Latest Jets insider's mock draft may finally unite warring fanbase

The New York Jets' fanbase seems ready to tear itself apart debating if Arvell Reese or David Bailey should be the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the right NFL mock draft could be enough to placate both sides of this debate if the future presented ends up becoming reality.

SNY's Connor Hughes is holding firm in Reese being the selection at No. 2 overall despite the recent smoke around Bailey. The rest of the draft shakes out in fairly solid fashion, as the Jets land yet another defensive starter and a high-impact offensive chess piece.

At No. 16, Hughes has the Jets picking Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood. Rather than staying at No. 33 overall, the Jets would move into the first round to select a big-bodied pass catcher on the outside in Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston at No. 27 overall.

Connor Hughes' mock draft has Jets taking Arvell Reese, Colton Hood

Reese carries a higher ceiling than someone who may have a better rookie season in Bailey, as the raw pass rusher has some amazing play strength and the versatility needed to drop back into more of a traditional linebacker role if needed.

Hood, who has been mentioned as a possible selection at No. 16 if many of the top wide receivers are off the board, managed to star in the absence of fellow top draft prospect Jermod McCoy by showing tremendous length, aggression, and instincts in zone coverage.

Boston is not going to win many 40-yard dashes, but he has proven time and time again to be the type of big-bodied pass catcher with excellence in the red zone and quality route-running this team has needed for years. He could start on the outside alongside Adonai Mitchell, whom the Jets are reportedly extremely bullish on.

Hughes' second-round pick at No. 44 was Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis, who could push Josh Myers for a starting spot at center or kick Dylan Parham over from left guard. Hughes' most intriguing Day 3 selection was No. 140 overall, where they selected a developmental quarterback in Penn State's Drew Allar.

If the Jets can come out of this Draft with a premier pass rusher, CB1 for the future, and a complementary wide receiver next to Garrett Wilson, a fanbase that hasn't had much to smile about may finally start to see their luck turn around for the better.

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