With many believing the number two pick would be spent on a certain player for the majority of the offseason, Peter Schrager threw everyone a curveball.
The New York Jets have another opportunity this offseason to get objectively better on both sides of the football with the NFL draft quickly approaching. The chances of those picks making a difference are exponentially higher based on where they fall.
The Jets hold both the 2nd and 16th overall picks at the end of this month, and what they do with them is of the utmost importance in this current rebuild they find themselves in.
The Jets recently became the sole leader in North American professional sports when it comes to the longest playoff drought with a whopping 15-years, so if they want that to end, they can't miss on these picks.
For most of the offseason, while the 16th pick has been up in the air, it's been mocked and predicted to death that the Jets would most likely be using their 2nd overall pick to select Ohio State's linebacker Arvell Reese.
In the last couple of days, however, that sentiment hasn't been as firm as it once was, with ESPN's Peter Schrager putting out a mock draft with a change for the Jets.
Schrager Mocks Jets to Select Edge David Bailey
Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Cole Wisniewski (5) and linebacker David Bailey (31) react after a defensive play against the Oregon Ducks during the first half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesIn Schrager's latest mock draft, he had the Jets selecting Texas Tech edge David Bailey with the second overall pick. It's different, but not that wild.
Many mock drafts before this had Bailey as a top-five pick, and he's certainly worth all the hype. After playing three seasons with Stanford, in his final season at Texas Tech, Bailey put on a show and was a huge part of the Red Raiders' stout defense last season.
He recorded 52 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Bailey's sack total tied him for first in the nation. He was easily one of last year's best pass rushers.
For the Jets, it comes down to what they're after in the pick.
If they want consistency and support in the run game, then Arvell Reese is the guy. Edge rushers seem to be much more hit and miss, but if they want to take a risk on a pass rusher who can change games, there aren't many better in this draft class at getting after the passer than David Bailey.
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