Who could the New York Jets take with the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft?

Feb. 23, 2026, 6:44 p.m. ET

New York Jets fans thought that Dante Moore was likely their new starting quarterback with the No. 2 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

Those dreams (or reservations) were shattered following Moore’s re-signing with the Oregon Ducks for a final season in Eugene before going pro. Former Nebraska Cornhuskers QB Dylan Raiola will back him up before taking over as the starting Ducks signal-caller in 2027.

So, what do the Jets do now?

While they could take a gigantic reach for the second-best QB on their board behind the projected No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, that doesn’t seem likely.

With two first-round picks, the Jets could easily move back from No. 2 if they wanted Alabama’s Ty Simpson or another QB.

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If they stay in the second spot, they will want to get an impact player, be it on offense or defense.

Right now, it’s a three-horse race with the oddsmakers on who the Jets will take second in two months.

The leader in the clubhouse is Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, who had 70 tackles for the Buckeyes last season and was a talisman in the middle of the defense for one of the best teams in college football.

If the Jets want some strength on the edge, they could grab Miami Hurricanes juggernaut Rueben Bain Jr., who was a monster on their run to the national title game. While he wasn’t at his best against the Indiana Hoosiers, he is the type of EDGE that can transform a defense instantly if he brings what he showed in college.

Finally, there’s Texas Tech’s David Bailey, another defensive end, but he took a different path than the Hurricanes EDGE.

While Reuben Bain Jr. was a top-five prospect from the start of the season, Bailey rose from a middle-to-late first-round selection to being looked at as a surefire top-five pick in most mocks.

While they could go for the wide receiver of their choice, the wideout depth in the 2026 NFL Draft is so outstanding that they should get a potential superstar with their 16th pick.