Jets Favor Arvell Reese At No. 2 Overall?
With the Raiders all but guaranteed to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall, there is more intrigue surrounding the Jets at No. 2. A pair of Ohio State linebackers, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, as well as Texas Tech edge defender David Bailey are candidates for New York’s top selection. Still two-plus weeks away from having to make a decision on April 23, the Jets are “leaning toward” Reese, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.
[RELATED: Jets, Cardinals Could Take Similar Approach]
Reese’s versatility may tip the scales in his favor as the Jets transition to a 3-4 base defense that will use multiple fronts. As Cimini notes, Reese played 356 snaps at outside linebacker and 238 as an off-ball LB in 2025. Reese handled all responsibilities with aplomb during a season in which he earned consensus All-America honors and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year. The 6-foot-4, 241-pounder totaled 69 tackles, 10 TFL and 6.5 sacks over 14 games.
Although Reese did not post gaudy numbers in 2024 (43 tackles and a half-sack in 16 games), Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is unconcerned. In that regard, Glenn likens Reese to Texans five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter, who recorded just 4.5 sacks in three years at LSU. Hunter has since racked up 114.5 during a prolific decade in the pros.
“His stats weren’t up there, but he had all the traits and he’s had a coach that can coach him to be where he’s at right now,” Glenn said of Hunter (via Cimini). “So I look at [Reese] the same way. Man, it’s a combination of the traits and this combination of the football character again. Is that player coachable enough to be able to do the things that you want him to do to be successful?”
By now, Glenn and the Jets should have a good idea of whether Reese is “coachable.” Jets brass took extra time to meet with Reese at Ohio State’s pro day in late March. They also dined with Reese in Columbus, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Cimini). If the Jets draft Reese, it would give them another pass rusher to join holdover Will McDonald and free agent pickups Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. He would also supply another off-ball option to a team that reunited with Demario Davis in free agency and has Jamien Sherwood entering the second season of a three-year, $45MM deal.
Turning to other early draft possibilities for the Jets, it would count as “an upset” if they pass on taking a wide receiver sometime in the first two rounds, Cimini writes. No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell will play big roles in 2026, but the Jets have little else at the position. Considering the team owns four of the draft’s top 44 picks, that could change soon.
QB Will Levis Out In Tennessee?
After the Titans utilized the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft to draft Miami quarterback Cam Ward last year, it was clear that Will Levis‘ time as a starter in Tennessee had likely come to an end. So far, in 2026, the Titans have added two more quarterbacks in free agency, and this time, there’s a chance it could spell the end of his time in Tennessee altogether.
Levis arrived in Nashville as a second-round pick out of Kentucky. He was selected in much the same manner as Malik Willis, who came out of the third round the prior year. Both young passers were being given a chance to stake out a role as the future at quarterback for the Titans in the dying days of Ryan Tannehill‘s NFL career. Willis had disappointed in a short sample size starting as a rookie, and Tennessee felt the need to bring in some added competition from the top few rounds of the draft.
After Tannehill got injured, a rookie Levis stepped up and, thanks to a four-touchdown game in his first start, looked like a promising option for the position moving forward. In nine games, Levis averaged about 200.9 passing yards per game with eight touchdowns to only four interceptions. When both Tannehill and Willis departed the next year, Levis was named the starter for 2024. An AC joint injury limited him to only 12 games, but Levis’ 13 touchdowns to 12 interceptions while averaging just 174.3 yards per game were a disappointing followup in his sophomore campaign, handing the Titans Ward at the top of the draft.
Before the 2025 season, Levis underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in July aimed at resolving an issue to prioritize his long-term health. With Levis out of the picture, the Titans signed veteran reserve options Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle, with Allen winning QB2 honors and backing up Ward during his rookie season. Allen boasted starting experience from his time filling in for an injured Joe Flacco on the 2019 Broncos then again the next year, when he started five games in place of an injured rookie Joe Burrow.
This offseason, the Titans signed two more new arms in free agency, inking veteran Mitchell Trubisky and Hendon Hooker to new deals. According to Jim Wyatt, a senior writer/editor for the Titans, Trubisky is not just coming in to serve as the veteran voice of experience in a young quarterbacks room, he’s coming to fill the QB2 role behind Ward.
