While the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft appears to be a lock, the No. 2 selection is definitely more of a question mark.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been the odds-on favorite to go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders for months now ever since he won the Heisman Trophy and lifted IU it's first-ever national championship.
And now with the Combine in the rearview mirror, another Big Ten star appears to be in line to be the No. 2 pick.
© Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Betting favorite revealed for No. 2 pick in NFL Draft
According to the latest odds, Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese is slated to go to the New York Jets at (-140). With the next-best odds all being defensive players for Aaron Glenn and Co.
Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey (+160), Miami defensive end Rueben Bain (+800), Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (+1400) and Buckeyes LB Sonny Styles at (+1500) also appear to potentially be in play for Gang Green, but Reese remains the favorite.
Bama quarterback Ty Simpson is also an interesting name to watch at (+4000) — especially considering how badly the Jets need a quarterback and the promise he showed both early in the season and at this weekend's Combine. However, it remains to be seen what the Jets' appetite for that would be just yet.
Ty Simpson names team he would 'love' to play for
Another storyline to watch out for heading into the draft is Ty Simpson's relationship with new Browns head coach Todd Monken. The two have known each other for years and Simpson admitted that he'd love to play for one of his dad's former colleagues.
“My dad and coach Monken go way back,” Simpson told Cleveland.com. “They talk often. He texted him when he got the job and they’ve texted a little bit [since], so if I had the opportunity to play for the Browns, it would be a dream come true.”
“I think I’d be in great hands with the team that they have and the organization, and then coach Monken, what he does with the quarterbacks and the offense is super quarterback-friendly and I think he’s going to coach me hard if I’m able to go there and I know he’s going to do it the right way,” the Crimson Tide QB added. “So I’m super-excited.”
New York definitely has some decisions to make over the next handful of weeks — as do the other teams in the top-five. The Jets currently have $90 million in cap space to spend as well if they choose to address some of their many needs in free agency.