The New York Jets are expected to select the best defensive player with the No. 2 overall selection in the 2026 NFL draft. General manager Darren Mougey and his scouting staff are currently sorting through who their preferred target is. Options include pass rushers Arvell Reese, David Bailey, and Rueben Bain Jr., with safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles as less likely, but potential options.
Once that choice is made, Mougey’s attention will then shift to the 16th selection. A number of positions could be targeted there. A wide receiver or offensive lineman may be the current favorite, with Penn State guard Vega Loane among the potential shortlisted options.
A defensive tackle isn’t a popular mock-draft selection there after the Jets acquired T’Vondre Sweat via trade. The Jets have decent depth at the position, with Jowon Briggs, David Onyemata, and Harrison Phillips also on the roster. None of them are quite talented enough to completely take a defensive tackle off the table at 16th overall, however.
The Jets still downgraded at the position when they traded Quinnen Williams midway through the 2025 season. Another option at No. 16 could be Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. McDonald has established himself as a potential first-round pick.
McDonald resets the line of scrimmage via raw power. The overwhelming strength he plays with is a trait that Aaron Glenn appreciates as a head coach. McDonald consistently wins the leverage battle with power and burst.
McDonald would form quite the early-down duo with Sweat and/or Phillips, with Briggs and Onyemata being pass-rushing options.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Ohio State DT should be Jets option at No. 16 overall