Arvell Reese would've been safer Jets pick than David Bailey originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Jets used the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on David Bailey out of Texas Tech.

They could've taken Ohio State's Arvell Reese, and that decision could turn out to be a mistake.

Bailey comes with more risk for two reasons explained by a draft expert.

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ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. explained on the draft that Bailey hadn't been as good a player at Stanford, and that wasn't it.

Kiper also pointed out that Bailey is just a pass-rusher. If he doesn't make it work at that position in the NFL, that's it.

MORE: The full origin story of ESPN's NFL Draft pick chime

Reese came with a potential fallback option. Kiper shared that Reese could be an off-ball linebacker if he doesn't turn into a dominant edge rusher.

Kiper also compared Reese to Micah Parsons, which is a serious upside name.

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The reason the Jets took Bailey, in part, is that he's the most "ready-made rusher" in the draft, said ESPN's Booger McFarland.

But not picking Reese could age poorly. There's at least a chance of that, and it's worth acknowledging now.

To be fair: ESPN's Louis Riddick said Bailey was the right pick over Reese. This is a split decision.

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