The New York Jets must steer clear of making this one move in the NFL Draft.
The New York Jets own two picks in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, and they will be on the clock as soon as No. 2.
While speculation has surged that the Jets could trade the 16th overall selection, just about everyone is operating under the assumption that New York will make its pick at No. 2, and the choice will be one of two edge rushers: either Texas Tech's David Bailey or Ohio State's Arvell Reese.
Most indications are that the Jets seem to be leaning toward Bailey. They cancelled their top-30 visit with him because they felt they already had all of the information they needed on him, and general managers around the league are apparently expecting New York to take the Red Raiders star.
However, there is still a chance that the Jets pull a fast one and snatch Reese, who has become quite a darling in this year's draft class due to his freakish athleticism.
But for a team like the Jets that absolutely needs to get this right and needs production as soon as possible, they need to select Bailey. Period.
For as tantalizing of a prospect as Reese may be, he comes with some glaring question marks entering the NFL.
David Bailey. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.First of all, he doesn't even have a true position. He mostly played off-ball linebacker at Ohio State, and while just about everyone has him tabbed as an edge rusher heading into the pros, he has never been a true edge like Bailey.
Second, Reese's production and track record are both sorely lacking.
The 20-year-old managed 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2025. Solid numbers for sure, but they pale in comparison to Bailey's 52 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks.
Plus, unlike Bailey, who has a history of producing, Reese wasn't a starter until 2025, and he barely posted numbers up until that point.
He hardly saw the field in 2023, and in 2024, he registered 43 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a half of a sack.
Can New York, a team that may very well have the worst roster in football, really put its faith in that? Can Aaron Glenn, whose job may be on the line, trust that Reese will actually step in and be an instant difference maker?
We have seen plenty of workout warriors fall flat once they reach the NFL. I'm not saying Reese will follow that path, but the Jets need to go with the actual proven talent, and that's Bailey.
If Gang Green decides to select Reese on Thursday evening, it will just be asking for trouble.
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