Arvell

Reese

Reese’s deal is worth about $47.831 million and includes a $31.2 million signing bonus. North Jersey’s Art Stapleton reports that Reese’s awareness and explosiveness have stood out at organized team activities, noting that Reese “always seems to be in the right position whether that’s in coverage or in the run game.” He reportedly showed off his burst on a blitz as well. The Giants’ do-it-all defender is evidently doing it all this spring.

Schefter broke the news moments after the Giants drafted Ohio State LB Arvell Reese with the 2026 NFL Draft’s No. 5 overall pick. Reports from earlier this offseason indicated Thibodeaux was available via trade, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that a trade was “considered less likely” after the team traded away DT Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals. A shoulder injury sidelined Thibodeaux from Week 11 and on last year. He totaled 32 quarterback pressures and three sacks before that.

Reese (6’4/241) is perhaps the most toolsy hybrid defender in the 2026 class, pairing rare height/weight/speed traits with true alignment versatility after logging snaps both on the edge and off-ball for the Buckeyes. Reese delivered a well-rounded 2025 campaign with a 75.8 overall grade, elite 86.5 run-defense mark and 85.6 tackling grade while generating 27 pressures, eight sacks and 34 defensive stops across 651 snaps. His production profile underscores a high-floor run defender who rarely whiffs (just a 6.0 percent missed tackle rate in 2025) and consistently leverages his length and violent hands to stack, shed and control the edge. As a pass rusher, his game is still rooted in athleticism and closing burst rather than sequencing, but his ability to bend short corners and generate pressure from multiple alignments. Reese projects as a multi-faceted chess piece with three-down potential whose elite physical tools, tackling efficiency and run-defense reflects an upper-tier starter profile as his pass-rush plan continues to mature.

There is “an internal debate” in the Jets’ organization between drafting Reese or Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey. Bailey, 22, is generally regarded as the draft’s top pass rusher and is knocked for his run defense. Reese is a complete player and is currently just 20 years old. Hughes notes that current Jets EDGE Will McDonald is a great pass rusher, but can be a liability in run defense. McDonald and Bailey would form a potent pass rush duo, but could be a suboptimal tandem against the run.

If the Jets select Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey with pick No. 2, the Cardinals and Titans will both be considering Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love with their subsequent picks, according to Rapoport. Other teams picking inside the top ten will have interest in dealing for one of those picks and taking Reese. Rapoport mentioned the Saints and Chiefs as teams looking for an edge rusher that would be motivated to move into picks No. 3 or 4 should Reese fall past No. 2. The early pass-rushing selections are going to be “one of the biggest pressure points” of the draft in Round 1.

Rapoport reports the Jets are between the two pass rushers for the second pick of this year’s draft. The Jets recently cancelled a top-30 visit with Bailey, presumably due to having enough information on the Texas Tech EDGE and needing the visit for another prospect. Ohio State’s Arvell Reese is also in heavy consideration. Much of the draft after pick No. 2 will be determined by which pass rusher the Jets select; pick No. 3 is currently with the Cardinals but could be moved depending on the selection at No. 2.

In a video report from earlier today, Venerable outlined a potential trade in which the Saints acquire the No. 3 overall pick from the Cardinals in exchange for the Nos. 8, 42 and 73 overall picks. He notes “no 2027 draft capital is exchanged with New Orleans,” and told viewers, “I think that’s the preference for these teams — in fact, I know it.” Per Venerable, the Cardinals “are looking to do their damage” in the draft this year, rather than next year. It sounds like Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort needs to leave the draft with meaningful personnel upgrades. Venerable notes that the Cardinals recently hosted Miami OT Francis Mauigoa (back) for a top-30 visit. He would be in play for them in this scenario. Yesterday, Venerable reported that the Cardinals have discussed a potential trade back with the Chiefs as well. He believes both the Saints and Chiefs are targeting either Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey or Ohio State LB Arvell Reese.

Jeremiah also thinks Ohio State S Caleb Downs’ odds of being drafted in the top 10 are greater than 50.0 percent. He adds that Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald will be drafted between picks 25 and 35. Jeremiah’s colleague, Ian Rapoport, said last week that he believes Tate will be drafted in the top 15. Sounds like his stock is ticking upward.

Schultz adds that if the Cardinals were to keep the pick, their preferred player remains “the biggest mystery” among teams slated to pick in the top five. They have been linked to Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love and recently hosted Alabama QB Ty Simpson for a top-30 visit. Pass rushers like Ohio State LB Arvell Reese and Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey are also in play. If Simpson is the target, trading back a bit while ideally adding a future first-round pick could be their plan.

Bailey was scheduled for a last-minute visit with the Jets, but they surprisingly called off the meeting at the last second. It still wasn’t clear what that meant for their pick at the time. Nothing has changed, though Schefter’s comments read positively for Bailey. Our lean is that the pick is Bailey, in line with the rumblings from the national insiders, but we’re not calling the race yet. Ohio State EDGE Arvell Reese is still firmly in the mix.