Jets have just 5% chance to draft one of three Ohio State standouts No. 2 overall originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The New York Jets own the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and there are plenty of different options the Jets could choose with this pick.
Fernando Mendoza is the only player expected to be off the board, leaving every other prospect at their disposal. Two players have taken center-stage, in edge rushers Arvell Reese and David Bailey. But, what about other players?
According to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, there is just a 5% chance that the Jets take on of three Ohio State standouts at No. 2 overall that isn’t Reese. The odds are very slim, but also not zero.
Jets have 5% chance to draft non Arvell Reese Ohio State player at No. 2
“5 percent (total): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State; Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State; Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State,” Rosenblatt writes.
While the overall NFL Draft class for 2026 isn’t that great, the Ohio State presence, especially in round one, should be strong.
All three of these players are in play, even if only a little bit, with the No. 2 pick. The Jets taking an off-ball linebacker in Sonny Styles would be a surprise, but he’s an incredible athlete, and could be a Fred Warner level defender. That’s worth the No. 2 pick.
But, at a non-premium position like off-ball linebacker, the Jets don’t look very likely to take Styles. The same goes for Caleb Downs, who, despite being an incredible defender and one of the best prospects in the class, plays a less-valuable position of safety.
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The Jets are taking a safety or an off-ball linebacker with the No. 2 overall pick would be a surprise. What about wide receiver, a position that’s a lot more valuable than safety or linebacker?
Well, Carnell Tate is also part of this 5% group, and the Jets are much more likely to try and trade up or down in the draft for Tate than they are to simply take him second overall.
In a deep wide receiver class, taking Tate with the second pick with two premier players in Reese and Bailey on the board would be a mistake.
As Rosenblatt’s percentages indicate, the Jets are most likely to go with one of Reese or Bailey No. 2 overall, with Styles, Downs, and Tate all being far less likely, but still possible, options with this pick.
More Jets news:
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- Jets ideal pick at No. 2 overall is Arvell Reese out of Ohio State
- Aaron Glenn believes Geno Smith can lead Jets to ‘the promised land’
- Aaron Glenn announced Geno Smith as Jets starting QB for 2026
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