With Fernando Mendoza looking like a lock to be selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, the No. 2 pick is where things get interesting.
Currently, the New York Jets hold the rights to the No. 2 overall pick. Due to the lack of multiple top quarterback prospects, there haven't be many rumors about teams trading up for New York's pick, so it seems like it'll be the Jets picking the best player available at No. 2.
New York has major holes all over their football team, so any position is on the table to be picked.
Following the NFL Combine, let's take a look at the favorites to be selected No. 2 overall.
NFL Draft 2026 - No. 2 Overall Pick Odds
*Last updated: April 15.
David Bailey (Texas Tech) | -160 |
Arvell Reese (Ohio State) | +110 |
Sonny Styles (Ohio State) | +2500 |
Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami FL) | +2800 |
Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) | +7500 |
Ty Simpson (Alabama) | +7500 |
Caleb Downs (Ohio State) | +8000 |
Carnell Tate (Ohio State) | +10000 |
Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) | +10000 |
*Last updated: Apr. 15
In an interesting turn of events, just a week ahead of the Draft, Texas Tech's David Bailey has taken over as the favorite to be selected No. 2 overall by the New York Jets. When we updated the odds not too long ago, Arvell Reese was a -180 favorite. Now, Bailey is -160 while Reese is +110.
David Bailey
Bailey (-160) had the most productive season of any defender last year and is favored to go No. 2 overall. He led the country in pressures (81) and sacks (14.5), and led the Big 12 in tackles for loss (19.5) in his lone season with the Red Raiders after spending his first three years at Stanford.
He'll need to get stronger and improve in the run game, but he's a prototypical modern-day EDGE rusher listed at 6'3, 247 lbs.
His elite get-off, motor, and pass rush arsenal stand out, and he should make an impact Day 1 in the NFL.
Arvell Reese
Ohio State's athletically-gifted linebacker Arvell Reese is the second-favorite to go No. 2 overall (+110). Reese has stated that he'll enter the draft as a OLB/EDGE, which is where he's at his best.
Nicknamed by analysts an the "Alien," Reese's most popular comparison is Micah Parsons as they both played a blend of EDGE and off-the-ball linebacker in college, and both are freak athletes.
Reese is an extremely versatile pass rusher who will be able to line up against the tackle, guard, or center and have success.
He had several reps where he shoved o-linemen down with his strong-arm technique, showed off his blazing closing speed when he was used as a spy, and he has plenty of pass rush moves off the edge.
In his limited pass-rushing role, the Buckeye finished the season with 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. He would a home run pick and a player to build around for Aaron Glenn and the Jets.
Rueben Bain Jr.
Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. (+2800) was the main catalyst in leading the Hurricanes to their first National Championship appearance since 2002.
Bain played his best ball in the most crucial moments, torching Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Indiana with five sacks in those games three games combined.
The first aspect of Bain's body that stands out is his thick lower-body which he uses to anchor himself in the run game or physically overwhelm tackles when rushing the passer.
His motor is off the charts and he has a quick get-off to stun tackles before driving them back with his legs. His bend is also good around the edge, but his shorter arms and unique build could scare some teams away.
A recent off-the-field report about Bain Jr. causing a car accident that led to the death of a passenger has sparked discussion about if he should be taken high in the draft, but teams certainly knew about the report before the public did anyways. If everything else checks out regarding Bain Jr.'s character, the report shouldn't cause him to fall too much.
Rest of the Field
Those three players seem to have separated themselves from the pack, but there's still time for some longshots to get themselves into the conversation.
Ohio State's linebacker Sonny Syles (+2500) has shot up the draft boards after an outstanding combine.
Styles, 6' 5", 244 pounds, ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, and recorded the best ever vertical jump at the NFL combine - leaping 43.5-inches high.
Styles would enter the NFL as one of the most athletic players in the league his rookie year, and physical traits like his can easily catch the attention of NFL scouts.
Some analysts think Alabama QB Ty Simpson (+7500) actually has a more talented arm than Fernando Mendoza, but the steam about him being picked so high in the draft has fallen off a little.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (+8000) has all the tools to be a superstar in the NFL - including possessing an extremely high football I.Q.
Safeties usually don't get drafted this high, but players like Kyle Hamilton, Nick Emmanwori, Derwin James Jr., and more are making the box safety popular again.
Another Buckeye, Carnell Tate, and Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson are two of the top receivers in the draft, and Tate is listed at +10000 to be selected second overall.
Tate is part of the storied Brian Hartline-led Ohio State receiver group and is a do-it-all receiver who has no real weakness in his game.
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All odds written in this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change.
