At No. 2, Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese is pegged as the best available player, with analysts noting his blend of run-stopping strength and potential as a pass-rusher. The comparison to Micah Parsons highlights the ceiling, while his immediate value is seen in strengthening a run defense that allowed 139.5 rushing yards per game last season (28th in the NFL).
PFF’s assessment of Reese as one of the top run-stoppers in college football reinforces the fit, as he stonewalled rushers 18 times and missed only two tackles. For a Jets defense that struggled to defend the run, Reese could provide a quick, impactful upgrade off the edge and at the point of attack.
With the No. 16 pick, The Athletic projects Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson to be selected thanks to a Sauce Gardner trade scenario. Simpson is described as possessing high-level processor skills, arm talent, and legitimate athleticism, though his experience is limited for a potential first-round signal-caller.
The takeaway for New York is clear: adding a young, talented quarterback could help stabilize the offense while Reese anchors the defense, aligning with head coach Aaron Glenn and quarterback coach Darren Mougey as they attempt to salvage optimism for 2027 amid an offseason marked by coordinator and staff turnover.
The mock draft’s framing centers on injecting franchise-altering talent at two critical spots, with the Gardner trade enabling the No. 16 pick and illustrating a path to meaningful improvement in lieu of immediate starter-level certainty. These projections come from The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman and reflect one scenario among multiple possibilities.
This summary reflects Heavy Sports’ reporting on The Athletic mock draft, presenting a concise view of how Reese and Simpson could reshape the Jets’ plans if such selections come to pass.
