NFL Draft expert reveals dark-horse candidate for New York Jets' top pick
The Jets might not go defense at No. 2.
NFL Draft expert reveals dark-horse candidate for New York Jets' top pick originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . For the past few months, the conversation around the New York Jets has been centered around the front-seven, and which standout would hear his name called second in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Arvell Reese is the favorite, and his excellent platform season provides plenty of justification for his ascension. Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. might be the best player in college football, and Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey blossomed in 2025.
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is the kind of athletic freak that could change teams' minds atop the draft, stress testing positional value. There are multiple viable options, and with each profile having a handful of question marks, the final month of draft prep could be telling. However, it's not a lock that New York goes after a defensive difference-maker with its first pick.
Could the Jets go offense at No. 2? One of the less-likely outcomes for the Jets' plans would be to pivot to offense.