Arvell Reese — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

The Cardinals' biggest need is quarterback, but this isn't the right draft to address that need at this spot. So Arizona goes with Reese, who combines edge-rushing talent with an ability to play inside linebacker — also needs for the Cards.

After Arizona released Kyler Murray, its offseason has signaled that drafting a quarterback is a logical outcome. But the Cardinals are not going to reach for one here. Like the Jets, the Cardinals can add to their recent front-seven investments, which include edge rusher Josh Sweat from last free agency.

Reese is a unique defensive player in this class, playing a hybrid position at Ohio State as an off-ball linebacker and pass rusher. He has massive length at 6-foot-4, explosive athletic traits and major upside if the Cardinals keep him at edge rusher. Reese said at the combine that he hasn't "scratched the surface" as a pass rusher. He generated 19 pressures on a mere 97 pass-rush reps in 2025.

I think they will consider David Bailey here as well, but in the end Reese plays the run better and will give them more position versatility.

The Jets' goal in free agency was to raise their floor by bringing in capable, veteran players — and they accomplished that. They filled a lot of needs, and their roster is undoubtedly better. The goal for the NFL Draft, especially for the first round, should be to raise their ceiling — to find prospects with star potential. Reese feels like a no-brainer. He's arguably the highest-ceiling prospect of any in this entire class. Maybe it's partially a projection because he didn't have many sacks in college — but if there's a chance Reese becomes the next Micah Parsons, the Jets obviously will take that. They need blue-chip players on defense in the worst way. — Zack Rosenblatt

The Jets were active in bringing in vet after vet to shore up their defense. They now drop in an explosive weapon in Reese to continue to reinvent this side of the ball. Reese's best spot will likely be on the line of scrimmage, where he flashes as a high-end pass rusher and already shows the ability to hold the edge in the run game. His versatility to play off-ball is a bonus if the Jets want to get creative in getting all of their pass rushers on the field.

They've added a lot of players, though primarily on offense. But with a major question at quarterback following Kyler Murray's departure, Arizona is the proverbial team that could be at least a year away from being a year away — and maybe even two years away from being a year away. Yet if there was a quarterback worthy of the No. 3 overall pick ... then the Jets would have taken him at No. 2. And that means Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort, who traded out of the opportunity to take future All-Pro DE Will Anderson Jr. in 2023, probably needs to be in the business of accumulating blue-chip players — and Reese projects as one. The Micah Parsons comparisons are obviously premature, but Reese, who turns 21 in August, has plenty of time to develop into a full-time pass rusher and maybe justify the comp one day. And getting to the quarterback is especially important in the NFC West, where the Cards are looking way up at their competition right now.

I go back and forth between Reese and Texas Tech's David Bailey here. Reese, with experience playing on the line and off the ball, gives the Jets more scheme flexibility in their 3-4 defense.

The Cardinals weren't much better than the Jets in the sack department, tying for 28th with 30. Josh Sweat needs a running mate, and Reese has the instincts and burst to get home on the QB. Of course, Reese also played off-ball linebacker at Ohio State, and though he said during the combine that he would be an NFL edge rusher, that sort of versatility is a big plus. He had 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss last season.

This is where the draft starts. Reese has reminded me of star edge rusher Micah Parsons since the fall. He's a sensational player, and I know he's just scratching the surface. This is a guy who played as a starter for just one season and was just learning how to play the edge. He's an excellent pass rusher, whether he's rushing from the interior or edge. He's got bend, athleticism and explosiveness. He's got tremendous upside, and I believe he could be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate early in his career.