Arvell Reese officially massive betting favorite to be Jets’ first pick

Unless you’re among the truly devoted New York Jets fans, the most significant takeaway from a glance at the latest 2026 NFL Draft odds is that you may not need to turn on your TV until the No. 3 pick.

After months of speculation about what the Jets will do at No. 2, Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese has officially become the heavy betting favorite at that spot.

According to CBS Sports, DraftKings lists Reese at -220 to go second overall, well ahead of Texas Tech pass-rusher David Bailey. No other players have odds higher than +1300. BetMGM gives Reese even shorter -280 odds, and 29% of the money on the No. 2 overall pick prop is currently on the Buckeye star.

Reese is on pace to be the first linebacker drafted in the top 10 since the Cardinals selected Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons at No. 8 in 2020.

What to know about Arvell Reese and the Jets

The 6-foot-4, 241-pound Reese spent last season making opposing offenses miserable, finishing with 10 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks. He earned All-American honors and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, shooting up draft boards and online mock drafts along the way.

Reese showed off his speed at the NFL Combine, running a 4.46 40-yard dash — the fastest of any defensive end/edge rusher. He tied with Buckeyes teammate Sonny Styles for the best time among linebackers.

Unless the Jets plan to trade the No. 2 pick, there is no reason for them not to select Reese. Rarely is a player truly a “safe” pick, not when injuries, scheme fits, and the overall adjustment to the NFL are factored in.

Reese nonetheless checks every box the Jets should have. He’s a defensive playmaker who can rush the quarterback and make his presence felt in the backfield all game.

There is inherent risk in taking a hybrid linebacker, as the Cardinals learned firsthand with Simmons. At least Reese would join a Jets team led by defensive-minded head coach Aaron Glenn.

Reese turns 21 on August 30, so there should be optimism that he’ll only continue developing as he gets older. Last year marked Reese’s only season in the starting lineup.

At No. 2, Reese would be the third Buckeye joining the Jets’ first-round fraternity over the last decade, following Darron Lee (No. 20 in 2016) and Garrett Wilson (No. 10 in 2022).