That means two things for Levis. Either, he will compete with Hooker for the QB3 job and a likely spot on the practice squad, or he will be traded to another team that may want to give him more of a chance to play. In order to put him on the taxi squad, Levis will need to be subjected to the waiver wire, where any team would have the chance to claim him with the Titans getting nothing in return. Considering that, it makes far more sense for Tennessee to attempt to get something for Levis now before they need determine whether to risk him on the waiver wire or keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.
One team that may be willing to trade for Levis is the Jets. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, New York could be looking to add a veteran backup before the draft, and a healthy Levis could be the perfect puzzle piece to their current roster. If the Titans determine that Levis is the odd man out in their quarterbacks room, offloading him to the Jets could be a best case scenario for all involved.
Jets, Cardinals Could Have Similar Approach To Top Of Draft
Crowded together at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jets and Cardinals find themselves in a bittersweet situation. With the second and third overall picks in the first round, each franchise has a great opportunity to add an elite talent, but while both squads have a need at the sport’s most important position, this year’s draft is not lining up to reward them with one to select with their top draft picks.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is widely considered the consensus QB2 of the draft class behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to go No.1 overall to the Raiders. Unfortunately for Simpson and both teams, taking the Crimson Tide passer at Nos. 2 or 3 overall would be seen as a huge reach, so if either team were interested in landing the second-best quarterback prospect, it might require some maneuvering for another slot in the first round.
The Jets currently hold pick Nos. 2, 16, 33, and according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, there’s belief New York will exit the second round of the draft with a pass rusher and a quarterback, but that could happen in several different ways. Per Rapoport, the Jets are widely expected to select a pass rusher with the second overall pick. Versatile Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese has been a popular projection for New York there, but Texas Tech’s David Bailey also recently met with the team.
Rapoport also expects them to do their homework on all the possible options available at No. 2. They recently hosted Reese’s running mate in the Buckeyes’ linebacking corps, Sonny Styles, for a top 30 visit. Per Rapoport, Styles, also an expected top 10 pick, has plans to visit the Bengals, as well, though his trip to Cincinnati will be a considered a local visit, not a top 30.
To address the quarterback position, a lot rides on where exactly the Jets value Simpson. If they value him enough, they could chance him being around for their 16th overall pick in the first round. If things are trending in a direction that feels as if Simpson won’t make it that far, they could utilize their first overall pick of the second round to potentially try to trade up and land the quarterback. Alternatively, if using the 16th pick still feels like a stretch for Simpson, New York may explore increasing their collection of draft picks with a move further back in the first round.
As for the Cardinals, Rapoport claims it would surprise him if they drafted Simpson third overall, but at the same time, he acknowledges that we’ve seen the precedent for it in the past. He asserts that Arizona could simply fall in love with Simpson enough to select him that early. More likely, though, the Cardinals may look back just a year to an example set by the Giants. Following the approach New York used to add an elite pass rusher before trading back into the first round for a quarterback, the Cardinals may opt to do the same.
Where Simpson could fall in the first round (or later) has been a huge topic of debate. Early conjecture speculated that it might be prudent to move up past the Steelers at 21 to land Simpson, while further evaluation suggested trading into the back end of the first round, just ahead of the Dolphins at 30, would be the likely move. In recent weeks, Simpson’s chances of landing with either team in the first round have gone way down. In a mid-March episode of The McShay Show podcast, Todd McShay of The Ringer guaranteed that Simpson would “for a fact” not be the Steelers’ pick at No. 21, suggesting the team has more of a third-round value on the Crimson Tide quarterback.
Though Simpson recently visited Miami, ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald) did “not believe (the) Dolphins are in the mix for him.” Additionally, all four teams have done homework on other passers in the draft. Notably, since March 21, Miami quarterback Carson Beck has met with each team. Beck and the other projected mid-round quarterbacks offer secondary options for the teams that don’t land Simpson and may end up being preferred options if their draft slot more appropriately fits their value.
These represent just a few of several possibilities that could play out at the end of the month. There is no shortage of quarterback needs in the NFL, but seeing the Giants land their potential franchise passer later on in the first round a year ago has opened the door for a number of mind games to play out. We’ll see how well these draft day decision makers can play poker down the stretch as we await the final weekend in April.
