Three Best NFL Draft Landing Spots for Ohio State's Arvell Reese

Perhaps the most versatile player in the NFL draft, Ohio State’s Arvell Reese will be in a new home within the first few picks.

Reese spent the majority of his college career as an off-ball linebacker who recorded over 100 tackles in two years, but transitioned into a pass rusher with seven sacks. It’s unclear which role he’ll play in the NFL, but whatever team lands him will have a fun problem to solve with his usage.

Here are the three best case scenario teams for Reese to land in the NFL.

New York Jets

The best case scenario for Reese would be the Jets selecting him with the second overall pick, as the Las Vegas Raiders seem to be a sure-fire lock for Fernando Mendoza.

The most obvious reason would be the money. The higher Reese is drafted, the more money he gets right away. That’ll obviously be on Reese’s mind first.

The next is the fit Reese would have with the Jets. The Jets are desperate for some help on defense, and Reese would likely have the freedom to play both off-ball and as an edge for the Jets.

Reese would be working closely with Demario Davis, one of the best off-ball backers in the NFL over the past decade. There would be no better mentor for that position, allowing Reese to develop fast.

The Jets have no guarantees as pass rushers. If Reese would rather prioritize the edge, he’ll have the freedom to do that. The Jets give Reese true freedom while still being able to have a mentor, making it the perfect landing spot.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have a similar situation as the Jets with the third overall pick, just without having a mentor like Davis in the room.

The Cardinals have a lot of bodies in the linebacker room with minimal high-caliber talent. They also have virtually no true pass rushers on the team. The biggest names Reese would compete with are Zaven Collins, Mack Wilson and Jonah Williams. He would be joining a former teammate in Cody Simon.

Reese could help fill both roles at a high level if the Cardinals bring him in. He’d likely be more focused as a pass rusher there, but would certainly have the leverage to play off-ball if that’s what he wants.

Arizona took a chance on a hybrid player a few years ago in Isaiah Simmons. It didn’t work great, but this gives them a chance to redeem themselves, with a talent that may be a little easier to manage.

Washington Commanders

If Reese fell all the way to the seventh pick, he would make a whole lot of sense in Washington. The Commanders have been able to get production out of aging veterans like Bobby Wagner for the past few years, but should be ready to start getting younger.

Wagner is still a free agent with a door open to return to the Commanders, but the linebacker room still features guys like 15-year veteran Nick Bellore.

Washington brings in a new defensive coordinator in Daronte Jones this year, and Jones would be hungry to get a talent like Reese on his team.

Expect Reese to focus on his off-ball skills if he lands in Washington, though he’ll still be a consistent blitzer in passing situations too.