In the passing-driven NFL, the teams have downgraded the importance of drafting off-ball linebackers and safeties in the first round of the NFL Draft. It takes a special prospect to go in the first round. Last year, many teams felt that Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell was among the best players in the draft, but he fell to the end of the first round before the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles made a little trade up to get Campbell. That slide illustrated the team’s philosophy on drafting non-pass-rushing linebackers in the first round. One prospect who could follow Campbell as a first-round pick is Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. Multiple team sources say that Reese could be a first-rounder in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Reese is the real deal,” said an AFC director of player personnel. “I think he is going first round.”
Thus far in 2025, Reese has 20 tackles with two sacks and two passes broken up. Team sources feel that Reese is a special player as they like his instincts in combination with being big and athletic. At 6-foot-4. 238 pounds, Reese is a large linebacker with a versatile skill set. In my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, I have Reese going a little higher than where Campbell went last April. The position importance might push him down come the 2026 NFL Draft, but Reese is generating early-round buzz with scouts.
