NFL Draft: 3 questions facing the Jets

The intrigue in Thursday’s NFL Draft will begin when the Jets are on the clock with the No. 2 pick.

It’s a virtual lock that quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be taken first overall by the Raiders.

“After that,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said, “is the unknown.”

Owners of picks 2, 16, 33 and 44, the Jets could be major players and big winners in this draft. They could select four starting-caliber prospects or move up for players they covet or move back to acquire more draft capital and fill more holes on the roster.

Three questions for the Jets:

1. What should they do with the No. 2 pick?

The Jets will have their choice of Ohio State linebacker/end Arvell Reese or Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. They should take the player whom general manager Darren Mougey and his staff believe will be the best for the franchise long term, not necessarily the one who can make an immediate impact and help save Aaron Glenn’s job.

Speculation has grown that Bailey will be the pick because he’s a polished pass rusher and more ready to step in and play for a coaching staff that badly needs wins. That can’t be what drives the Jets’ decision.

Reese is 20, two years younger than Bailey, and the more versatile defender. He could be used in a variety of ways in Glenn’s defense, which will utilize different fronts. Reese played in that type of defense at Ohio State under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, the former Patriots coordinator.

Bailey is a good fit on the edge if the Jets are using a 3-4 or 4-3 front. He led the FBS in sacks with 14.5.

“Reese has the higher ceiling, Bailey the higher floor,” Jeremiah said.

Jeremiah had the Jets taking Bailey in his latest mock draft. NFL Media draft analyst Chad Reuter had them selecting Reese.

Reese "stood out on a defense full of future pros,” Reuter told Newsday. “I can’t wait to see how he grows over the next few years.”

That’s what the Jets have to project — who will be the better player for the long term.

2. What position should they target at 16?

Wide receiver was a major need that wasn’t addressed during free agency. The Jets should use the No. 16 pick to add another playmaker to their receiver room, joining Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, and it will be surprising if they don't.

Although Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has been linked to the Jets at 16, they should wait until the mid-rounds to take a quarterback, whether it’s Penn State’s Drew Allar or Miami’s Carson Beck. With three first-round picks next year, the Jets are banking on getting someone who could become their franchise QB in the 2027 draft.

“All signs, at least that I’ve been made aware of, it seems like that young quarterback is more likely to come in ’27 than it is in this draft,” Jeremiah said.

It will be new quarterback Geno Smith’s show this season, and the Jets need to give him another weapon.

Ohio State’s Carnell Tate will be gone, but the Jets could try to package 16 with 44 to move up for Tate. Glenn said, “If you love the player, go get the player.” That could be the case with Tate.

Other receivers the Jets could consider are USC’s Makai Lemon, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson. Washington’s Denzel Boston is a big receiver and could be a name to watch, but 16 might be too high for him.

If the Jets' top targets are gone, they could take a cornerback at 16 and either trade back into the first round or take a receiver at 33 (Boston or Louisville’s Chris Bell).

3. Should they trade any 2027 picks to move up in this draft?

Unless it’s to move up for Mendoza or to land an established star quarterback, the Jets shouldn’t — and won’t — deal any of their 2027 first-round picks. That draft will have far more quarterback talent and depth than this one.

The Jets could have their choice of Texas’ Arch Manning, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Oregon’s Dante Moore, Mississippi's Trinidad Chambliss or South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers in 2027.

“I think they can be aggressive in this draft without even touching their ’27 picks,” Jeremiah said.

That’s the plan. Mougey has been active in trades. He will continue to make and take calls in this draft but should declare his 2027 firsts untouchable.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.