{"id":699000,"date":"2026-01-23T13:47:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T13:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/699000\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T13:47:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T13:47:14","slug":"ny-jets-fans-have-a-preferred-selection-with-no-2-overall-pick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/699000\/","title":{"rendered":"NY Jets fans have a preferred selection with No. 2 overall pick"},"content":{"rendered":"

Who should the New York Jets select with the second overall draft pick<\/a> if they cannot land a quarterback?<\/p>\n

It seems that a favorite option has emerged among Jets fans.<\/p>\n

Jets fans vote on No. 2 pick<\/p>\n

If the Jets were ideally positioned to take a quarterback second overall, it is likely that fans would universally agree that the team should go in that direction. New York is coming off a season in which its leading passer, Justin Fields, threw for 1,259 yards and seven touchdowns. The Jets\u2019 need for a franchise signal-caller is dire.<\/p>\n

However, the Jets are unfortunate to have landed the second overall pick in a draft where it may not be wise to take a quarterback in that slot.<\/p>\n

The Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to select Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. After Mendoza, the only other quarterback with a consensus first-round grade is Alabama\u2019s Ty Simpson, although many believe Simpson would be a reach at No. 2.<\/p>\n

That means the Jets may have to settle for the best non-quarterback in the 2026 draft class\u2014although it\u2019s far from a bad consolation prize for a franchise that needs upgrades at every position group on the field.<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t know which direction the Jets themselves are leaning, but we can take the temperature of the fanbase, and it seems they have a preferred option with the second pick.<\/p>\n

I posted a poll on X\/Twitter asking Jets fans who they would prefer to select out of the following prospects: Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey, Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., and Ohio State LB\/EDGE Arvell Reese. With over 1,000 votes as of this writing, here are the results:<\/p>\n

Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL): 43.3%<\/p>\n

Arvell Reese, LB\/EDGE, Ohio State: 27.1%<\/p>\n

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech: 22.2%<\/p>\n

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State 7.4%<\/p>\n

Who would you take at #2 out of these four?<\/p>\n

\u2014 Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) January 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Fresh off a standout performance in the College Football Playoff national championship game, Bain has apparently emerged as the fanbase\u2019s preferred option for the No. 2 pick, although fans are split. Over a quarter of voters are leaning toward Reese, while another two out of nine voters prefer Bailey.<\/p>\n

It seems clear, though, that Jets fans want to see a premier edge rusher added to a defense that had zero interceptions and 26 sacks last season. Nearly 93% of voters chose one of the three edge rushers instead of Tate, the consensus No. 1 wide receiver prospect. Tate\u2019s profile suggests he has an excellent chance<\/a> of becoming a standout WR1 in the NFL.<\/p>\n

All three of Bain, Reese, and Bailey are elite-level prospects with the upside to become stars in the NFL. However, according to their analytical profiles in key college metrics<\/a> that tend to correlate with NFL success for first-round EDGE prospects, it is actually Bailey who appears to have the best chance<\/a> of becoming an NFL superstar.<\/p>\n

As the draft process progresses, events like the Senior Bowl<\/a>, the combine, pro days, and visits will alter the stocks of prospects across the draft board. It will be fascinating to monitor how the fanbase\u2019s consensus opinions fluctuate over the next couple of months.<\/p>\n

For now, it appears that fans would like to see the Jets use their first pick on an edge rusher if they do not land a quarterback, with Bain, the terrifying 275-pound defensive end from Miami, being the favorite.<\/p>\n