Todd McShay calls Jets pick at No. 2 a 'foregone conclusion' in league circles

With roughly a week to go until the 2026 NFL Draft, experts and analysts are beginning to submit their final mock drafts with predictions of which player each team will select in the first round of the draft.

New York Jets mock drafts are just about split down the middle, with half of the projections belonging to Ohio State's Arvell Reese and the other half to Texas Tech's David Bailey. Both players are certainly deserving of being the No. 2 overall pick, and there's good reasoning for each prospect.

It feels like, in recent weeks, New York has reportedly been leaning more towards Bailey, due to his perceived higher floor and pure pass-rushing ability.

In fact, The Ringer's Todd McShay went as far as to say it was essentially a done deal, and that Bailey will be wearing Green & White in 2026.

Todd McShay practically said Jets will make David Bailey the No. 2 pick

In McShay's latest mock draft, he has the Jets selecting Bailey, and doubled down on his previous comments that chatter within league circles has confirmed New York intends to draft the Red Raider.

"Now we’re back to Bailey, and it’s close to a foregone conclusion in NFL circles. While the Jets are miles away from playoff contention, HC Aaron Glenn needs to build positive momentum in 2026. Bailey gives them an elite pass rusher immediately. He’ll take his lumps as a run defender, but the real value at edge is pass rush production. "

Todd McShay

McShay is essentially saying you can put the pick in ink, and for the same reasons a lot of national analysts are parroting.

The argument for Bailey is tied to head coach Aaron Glenn's job security. Heading into Glenn's second year, the Jets need to win. Maybe they don't have to win the division, but they have to show some signs of life to warrant the coach getting a third year at the helm.

Because of that, people point to Bailey as the draft pick. A player who is going to come in right away and get after the quarterback. But is that sound enough logic for taking a prospect with the No. 2 overall pick?

No, it really isn't. And if the Jets are making selections with that kind of thought process, then there are bigger problems at hand.

Not to mention, the idea that Reese can't come in and be a Day 1 impact player is laughable. The Jets can come away from the 2026 NFL Draft with either player and feel confident they have a high-upside player who will play a key role.

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