Makai Lemon Sets Up Four More Visits
As one of the best wide receivers in this year’s draft class, USC’s Makai Lemon has a chance to come off the board in the top half of the first round. Several teams with high picks have met or will meet with Lemon, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. In addition to the previously reported Titans (No. 4), Commanders (seventh) and Saints (eighth), the Jets (second and 16th), Giants (fifth), Chiefs (ninth) and Dolphins (11th and 30th) are on the list.
The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon lined up in the slot over 75% of the time during his three-year run in college. He got off to a quiet start with the Trojans in 2023, quarterback Caleb Williams‘ last season at the helm. Lemon caught just six passes in nine games, but he made significant progress in his final two seasons at USC.
After hauling in 52 passes for 754 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games in 2024, those numbers soared to 79-1,156-six in a dozen contests last year. Lemon earned the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best receiver in college football, and finished his USC tenure with just four drops in 33 games.
Whether Lemon is the best receiver in this year’s class is up for debate, especially with Ohio State’s Carnell Tate in the mix. But Lemon at least appears to be a surefire first-rounder. In ranking Lemon as the No. 12 prospect available, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com writes that comparisons to Lions superstar and fellow USC product Amon-Ra St. Brown are “warranted.” Considering St. Brown has amassed a record 547 receptions in his first five seasons, that’s lofty praise.
Expecting a St. Brown-like impact may be unrealistic, but Lemon should provide an upgrade to his next team’s receiving corps. He is probably not a candidate for the Jets at No. 2 overall, but if Lemon is still on the board for their second pick, they could grab him as a much-needed Garrett Wilson complement. In heading to the Giants, Lemon would replace departed slot target Wan’Dale Robinson and partner with No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers.
We learned Friday that Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice will not face a suspension for domestic violence allegations, but off-field issues and injuries have held him out of 23 games in his three-year career. Rice also has just one year left on his rookie contract. Regardless of whether he is part of the Chiefs’ long-term plans, their receiving corps could stand to improve around Rice and 2024 first-rounder Xavier Worthy.
Meanwhile, having traded Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos, the Dolphins clearly have the least talented cast of receivers in this bunch. Adding Lemon would give newly signed starting quarterback Malik Willis a second exciting weapon to pair with running back De’Von Achane.
David Bailey Visits Cardinals, Chiefs, Cowboys, Jets
6:35pm: Bailey also visited the Jets, Rapoport adds. They are looking for a young edge rusher to pair with 2023 first-rounder Will McDonald after trading Jermaine Johnson to the Titans. New York holds the No. 2 pick, which is the earliest Bailey could be drafted with the Raiders all but certain to select Fernando Mendoza first overall.
5:03pm: Texas Tech edge rusher and projected first-round pick David Bailey has made his rounds around the NFL during the pre-draft process. He first visited the Cardinals in early March with trips to the Chiefs and the Cowboys this week, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Bailey, 22, is widely expected to be selected in the first 10 picks of April’s draft. He began his college career at Stanford with solid production from 2022 to 2024. In 2025, he transferred to Texas Tech and mounted an All-American campaign in Lubbock with an FBS-high 14.5 sacks and a Big 12-high 19.5 tackles for loss.
That production, combined with an excellent performance at the Combine, vaulted Bailey to the top of a strong draft class at his position. Among edge rushers, his 4.50-second 40-yard dash trailed only fellow projected top-10 pick Arvell Reese, and his 10-foot-9 broad jump ranked third.
With BJ Ojulari and Baron Browning in the last year of their contracts, the Cardinals could use a foundational edge rusher to build their defense around. Bailey is arguably the best one available, and the shorter-than-average arms of his primary competition, Rueben Bain, might scare Arizona away from using the No. 3 pick on him. Bailey brings no such length concerns, though his slim frame and lack of elite power are knocks on his game.
The Chiefs, who hold the ninth overall pick, could also use another high-upside edge rusher opposite 2022 first-rounder George Karlaftis. Bailey’s speed-rushing capabilities could complement Karlaftis’ power and ensure that Kansas City’s pass rush continues to thrive even if Chris Jones retires in the next few years.
The Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Packers just before the 2025 regular season, and his absence loomed large all year long. Dallas has built some depth off the edge with Rashan Gary joining Sam Williams and 2025 second-rounder Donovan Ezeiruaku, but none can match Bailey’s long-term upside. No one player can truly replace Parsons, but adding an explosive pass rusher like Bailey would be a good start.
