Jets praised for keeping No. 2 overall pick unclear heading into NFL Draft

Throughout the pre-draft process leading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Jets have kept everyone guessing about which direction they're leaning with the No. 2 overall pick.

At first, it seemed like Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese was the obvious favorite. New York's moves in free agency seemed to set them up to take a hybrid linebacker with their first selection in this week's draft.

Then, Texas Tech's David Bailey emerged as a hot name among insiders and analysts, thanks to his high floor and out-of-the-box ability to get after the quarterback. Because the Jets need to win, Bailey is the no-brainer pick.

With just days until the first round kicks off, there's still no clear-cut answer on who the Jets will pick at No. 2, and honestly, that's a credit to the organization and general manager Darren Mougey.

Jets keeping their pick under wraps is good for the organization

SNY's Connor Hughes praised the Jets and Mougey for keeping things murky leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft.

"The question most are asking is what the Jets will do at No. 2. They are expected to take a defender — either Ohio State’s Arvell Reese or Texas Tech’s David Bailey. Give general manager Darren Mougey credit. His pick, days before the draft, remains unclear — a rarity. That’s not usually the case."

Connor Hughes

Hughes also added that league sources indicated to him that Reese is the pick, but that's still no guarantee. Again, it's all positive for the Jets.

Keeping their intentions unclear drives interest in the No. 2 overall pick and keeps the teams picking after the Jets on their toes. The Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants will all be watching closely to see what Gang Green does on Thursday night.

Who knows? The Jets have made it clear they would be willing to move back; maybe some team makes a major offer for the No. 2 overall pick.

The murkiness is also a nice change of pace from the Jets' previous regime. Remember when everyone and their mother knew Joe Douglas was targeting an offensive lineman in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft?

Douglas essentially telegraphed that Broderick Jones was going to be the pick, allowing the Pittsburgh Steelers to jump the Jets for the Georgia tackle. Now, it actually worked out fairly well for New York. Jones isn't exactly a stud.

But the point is, the Jets are keeping everyone on their toes, and having a building with little to no leaks is miles better than what the organization has had in the past.

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