The 2026 NFL Draft essentially starts at pick two, with the Las Vegas Raiders all but guaranteed to select Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion Fernando Mendoza first overall.
This makes the New York Jets‘ selection at pick two the most interesting pick in the first round.
The Jets need a lot of help, but the general consensus is that for New York, it will come down to whoever they believe is the best player available.
For many draft experts and analysts, that is 20 year old edge rusher Arvell Reese.
Both NFL analysts Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah are in agreement on their Mock Draft 1.0.
“The do-it-all linebacker (69 tackles, 10 for loss, 6.5 sacks and two passes defensed in 2025) adds more blue-chip talent to a defense that significantly underachieved in Aaron Glenn’s debut season as Jets head coach,” Brooks wrote.
“The Jets have needs all over their defense. Reese is versatile and athletic. I think he’ll benefit from working off the edge full time after also playing off-ball linebacker during his Buckeyes career,” Jeremiah wrote.
They aren’t the only analysts mocking the six-foot-four linebacker to the Jets, either.
For a team that needs it all, a player that can do it all seems like a match made in heaven.
Arvell Reese Is Unlike Any Player In The Draft
When All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons was coming out of the draft, he faced many of the same criticisms Reese has.
Their talent is apparent, but at the NFL level, many would like to see them focus on one position.
Parsons did a lot of stand-up work during his college career at Penn State, but he has developed into one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL.
Reese is the same story. He was used in several ways for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He came off the edge just as frequently as he dropped back into coverage.
Where others see a weakness, I see a real strength.
There is nothing more important in the NFL than the ability to be multiple.
Reese is a player who can play in a 3-4 or nickel package, rush the passer like a natural edge, and not only be a viable option in man and zone coverage, but thrive.
The reason I and so many others feel so strongly about this is because of who coached him during his time at The.
Matt Patricia Coached Reese
The defensive coordinator for Reese was former New England Patriots DC and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia.
Patricia did not see the NFL prospect and thought it would be best for his team and the player if he focused on one position.
Patricia moved Reese all over the field.
This provided a blueprint for all 32 NFL teams watching on how versatile the player really is.
“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,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote. “His third-down versatility adds alignment variety and helps camouflage defensive intent… 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.”
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