The New York Jets are on the clock, and the smoke is clearing. With the 2026 NFL Draft just days away, draft insider Todd McShay reports that Gang Green has found its man. The pick? Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. After a season where the Jets’ pass rush disappeared into thin air, the front office appears ready to pull the trigger on the most versatile defender in the class.
New York finished the 2025 season ranked 31st in sacks. The defense struggled to breathe. Bringing in Reese isn’t just a choice; it’s a necessity. Reese didn’t just play for the Buckeyes; he terrorized backfields. In 2025, he racked up 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks while splitting time between the edge and the second level. He moves like a safety but hits like a freight train. For a Jets squad that needs an identity shift, Reese fits the bill perfectly.
McShay Intel: The Simpson and Love Effect
The top of the draft board is rarely this volatile. McShay’s latest intel suggests that the quarterback market is heating up faster than anyone expected. Alabama’s Ty Simpson remains the wildcard. While some scouts worry about his 6-foot-1 frame, his surgical precision during the 2025 season keeps him in the top-five conversation. If the Arizona Cardinals want him, they can’t afford to sit at No. 3. Rumors indicate they are actively shopping that pick to move even higher, or potentially out of the slot entirely if a team gets desperate for Simpson.
Then there is Jeremiyah Love. The Notre Dame standout is the name on everyone’s lips. McShay expects Love to be gone before pick No. 7. Teams are hunting for explosive playmakers who can catch out of the backfield, and Love is the premier “home run” threat in this cycle. The Tennessee Titans at No. 4 are the team to watch here. If they pass on a tackle, Love is the likely beneficiary.
Why Arvell Reese is the Right Call for Gang Green
The Jets need a closer. Last year, they let leads slip because they couldn’t force a mistake. Reese is a hybrid. He spent 50 percent of his snaps in 2025 as a pure edge rusher and 44 percent as an interior linebacker. That flexibility allows head coach Aaron Glenn to get creative. You could feel the frustration in the stands at MetLife last December as opposing quarterbacks had all day to throw. Reese changes that dynamic on day one.
| Prospect | School | 2025 Key Stat | Draft Projection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arvell Reese | Ohio State | 6.5 Sacks / 10 TFL | Top 3 |
| Ty Simpson | Alabama | 21 TDs (First 9 Games) | Top 5 |
| David Bailey | Texas Tech | 14.5 Sacks (FBS Lead) | Top 10 |
| Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame | 900+ Scrimmage Yards | Top 7 |
A Franchise-Defining Moment
Walking through the halls of the Jets’ facility in Florham Park, you sense a different energy this week. The staff knows they can’t miss. While some fans still clamor for another swing at a quarterback, the bridge plan with Geno Smith suggests the team wants to build the foundation first. Reese provides that foundation. He isn’t just a prospect; he’s a physical force that demands a double-team on every snap.
The wind was howling during Reese’s pro day in Columbus, but his speed didn’t waver. He looked every bit like a top-two pick. If McShay’s belief holds true, the Jets are about to land the cornerstone their defense has lacked since the departure of Quinnen Williams. It’s a bold move, but in the AFC East, you either hunt the quarterback or you become the prey.
“I’m going to bed believing Reese is the Jets pick at 2… if the Cardinals want Ty Simpson, they better move WAY up.”
— Todd McShay, Draft Insider
