INDIANAPOLIS — The script just got flipped. For months, the echo chamber at One Jets Drive has been deafening: “With the second pick, the Jets select Arvell Reese.” It made sense. It felt safe. But with the 2026 NFL Combine looming, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has tossed a grenade into the mock draft landscape.
In his highly anticipated Mock Draft 2.0, Jeremiah predicts the New York Jets will bypass Ohio State’s linebacker phenom Arvell Reese entirely. Instead, he has Gang Green swinging for the fences with Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2 overall, followed by a crucial offensive line reinforcement at No. 16.
The Shock at No. 2: Why David Bailey?
If you haven’t been watching late-night Big 12 football, you might have missed the explosion. After transferring to Lubbock, Bailey turned into a human wrecking ball. We aren’t just talking about good stats; we are talking about video game numbers.
Bailey racked up 14.5 sacks and 81 total pressures in 2025. Those aren’t empty calories. Jeremiah, a former scout who doesn’t buy into hype without the tape to back it up, hinted at this move last week. While grinding through offensive tackle film, he noticed a recurring nightmare for Big 12 linemen: they were getting absolutely torched by Bailey.
The comp floating around isn’t subtle. With his elite burst and “ghost” move, scouts are whispering the name Micah Parsons. Like Parsons coming out, Bailey has questions about his anchor in the run game—he can get washed out if he doesn’t win early. But in a league dominated by Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, pass rush is king. Jeremiah is betting the Jets value 80+ pressures over a traditional off-ball linebacker like Reese.
Double Dip: Fixing the Trenches at No. 16
Jeremiah didn’t stop with the defense. At No. 16, he has the Jets pivoting to the interior offensive line with Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane.
This is a “meat and potatoes” pick that wins games in December. The Jets’ line was solid in 2025, but the left guard spot is a blinking red light with John Simpson hitting free agency. Ioane is a brick wall. In 311 pass-blocking snaps last season, he allowed zero sacks and zero hits. He’s violent, he’s heavy-handed, and he fits the Jets’ gap-scheme needs perfectly.
While other analysts are mocking USC receiver Makai Lemon here to give the offense more flash, Jeremiah sends Lemon to the Saints at No. 8, forcing New York to prioritize protection over playmakers.
“Finishing up the OT class and it seems like most of them have something in common—they got absolutely smoked by Texas Tech Edge David Bailey.”
— Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
Jeremiah’s Top 5 Breakdown
The ripple effect of the Bailey pick shakes up the entire board. Here is how the top of the draft looks in Jeremiah’s 2.0:
- 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (The Heisman winner goes first)
- 2. New York Jets: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
- 3. Arizona Cardinals: Francia Mauigoa, OT, Miami
- 4. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
- 5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Notable Slide: Arvell Reese falls to the Washington Commanders at No. 7.
What’s Next: The Combine Gauntlet
This mock draft sets the stage for a high-stakes week in Indianapolis. All eyes will be on Bailey. If he weighs in above 250 pounds and runs in the 4.5s, this “surprise” pick will become the consensus. For Ioane, the goal is simple: prove his foot speed can handle NFL stunts.
The Jets have a choice: the safe, high-floor linebacker in Reese, or the high-ceiling pass rusher in Bailey who could redefine their defense. Jeremiah thinks they choose violence.
