The 2026 NFL draft is upon us. This is called “draft week,” and all sorts of things occur. Suddenly, healthy players have injury scares, athletes continue to rise and fall on draft big boards, and NFL head coaches are seen in hot tubs with the media.
For the Arizona Cardinals, this is a critical draft. Free agency solved a ton of holes, but the draft is how franchises are built for the future.
The Cardinals own the #3 pick in Round 1. They have selections early in all rounds.
The Las Vegas Raiders own the top overall pick and are expected to select QB Fernando Mendoza out of the National Champs, Indiana. Up next are the New York Jets. They have been predicted to take Ohio State EDGE rusher Arvell Reese for months now.
Those two picks are pretty much set. So, the draft will actually begin with Arizona’s selection, and whoever they take or trade the slot to will set the tone for the remainder of Round 1.
Just wait a sec. Put a pin in that thought. What if…..what if the Jets don’t take Reese. Yeah, what would happen next? New York taking Reese has just been pounded in our foreheads for so long, it’s just a known commodity that we don’t even think about any longer. Raiders: Mendoza. Jets: Reese. Done.
Reese is an absolute pass-rushing demon. If Jets GM Darren Mougey passes on Reese, he should be fired. On the spot. But there are whispers coming out New York, or is it New Jersey, that the Jets are leaning towards taking another EDGE rusher instead: David Bailey out of Texas Tech. They are infatuated with his 14.5 sacks, which led the FBS, from his final college season. They love his 4.5 speed despite him being a big-bodied backer standing 6’-4” and a beefy 251 pounds.
If it’s one thing the Jets need to make sure of coming out of this year’s draft, it’s to get at least one exceptional pass rusher. They ranked #31 in sacks last year with 26. Both Reese and Bailey will cover this need. And both will transition to the NFL seamlessly from the college level.
The fact is, the Jets spent a lot of time with Bailey at the Combine. They had dinner with him. New York reps were there for his Pro Day. They need a guy who can get to the quarterback often, and point to Reese’s six sack season as a comparison.
In free agency, the Jets spent a ton of money on the defense, and rightly so. It is assumed that their first pick at the number two overall spot will be a dynamic pass rusher. But now, the nameplate may change.
And if it does, then what? The Cardinals are then on the clock, and if they keep the pick, what happens next?
Reports that OT Francis Mauigoa may have back issues may scare off a team like the Cardinals. This would immediately focus their attention on the defense. Bailey was seen on a lot of NFL draft site boards for Arizona at the #3 pick. But, if he is gone…..well?
Do they simply take Reese? Is it just that easy? They are going into this draft needing a stud right tackle, a guard, and at least one backup offensive lineman. And suddenly, take a pass rusher?
One can only imagine what the defensive line would look like: Josh Sweat, Walter Nolen, Roy Lopez, and now Arvell Reese? Somebody needs to be pinched. Wow, a defensive line like this? Really? Could that actually happen?
And then all of a sudden, the entire first round goes into this tizzy with the new changes. The Tennessee Titans take another great EDGE rusher in Sonny Styles instead of RB Jeremiyah Love. The New York Football Giants at #5 take Love instead of CB Mansoor Delane. Then the Cleveland Browns don’t select WR Carnell Tate at Number 6 and opt for Mauigoa, who slipped. And safety Caleb Downs is the Round 1 athlete to drop the most spots, which happens every year to one single player.
What does all this mean? It means to pay attention past the Raiders pick. It may become the only normal aspect of the entire first round.