The New York Jets are roughly three weeks away from the 2026 NFL Draft and hold two first-round picks, including the 2nd and 16th selections. Since New York isn’t expected to take a quarterback with the second overall pick, the team is likely to shift its focus to defense. With that selection, the Jets will likely target a pass rusher, with essentially three players to choose from.
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With Fernando Mendoza expected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, the second pick appears to be leaning towards one particular player, as indicated by the recent betting market.
New York Jets are the betting favorite to select raw talent 2nd overall
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Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) reacts during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin.
As Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk points out, DraftKings lists Ohio State’s Swiss Army Knife Arvell Reese as the betting favorite to be selected second overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. He has higher odds than Texas Tech’s EDGE rusher David Bailey, fellow Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, and Miami’s EDGE rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
“Reese has been the betting favorite to be the No. 2 pick in the draft for most of this year, but the odds are growing to the point where he’s now an overwhelming -250 favorite to go second overall,” Smith said.
“If Reese doesn’t go second overall, the next-shortest odds for the No. 2 pick are Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at +350, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at +1100 and Miami defensive end Rueben Bain at +1200.”
Arvell Reese is a raw prospect, having only stepped into a full-time starting role in 2025. At 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, and running a 4.46 40-yard dash, he possesses explosive athleticism and versatility, lining up both as an off-ball linebacker and pass rusher. While Reese primarily played off-ball linebacker, he excelled in limited pass-rushing opportunities, posting seven sacks, a 15.3% career pass-rush win rate, and 24.6% pressure rate, comparable to Micah Parsons, T.J. Watt, Josh Hines-Allen, Haason Reddick, and Abdul Carter.
Whoever selects the raw talent will need a plan for where to play him in the NFL, as Micah Parsons eventually transitioned into a full-time EDGE rusher as a rookie after spending some time as an off-ball linebacker. Reese could drop into coverage on early downs and rush the passer on obvious passing downs for the Jets, who will utilize a 3-4 scheme on base defense.
Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles career numbers with some past prospects. Reese 138 career pass rush snaps, Parsons had 135. Just feels like a wide range of outcomes pic.twitter.com/M9Nb41ZYC3
— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) March 26, 2026
Here’s a quick review of his 2025 campaign
NFL Draft
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (61) blocks Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
As previously mentioned, Arvell Reese stepped into the full-time starting role, setting career highs and earning First-Team All-Big 10 and All-American honors. He totaled 69 tackles, ten TFLs, 6.5 sacks, and two pass breakups across 14 games and 651 defensive snaps, including 251 coverage snaps, 119 pass-rush snaps, and 281 run-defense snaps. Reese also posted a 14% pass-rush win rate, 27 pressures, a 23% pressure rate, a 6.4% run stop rate, and allowed a 99 passer rating in coverage.
“At 20 years old, Reese is still growing into his frame and his game, but learning from James Laurinaitis (linebackers coach) and Matt Patricia (defensive coordinator) should give him a head start in acclimating to the pro game. He plays off-ball linebacker and stand-up edge with the talent to post impact production from either spot. His third-down versatility adds alignment variety and helps camouflage defensive intent.
” His run diagnosis and angles of attack are average, but he flows quickly once he triggers, using assertive hands to stack and play off blocks. He’s fast in pursuit and his tackle finishing could become elite. His rush is kinetic and tough for tackles to mirror.
“It’s under construction, but Reese has already sprouted go-to moves and rush plans that need more refinement. He might need some runway to hit his stride, but his rare blend of traits, explosiveness and versatility could become a perfect storm of chaos once a defense decides how to deploy him.”
He projects him as a Pro Bowl talent.