional level.
The Jets cannot afford to miss on this draft pick. Mougey must prioritize long-term roster health over short-term scheme fits. Giving the defense a safe, Day 1 starter who can instantly generate pressure is the smartest move the front office can make.
