FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets own the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and according to the industry’s most connected insiders, they won’t have to think twice. In his latest mock draft released Wednesday, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman locked Ohio State phenom Arvell Reese to Gang Green, labeling the linebacker-edge hybrid the safest superstar prospect in years.
The Prospect Even the Jets Can’t Miss
New York enters the 2026 season in the middle of a radical identity shift. Under head coach Aaron Glenn, the franchise has prioritized defensive grit, and Reese fits that mold like a custom-made jersey. Reese stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 243 pounds, yet he moves with the fluidity of a safety. Feldman didn’t mince words about the pairing, stating that Reese represents the “surest bet for future stardom” in this class. His assessment was blunt: the talent is so undeniable that not even a franchise with New York’s history of draft-day drama can mess this up.
Reese finished his 2025 campaign at Ohio State as a Consensus All-American and the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year. He wasn’t just a stat-sheet stuffer; he was a tactical nightmare. He spent time as a traditional stack linebacker before moving to the edge to terrorize quarterbacks. He even handled nickel coverage duties against elite slot receivers. That versatility is exactly what Glenn needs to ignite a unit that traded away Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner just months ago.
- Age: 20 (Turns 21 before the 2026 opener)
- 2025 Stats: 8 sacks, 23 total pressures, and an 87.0 PFF run-defense grade.
- Draft Capital: New York holds picks No. 2, No. 16, and No. 33.
“They asked him to do a ton, and he’s elite at everything. He’s playing stack linebacker better than the guy who only plays stack linebacker, and then he goes to edge and rushes the passer better than the guys who only have to rush the passer.”
— Anonymous Big Ten Offensive Coach via The Athletic
The Blueprint for Aaron Glenn
The atmosphere at 1 Jets Drive feels different this spring. You could sense the focus during the NFL Annual League Meetings in Phoenix earlier this week. Aaron Glenn has been vocal about building a defense that dictates the tempo rather than reacting to it. By pairing Reese with newly acquired veteran Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Jets are assembling a “chess piece” defense. Reese’s ability to act as a spy against mobile quarterbacks—a trait several Big Ten coordinators highlighted—makes him a required asset in an AFC East loaded with dual-threat talent.
With the draft just weeks away, the Jets are sitting on a gold mine of picks. While many fans are clamoring for a wide receiver to help Garrett Wilson, the consensus among scouts is clear: you don’t pass on a generational defender like Reese. He is the high-floor, sky-high-ceiling player who finally gives this rebuild its foundation.
