David Bailey at No. 2? Making sense of the NY Jets draft rumor

It’s the time of year for smokescreens heading into the NFL draft. The New York Jets know this well.

Organizations around the league are beginning their final preparations ahead of draft day in a few weeks. During this time, rumors usually run rampant, spreading what the intentions will inevitably be for franchises.

In the case of the Jets, armed with four picks in the top 50 overall, the team can go in a number of different directions to improve its roster heading into 2026. While many analysts have tied the team to Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese, a growing faction seems to be pushing a different player at the feet of the team…

Texas Tech superstar David Bailey.

Jets’ updated draft rumors

For the majority of the pre-draft process, Reese has been the expected pick for the Jets with the second overall selection. Most sportsbooks still have the Ohio State product as the runaway favorite for the pick as well.

But recent rumors from top draft analysts seem to be saying a different tune.

Daniel Jeremiah and Peter Schrager have reported that the Jets may not have as much interest in Reese as they do in the Texas Tech star.

“We were talking, full disclosure, before we launched here today,” Jeremiah said. “We’re kind of hearing the same thing, that as we’re coming down the home stretch here, [the Jets’ No. 2 pick] feels more like [David] Bailey, bird-in-the-hand pick, versus the upside pick with [Arvell] Reese.”

Jeremiah’s comments caused an uproar among Jets fans. Some in the base believe that Reese’s upside is too good to pass up, while others believe Bailey is the more pro-ready performer.

Either player would be a good fit for a Jets team that finished dead last in the league in sacks and among the worst in pressure rate last season.

But those rumors, even from top analysts, raise an interesting point and may highlight other fliers that have been raised around the league.

The Cowboy of it all

New York doesn’t have to make a decision yet regarding who they will choose with the second overall pick. But a recent rumor in NFL circles has come out at an interesting time, right before Jeremiah’s report.

And it centers around the Dallas Cowboys.

On his podcast this week, draft analyst Todd McShay explained that the Cowboys had interest in Bailey and may be willing to do whatever is necessary to get the Texas Tech product.

“Trading out of No. 3 remains one of the priorities, or one of the things that could absolutely happen with Arizona,” McShay said. “There’s a lot of buzz about Dallas, and what comes to the noise, with Dallas trading up from 12 to three to get Bailey, right?

“Keep it in state. Texas Tech, pass rusher. Most importantly, they’ve put all their efforts into rebuilding that defense over the last year.”

Days after this initial report came out, the Jets have seemingly swapped their belief in choosing the pure pass rusher, Bailey, over Reese.

Now, why would that happen?

Final verdict

The recent swap between Bailey and Reese seems similar to the Jets’ 2024 debate between tackle Olu Fashanu and tight end Brock Bowers. Fashanu was seemingly always the pick, but rumors about interest in the top tight end out of Georgia.

In 2025, the team had a similar call. Armand Membou always seemed to be the pick, but growing rumors of tight end Tyler Warren didn’t go away either.

The latest rumors between Bailey and Reese seem to be of the same cloth.

For starters, teams like the Cowboys and other defensive-needy organizations have been eyeing a trade up for months. This isn’t a new situation. The fact that the Jets would be willing to openly discuss their true interest in Bailey should send alarm bells ringing among fans.

It’s essentially telling Dallas, “If you don’t increase your offer, we’ll simply draft the player you want.”

That’s a strategy that has worked in the past. But it also doesn’t hide the team’s true plans. New York is going to take the best edge defender in the draft. Whoever they believe that is hasn’t been decided yet. It doesn’t have to be for a couple of weeks at least.

The Jets are operating with obvious gamesmanship right now, heading into the 2026 draft. Recent rumors surrounding a renewed interest in Bailey are just the latest evidence of that.

It may mean the team isn’t off the idea of making Reese their intended pick, though.