Personnel director, general manager react to Jets selecting David Bailey over Arvell Reese in NFL Draft

The New York Jets had sportsbooks and analysts guessing about what the team would do with the second pick of the 2026 NFL Draft up until the Jets grabbed Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey instead of Ohio State pass-rusher Arvell Reese with that asset. 

For a piece posted on Sunday, ESPN's Rich Cimini spoke with an AFC personnel director and an unnamed AFC coach about the Jets' decision. 

Jets made the right move in drafting David Bailey over Arvell Reese?

"You've seen him play the position, and his primary position is edge-rusher," the personnel director said while explaining why he thinks the Jets were right to choose Bailey over Reese. "The rush production was super high, with perhaps a better arsenal and more rush moves [than Reese] at the moment. Reese is a highly explosive athlete whose skills translate to edge defender. He didn't have the sack production that Bailey had because of how he was used, but he has pass-rush talent and potential."

Those running the Jets will now hope to be proven right, as the New York Giants drafted Reese at pick No. 5. Like Bailey, Reese will now play in home games held at MetLife Stadium. Thus, Jets fans will see and hear plenty about Reese if he becomes as good as advertised for the Giants. Before the draft, Dane Brugler of The Athletic named Reese as the No. 1 overall player in this year's class.

"[They're both] great players," the AFC coach said about Bailey and Reese. "Bailey is an edge guy only. Reese can create all kinds of problems and be a force multiplier for his teammates."

NFL general manager reacts to Jets' David Bailey, Arvell Reese call

Meanwhile, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US spoke with an unnamed general manager about the Jets drafting Bailey over Reese.

"They made the right call there, I really believe," the general manager told La Canfora. 

Additionally, a different general manager told La Canfora that he doesn't "even really mind" that the Jets took a flier on Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik with a fourth-round pick. Klubnik likely won't make a start for the Jets anytime soon, but the developmental prospect could be given an opportunity to at least compete for the team's QB1 job next summer.