With the Raiders all but guaranteed to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall, there may be more intrigue surrounding the Jets at No. 2. A pair of Ohio State linebackers, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, in addition to Texas Tech edge defender David Bailey are candidates for Recent York’s top selection. Still two-plus weeks away from having to make a call on April 23, the Jets are “leaning toward” Reese, Wealthy Cimini of ESPN reports.
Reese’s versatility may tip the scales in his favor because the Jets transition to a 3-4 base defense that can use multiple fronts. As Cimini notes, Reese played 356 snaps at outside linebacker and 238 as an off-ball LB in 2025. Reese handled all responsibilities with aplomb during a season by which he earned consensus All-America honors and Big Ten Linebacker of the Yr. The 6-foot-4, 241-pounder totaled 69 tackles, 10 TFL and 6.5 sacks over 14 games.
Although Reese didn’t post gaudy numbers in 2024 (43 tackles and a half-sack in 16 games), Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is unconcerned. In that regard, Glenn likens Reese to Texans five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter, who recorded just 4.5 sacks in three years at LSU. Hunter has since racked up 114.5 during a prolific decade in the professionals.
“His stats weren’t up there, but he had all of the traits and he’s had a coach that may coach him to be where he’s at straight away,” Glenn said of Hunter (via Cimini). “So I have a look at [Reese] the identical way. Man, it’s a mix of the traits and this mix of the football character again. Is that player coachable enough to have the option to do the things that you just want him to do to achieve success?”
By now, Glenn and the Jets must have idea of whether Reese is “coachable.” Jets brass took overtime to satisfy with Reese at Ohio State’s pro day in late March. In addition they dined with Reese in Columbus, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Cimini). If the Jets draft Reese, it might give them one other pass rusher to affix holdover Will McDonald and free agent pickups Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. He would also supply one other off-ball choice to a team that reunited with Demario Davis in free agency and has Jamien Sherwood entering the second season of a three-year, $45MM deal.
Turning to other early draft possibilities for the Jets, it might count as “an upset” in the event that they pass on taking a large receiver sometime in the primary two rounds, Cimini writes. No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell will play big roles in 2026, however the Jets have little else on the position. Considering the team owns 4 of the draft’s top 44 picks, that would change soon.