Jets Meet With RB Jeremiyah Love
While the Jaguars and Seahawks respectively let Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker leave in free agency, the Jets kept Breece Hall off the market via the franchise tag. Hall extension talks are slated for after the draft.
It would stand to reason the Jets will go just about anywhere but running back at No. 2 overall, and a few tantalizing options await the rebuilding team in that draft slot. New York has been primarily linked to pass rushers there. But the team is still doing its due diligence on the top prospects who will be available at 2.
[RELATED: Jets Hopeful About Hall Extension]
Running back Jeremiyah Love met with the Jets over breakfast recently, according to the New York Post’s Brian Costello. Saquon Barkley and Reggie Bush are the only running backs to be drafted in the top two over the past 20 years, and while Love’s floor may be the Commanders at No. 7 (with the Giants viewed as heavily in play at 5), it would be a near-shocking development to see him go to the Jets at No. 2.
A scenario in which the Jets trade down slightly from 2 and select Love could conceivably be in play, though a team with many needs doubling up at running back would be a questionable roster-building route. Then again, this Jets regime did not draft Hall. A tag-and-trade transaction would stand to be in play if the Jets made the unlikely decision to draft Love, but teams will have largely filled their running back needs by the time the draft ends. If the Jets were going to make such a move with Hall, striking before free agency would have been the better plan. But it seems likely an extension comes to fruition.
Scoring 40 touchdowns over the past two seasons, Love amassed 1,652 scrimmage yards in 2025 and 1,362 in 2024. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry in both seasons and exits South Bend with 433 carries, keeping his mileage relatively low for a prospect on this level (Barkley left Penn State with 671 career totes).
The Jets have been more closely tied to Arvell Reese or David Bailey at No. 2, with previous intel pointing to — especially after the Jermaine Johnson trade — New York going with an edge rusher with this premium draft slot. The Jets met with Reese last week. Love will be likely to follow Bijan Robinson as a top-eight pick, but if he is to head to the Big Apple, it will be more likelier he dons a blue uniform for his home games than a green one.
Jets Unlikely To Draft QB Ty Simpson; Cooper Rush On Team’s Radar
Since it was learned Dante Moore would be staying in college for the 2026 season, the Jets’ quarterback approach for the upcoming draft has been a question mark. New York owns two first-round selections, but it remains to be seen if strong consideration will be given to using one of them on Ty Simpson.
The one-year Alabama starter has drawn a wide range of opinions regarding his draft stock, but interest has been shown by a number of teams. That includes the Jets, as illustrated by the workout Simpson recently conducted with the them. At this point, though, it may come as a surprise if Simpson were to wind up in New York.
During his latest appearance on Jets Final Drive, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic predicted the Jets will not select Simpson given the risk involved with doing so. New York could elect to wait until next year’s draft to identify a long-term starter. That is an approach expected of other teams as well with next year’s class held in much higher regard than this year’s. As such, a veteran backup to trade acquisition Geno Smith will be a strong possibility.
On that note, SNY’s Connor Hughes confirms (video link) the Jets’ preference was to sign Carson Wentz in free agency. Doing so would have reunited him with new offensive coordinator Frank Reich, but Wentz wound up remaining in place with the Vikings. The list of remaining free agents has been thinned out since the new league year began, but there are still a few veteran passers on the market.
Of those, Hughes names Cooper Rush as one to watch closely. The longtime Cowboys backup joined the Ravens on a two-year deal last spring, but things did not go according to plan during his time in the lineup. Rush was expectedly released in March, and he has not previously been linked to any suitors. The 32-year-old has made 16 starts and 42 appearances in his career, and he would be familiar with a backup gig in the event he signed on to be New York’s QB2.
Hughes adds that Tyrod Taylor is still well-liked in the Jets’ building. Another deal for the Jets’ 2024 and ’25 backup will be something to watch for as a result. Taylor, 36, made four starts last season following Justin Fields‘ benching; he has totaled 62 in his career. A low-cost contract allowing him to remain in the QB2 role would give New York a bridge tandem under center in advance of the 2027 draft.
