NFL scout swoons over possible Jets pick Arvell Reese in recent NFL Mock Draft

The New York Jets have a list of about three or four players who could be selected at No. 2 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the NFL Combine may have been a sign that Ohio State hybrid pass rusher Arvell Reese is starting to separate from the rest of the pack.

While Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. has great film and Texas Tech's David Bailey impressed, Reese running a 4.46 40-yard dash while showing tremendous agility at 241 pounds may have been enough to convince Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey that he is the guy for the job.

In Dane Brugler's latest NFL Mock Draft, which has Reese again being picked by the Jets at No. 2 overall, he included a quote from a scout who claimed the Buckeyes dynamo "stole the show" at the Combine. With Reese already the favorite for No. 2, Indianapolis should have solidified his standing.

NFL scout said possible Jets draft pick Arvell Reese 'stole the show' at Combine

Reese is the least-finished product of the big three pass rushers alongside Bain and Bailey, but he has the highest ceiling. Not only is he the best athlete of the three, but he has room to grow at just 20 years old, and a lack of full-time pass-rusher work.

The Jets appear to be moving to a 3-4 front, which was all but confirmed when defensive end Jermaine Johnson was traded to the Tennessee Titans for a pure nose tackle in T'Vondre Sweat. Reese and Will McDonald may be the team's starting outside linebackers.

In addition to his ability to get after quarterbacks due to his combination of speed, strength, and violence on the field, his versatility can help him occasionally drop back into coverage or hang back as a spy against mobile quarterbacks like Josh Allen or Drake Maye.

Between questions about Bain's historically short arm length and Bailey's ability to set the edge as a run defender, the momentum for Reese being the pick at No. 2 overall has started to pick up.

Outside of Reese, the Jets are loading up on talent in this draft. USC wide receiver Makai Lemon was once again linked to them at No. 16 overall, while the second round consisted of a new inside linebacker in Georgia's CJ Allen at No. 33 overall and a tremendous cornerback in San Diego State's Chris Johnson at No. 44 overall.