The New York Jets made a major statement on Wednesday that points to them taking Arvell Reese at pick 2.
Throughout all of the pre-draft process, the connection between the New York Jets and Ohio State pass rusher Arvell Reese has been tangible. On Wednesday, the connection appeared to grow stronger.
Arvell Reese is a very fascinating draft prospect. At this time last year, Reese was an unknown player. He was primarily a special teams star who got a couple of spot reps on the defensive side of the ball.
Then, in 2025, he exploded onto the scene.
What he showed last year is that not only can he be a very good off-ball linebacker, but he has the tools and the mindset to become a dominant pass rusher. The only problem is that he is very, very inexperienced with his hand in the dirt getting after the passer.
That presents quite the predicament when we look at next week's NFL Draft. From a positional perspective, no team is going to draft an off-ball linebacker with the second overall pick. However, teams will use a pick with that value for a pass rusher.
So the question then becomes, to the New York Jets, value the potential that Arvell Reese shows with his very raw ability to get to the quarterback, or is a more experienced player like David Bailey a better option?
On Wednesday, I think that we got our answer.
There has been a consider ground swell for Bailey to be selected over Reese with the second overall pick. Then, New York cancelled their final pre-draft visit with the former Texas Tech pass rusher.
Now, this is not a guarantee that the Jets are off of Bailey; they absolutely could be trying to pull a smokescreen, but it is unlikely.
I am confident about saying that Arvell Reese is going to be a New York Jet come next Thursday night.
Once that pick is submitted, the real work begins. Reese will have a heck of a responsibility to develop himself as a pass rusher at the next level. He will need to put on weight so that he has more of an anchor, and then he needs to develop his skill.
Beating a 20-year-old left tackle is one thing; beating Trent Williams or Tristan Wirfs is a totally different story. He won't be able to win on instinct alone; he will need a massive amount of skill, and that just doesn't come overnight.
It appears he will get his opportunity to do that in the concrete jungle of New York City.
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