Arvell Reese 2026 NFL mock draft: latest prediction for Ohio State Linebacker

TL;DR

Arvell Reese, an Ohio State linebacker, is projected to be selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 NFL Draft. Scouts are finalizing their evaluations as the draft approaches.

Key points

Arvell Reese is a linebacker from Ohio State
2026 NFL Draft is approaching
Reese is projected to be picked third overall
Arizona Cardinals are expected to select him

Mentioned in this story

Ohio State

Arvell ReeseArizona Cardinals

The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching fast and league scouts are solidifying their big boards. Linebacker Arvell Reese could be among the players who hear their name called early in Pittsburgh this week when the NFL welcomes its newest class of rookies.

USA TODAY Sports has all the latest on where the prospect out of Ohio State may land.

Here's how USA TODAY's latest mock draft currently projects draft day will play out for the former college star.

Arvell Reese 2026 NFL Draft prediction: Pick No. 3 overall, Arizona Cardinals

Nate Davis' Fit Analysis:

The Cards would probably love to deal out of this spot. The question is, who'd come up this high given Mendoza is the only perceived franchise quarterback available this year? Even a swap with the Giants, who select fifth overall, feels rich given their numerous needs and lack of draft ammo beyond the second round. So in what feels like a probable stick-and-pick scenario, the Cards should probably take arguably the player with the most upside in this draft in Reese. He split time playing off the ball and rushing the passer for the Buckeyes, hence the inevitable Micah Parsons comparisons. 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, who surrendered the fourth-most points in the league in 2025, are looking way up at their competition right now.

Ayrton Ostly's Big Board Rank: No. 1

Reese is the top linebacker prospect of the past five years. He combines ideal size (6-foot-4, 243 pounds) with outlier athleticism. But it's his football IQ that's set him apart this season. The game's slowing down for him and he can take on varied roles in a defense as a pass rusher, quarterback spy, run defender or coverage linebacker. Teams may want to deploy him more off the edge but even if they dont, hes a force multiplier across the second level.