Smith is in position to start for the Jets, something which was the case for his first two years in the NFL. How the team approaches the quarterback position over the coming weeks will be something to watch for, with a stopgap veteran seeming to be more likely than a high-profile draft investment at this point.
2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2023 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th top salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth, and weeks remain until this year’s deadline. In the meantime, we will use the space below to track all the 2027 option decisions from around the league:
- QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): To be exercised
- QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): To be exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM)
- QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM)
- CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
- LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM)
- DE Tyree Wilson, Raiders ($14.48MM)
- RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM)
- DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM)
- RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM)
- G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM)
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM)
- DE Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM)
- LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM)
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): To be exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM)
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): To be exercised
- LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM)
- DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM)
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised*
- WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM)
- WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): To be exercised
- WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): To be exercised
- CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM)
- TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): To be exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM)
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): To be exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM)
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM)
- DE Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM)
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($13.75MM)
* = Seahawks gave Smith-Njigba four-year, $168.6MM extension
Jets ‘Hopeful’ About Breece Hall Extension
The Jets placed the franchise tag on Breece Hall, ensuring he will remain in New York in 2026. They envision, however, a much longer-term partnership with their star running back via a multi-year extension.
“Things are in a good place and I’m hopeful with Breece,” general manager Darren Mougey said at league meetings this week (via Brian Costello of the New York Post). “Obviously, we’ll get through this draft process. And after the draft kind of shift my focus back there and hopefully get something done with Breece.”
Hall’s tag is worth $14.293MM, the fifth-highest AAV at his position, per OverTheCap. Directly ahead of him is Kenneth Walker at $14.35MM per year, a figure that is no accident. The two were taken five picks apart in the 2022 draft and have comparable career numbers, highlighted by their very similar 2025 campaigns. With Hall tagged, Walker was able to secure a slightly bigger annual salary with the third-most guaranteed money for a veteran running back in league history.
That, in turn, will likely set Hall’s expectations for a long-term deal with the Jets, particularly on the guarantee front. But will New York want to pay up for a running back who, in terms of both volume and efficiency, has never ranked among the league’s top 10 at his position?
Investing so much in a running back has long been dicey proposition, but there has been a resurgence in recent years. The Jets are looking to add a young franchise quarterback in the near future, and a strong running game is an easy way to help out rookie passers. Hall has also been durable with only two absences in the last three years.
Jets Expect To Pick Up Will McDonald’s Fifth-Year Option
Although general manager Darren Mougey was not in place when the Jets drafted Will McDonald 15th overall in 2023, he is prepared to keep the edge rusher around for at least two more seasons. Mougey said Monday that the Jets expect to pick up McDonald’s $14.48MM fifth-year option for 2027 (via Connor Hughes of SNY).
A year after using a first-rounder on pass rusher Jermaine Johnson, ex-GM Joe Douglas doubled down in taking McDonald. A former Iowa standout, McDonald filled a limited role during a 15-game, zero-start rookie campaign. The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder played just 16.18% of defensive snaps and totaled three sacks, though the Jets’ reliance on McDonald has increased heavily since then.
New York fired defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh and replaced him with D-coordinator Jeff Ulbrich during the 2024 season, a career year for McDonald. While playing all 17 games and starting 15, McDonald posted personal bests in pressures (61), quarterback hits (24), tackles for loss (11) and sacks (10.5).
Despite his quality pass-rushing production two years ago, Pro Football Focus ranked McDonald a below-average 79th among 121 edge defenders. A poor grade against the run was the culprit, which was the case again in 2025. Playing his first year under another defensive-minded head coach, Aaron Glenn, McDonald ranked 84th among 115 players at his position (via PFF). Over 15 games and 14 starts, the 26-year-old’s pressures dropped to 42. The rest of his numbers also declined to some degree. He registered 19 QB hits, 10 TFL and eight sacks (four of which came in a Week 10 outburst against the Browns) before suffering a season-ending knee injury in December.
McDonald drew interest leading up to last November’s trade deadline, but the Jets were more open to trading Johnson. They have since dealt Johnson to Tennessee, reuniting him with Saleh, for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. On the other hand, they remain committed to McDonald, who will team with free agent signing Joseph Ossai and potentially a first-round rookie as the Jets’ top edge rushers next season.