Jets are risking further failure with Arvell Reese and David Bailey

Much like the meaning of life, the question of who the New York Jets will select No. 2 in the 2026 NFL Draft has become one of society’s great mysteries.

At first, the easy answer was Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, who spent weeks as the presumptive No. 2 pick. Then, Texas Tech standout David Bailey suddenly jumped into the mix, where he’s remained in recent days.

All we collectively know is that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza almost certainly won’t be the pick, as he’s all but guaranteed to go No. 1 to the Raiders.

But as for the No. 2 pick? Not even the Jets might be able to answer that question, and that’s a problem.

Are the Jets overthinking David Bailey vs. Arvell Reese?

It’s incredibly easy to tell the Jets to forego the deep conversations and arguments, and instead solely pick who they believe is the best prospect. At the same time, such an idea is what the Jets need to hear.

Because no coach or general manager will ever go on the record and say which player they’re picking, we don’t know what discussions are happening in Florham Park. Some in the Jets building might prefer Reese, and others could be all aboard the Bailey train.

Coaches and executives potentially disagreeing on who the Jets should take at No. 2 is fine, but not when the draft is rapidly approaching. As has been the case in recent years, there are likely no surprises planned at No. 1.

For all intents and purposes, the draft truly begins when the Jets are on the board.

Let’s think about what we know going into the draft. As things stand, the Jets pick at No. 2 and No. 16. Although Alabama’s Ty Simpson is the consensus No. 2 QB behind Mendoza, there is no indication that the Jets would select him with their first pick.

Reese has been the favorite to go No. 2 since the NFL Combine ended in February. The 6-foot-4, 241-pound Reese would bring speed, size, and strength to a rebuilding Jets defense.

But what about Bailey? On the April 8 episode of “The McShay Show,” The Ringer’s Todd McShay and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer both said they’ve heard the Jets are targeting Bailey at No. 2.

Given how sources and leaks typically work, it’s fair to presume that some in the Jets building are either souring on Reese or are falling in love with Bailey during the pre-draft process’ final weeks.

Again, all of that is fine. At some point, though, it would behoove the Jets to present a united front and, through the various NFL insiders, make it clear they intend to pick Reese or Bailey.

Otherwise, it creates the impression that the Jets, as is often the case, do not know what they’re doing.

Suppose the Jets held the No. 5 pick instead of the Giants. In that case, seeing and hearing different players mocked to the Jets would be fine because there are four teams picking ahead of them.

Even if the Jets love Bailey and Reese, picking at No. 5 could mean they’d miss out on both players. That’d theoretically justify differing reports or mocks about the Jets potentially also looking at Ohio State safety Caleb Downs or Buckeyes receiver Carnell Tate.

The Jets don’t pick No. 5, though. They pick at No. 2, and they cannot afford to get it wrong, not when they haven’t made it to the playoffs since some of these prospects were in kindergarten.