Jets cannot let infamous draft bust prevent them from drafting Arvell Reese

If you really want to scare a New York Jets fan ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, you have plenty of ammunition.

Not even having two first-round picks and their choice of Arvell Reese or David Bailey will be enough to erase some fans’ cynicism.

Obviously, you can go the quarterback route and remind your friend about Zach Wilson and Christian Hackenberg.

Alternatively, you could mention the Jets using a first-round pick on Kyle Wilson in 2010 while already having Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.

Some Jets fans have also opened the door for another painful name: Vernon Gholston.

Remember Vernon Gholston? Jets social media certainly does

For the younger crowd, as well as those who have voluntarily forgotten his name, Gholston was the Jets’ No. 6 pick in 2008.

The 6-foot-4, 258-pound Gholston was an athletic freak seemingly destined to thrive as the Jets’ new superstar pass-rusher.

Instead, Gholston finished his NFL career with the same number of sacks as someone who hasn’t played football beyond the schoolyard.

Maybe it’s the Ohio State connection, or the shared position, but some social media users have referenced Gholston when discussing Bailey and Reese, the latter of whom also played for the Buckeyes.

“Don’t let past trauma dictate your thoughts about a player—especially a draft pick from almost 20 years ago,” The New York Daily News’ Antwan Staley wrote on X.

When you get past the fact that 2008 was indeed nearly 20 years ago, you’ll realize that Staley is correct.

Vernon Gholston is irrelevant to any David Bailey and Arvell Reese discussions

Jets fans are fully justified in fearing Bailey or Reese not panning out, especially given the team’s horrendous luck with first-round picks.

With that said, citing Gholston is actually pretty funny.

The Jets have had six head coaches and five full-time general managers since drafting Gholston, who spent his first three seasons in New York.

You know that things are bad in Jets Nation when we’re referencing a draft pick — and not even a quarterback! — who last played in 2010.

Besides, how many players on the Jets’ current roster have even heard of Gholston?

Don’t answer that.

At least we can say with certainty that, supposing they record at least one sack, Bailey or Reese would instantly be a better draft pick than Gholston.

When you’re as bad as the Jets are, you have to take the occasional victory.

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