Jets insider not buying David Bailey visit explanation amid renewed Arvell Reese chatter

Throughout March, analysts who produce mock drafts predicted that the New York Jets would make Ohio State pass-rusher Arvell Reese the second overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

However, whispers emerged over the first two weeks of April linking Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey with the Jets. While Gang Green recently canceled the club's scheduled top-30 visit with Bailey, a report claimed that the Jets "had all the information they already needed" and "felt there was no reason for a visit" with the prospect. Jets and NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY seemingly isn't buying such chatter. 

Why Jets' David Bailey decision may be "interesting"

"The Jets' decision to cancel their top-30 visit with Bailey is interesting," Hughes wrote about predicting for a piece published on Thursday that the Jets will draft Reese instead of Bailey. "It might be much ado about nothing – they know everything they need to know about him, so why bring him in again? But if you were going to draft him, why not spend the extra time together showing him the facility? That was in the back of our mind with this pick." 

While The Athletic's Dane Brugler agrees that the Jets will draft Reese over Bailey, ESPN's Peter Schrager and Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN think New York is targeting Bailey. Brugler has Reese ranked as the draft's top overall prospect. ESPN's Field Yates has Bailey ranked No. 3 on his overall draft board and Reese at No. 4. For what it's worth, Hughes referred to Reese as "the defender with the most potential in the class."

Will the Jets not make the final David Bailey, Arvell Reese decision until April 23? 

"Sources SNY touched base with across the NFL do not yet have a clear reading on which direction New York goes," Hughes added about the Jets' Bailey-versus-Reese decision. "Those who stress Bailey are doing so under the understanding that he’s more NFL-ready than Reese, who is the upside pick." 

As it pertains to Hughes' final point, it's thought that second-year Jets head coach Aaron Glenn may need to tally more than a few wins to keep his job after New York finished this past season with a record of 3-14. Then again, perhaps the Jets are using smokescreens and hoping that they will be able to make a blockbuster trade with Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones to acquire more assets and move down in this year's draft order.