Why Arvell Reese’s versatility is creating a debate over his true NFL position

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Arvell Reese is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, not because teams doubt his talent, but because they cannot agree on where to play him.

That kind of debate is usually a red flag for evaluators. In Reese’s case, it is doing the opposite, forcing teams to consider just how many ways he can impact a defense.

The result is a prospect who is climbing boards while still being defined, with his versatility becoming both his biggest strength and his biggest question.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Arvell Reese’s position debate is real

The uncertainty is central to his evaluation, as NFL Draft Buzz highlights when breaking down his role across Ohio State’s defense.

“Reese is a heat-seeking missile against the run with the kind of closing speed that makes offensive coordinators cringe when they see him flying toward their running back,” the report stated.

It added, “The question for NFL teams is simple: where does he fit? He played roughly half his snaps as an edge rusher in 2025 and the other half in the box. Both produced decent numbers.”

That split usage is what makes Reese difficult to project. He has already shown he can function as both an edge defender and an off-ball linebacker, but he has not fully settled into either role.

For some teams, that raises concerns about refinement. For others, it opens the door to a more flexible deployment that fits modern defensive schemes built on hybrid roles.