Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, which he announced on his Instagram on Thursday.
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Reese is one of the best defenders in college football and a projected top-five pick in this year’s draft. With the lack of star power in the 2026 quarterback class, Reese could be an option for the Cardinals with the No. 3 pick.
The Buckeyes’ linebacker grew into a star in the 2025 season. Reese played in six games as a freshman but did not record any stats. In his sophomore season, he played in all 16 games in Ohio State’s National Championship season and recorded 43 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a half sack.
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In 2025, Reese displayed his potential as a leader on the Buckeyes’ defense. He finished the season with 69 tackles, 10 for loss and 6.5 sacks, and was named an All-American.
The Cardinals hold the No. 3 pick, and the quarterback position is the main issue that needs addressing this offseason. However, the 2026 class isn’t very deep. Do the Cardinals go with a quarterback anyway? Do they go with an offensive lineman instead to build around their next quarterback? Or, do the Cardinals just pick the best player available?
Most mock drafts have Reese getting drafted from the second to the fifth pick. Yahoo Sports has the Cardinals taking Reese at third overall. ESPN’s Jordan Ried has the Cardinals taking Miami Hurricanes offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa and Reese going fourth overall to the Tennessee Titans.
Meanwhile, CBS’ Mike Renner has Arizona selecting Texas Tech Red Raiders edge rusher David Bailey, and Ryan Wilson has the Cardinals trading back to No. 5 and selecting Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson, who has declared for the draft.
There’s a good chance Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore go No. 1 and No. 2, which would put the Cardinals in an interesting spot. However, neither quarterback has declared for the draft yet.
Arizona could use Reese’s talent, whether he’s used as a traditional off-ball linebacker or as an edge rusher. While rookie inside linebacker Cody Simon, who started nine games due to Mack Wilson Sr.’s injury, finished third on the team in tackles, edge rushers Zaven Collins and Baron Browning finished with just a combined 74 tackles (10 for loss) and 3.5 sacks. Collins and Browning play opposite of edge rusher Josh Sweat, who led the team in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (12).
However, it’d be hard to imagine the Cardinals passing on either Mendoza or Moore if they fall to No. 3. Both quarterbacks will have another chance to further prove themselves in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Friday.
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