National reactions: Jets earn strong reviews for David Bailey at No. 2 at 2026 NFL Draft

[ASFN Admin]

The New York Jets kicked off their 2026 NFL Draft with a bang by taking Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey off the board with the No. 2 overall pick.

The Jets were reportedly deciding between Bailey and Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese in the end. By going with the Bailey, the Jets took the player that rumor suggested the team was more interested in.

With the way that first decision fell for the Jets, reaction across the football world was certainly more on the positive side of the ledger.

Here is a national media reaction roundup to the Jets pick of Bailey at No. 2 overall:

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

David Bailey > Arvell Reese? pic.twitter.com/y1BWtAkYZH

— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) April 23, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

David Bailey is heading to the Jets and @BarstoolGruden loves the pick@reesespic.twitter.com/yZoEiyycu6

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

The Jets select David Bailey second overall pic.twitter.com/QJ3Ty0zK0F

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

Give me David Bailey over Arvell Reese. PROVEN pass rusher. Only target worth trading up for, for the Cowboys - and now he's a Jet.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

Welcome to the Jets, David Bailey!

@snyjets) pic.twitter.com/l3G1rUgy9J

— SleeperJets (@SleeperJets) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

"If David Bailey gets his hands on you, IT'S OVER!! I LOVE THIS PICK FOR THE JETS"

– @EmmanuelAcho responds to David Bailey going 2nd overall to the New York Jets

WE ARE LIVE RIGHT NOW https://t.co/VgPAc0vVARpic.twitter.com/wQLd9W1JVw

— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

It’ll be fun to track for years to come to track the better player between David Bailey (Jets No.2 pick) and Arvell Reese (Giants No.5 pick) as the 2 play in the same stadium.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

David Bailey had 14.5 sacks with Texas Tech last season pic.twitter.com/n8wJsWv0I0

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

Jets select David Bailey with second overall pick. https://t.co/ZsK0erTi9e

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

2ND OVERALL PICK IS IN: Jets are selecting Texas Tech LB David Bailey

Big 12 D-Lineman of the year is heading to the Big Apple pic.twitter.com/JpcD2Ft1Dt

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

The #Jets have made, rather than traded, the pick. They take Texas Tech DE David Bailey at No. 2.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

The Jets select Texas Tech edge David Bailey at No. 2 overall -- the pick widely expected within the league comes to fruition.

And now, things get interesting ...

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

.@FourVerts and @Nate_Tice second-guess the Jets' decision to draft David Bailey over Arvell Reese

(via Yahoo Sports Draft Live) pic.twitter.com/1pimkc8nCn

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

#Jets chose Bailey over Reese.

They then chose Sadiq over Lemon and Boston.

Think fans will have a right to question the process tonight. However, there’s clearly a plan that this team has.

Time will tell if the plan is right.

— Nick “Mike Farrell” Faria (@Nick_Faria1720) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

Kenyon Sadiq was my 10th ranked player and David Bailey was my 2nd ranked player in this draft.

Ultimately the Jets need to draft a QB next year, but those are 2 picks I really like by Darren Mougey.

— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) April 24, 2026

Reaction: Jets select David Bailey No. 2 overall​

#Jets pick David Bailey 2nd overall. WOW

Arvell Reese closed -270 to be selected 2nd. Betting market got it wrong

NFL insiders got it right and never wavered @FieldYates@MelKiperESPN@MoveTheSticks@AlbertBreer@PSchragspic.twitter.com/PLM0ADJ96c

— Josh Appelbaum (@Josh_Insights) April 24, 2026

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Reactions: Jets praised for David Bailey at No. 2 in 2026 NFL Draft

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