Most expect the New York Jets to go defense with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
But the consensus is the team will either go edge-rusher or linebacker with so many premium players at both positions sitting at the top of the draft board.
Draft experts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks believe New York is targeting Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey, while NFL.coms's Lance Zierlein and Charles Davis both believe the Jets want Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.
But Mel Kiper Jr., arguably the most popular draft guru, thinks otherwise.
In his latest mock draft, Kiper Jr. has the Jets going with a defender, however, he thinks the pick is Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. If true, it would mark a rare top-two selection for a safety, and it would be arguably the biggest surprise of the top 10.
"This would be the highest draft slot for a safety since Eric Turner went No. 2 in 1991," Kiper Jr. wrote. "Downs is worthy, though. He reads the offense so well, and then he has quickness, physicality and ball skills to make plays against both the run and the pass.
"He can truly impact a defense’s ceiling from the back end, with six interceptions, 18 tackles for loss and 22 run stops over his three college seasons. The Jets’ defense didn’t have a single INT in 2025 — yes, you read that right — and only the Cowboys gave up more points (29.6 per game). Plus, Andre Cisco is hitting free agency."
Downs is considered the top safety in college football and arguably one of the five best defensive players in the country.
Safety isn't New York's biggest area of need - quarterback, wide receiver, and pass-rusher all rank higher - but if a player of Downs' caliber is sitting there, it might be too tempting for the Jets to pass up, especially if they're not sold on the top edge-rushers like Bailey or Miami's Reuben Bain, who’s a popular pick to the Jets in many mock drafts.
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