There has been considerable debate surrounding one of the top prospects in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft: What position should Arvell Reese play at the next level?
Arvell Reese Has the Tools to Become the NFL’s Next Elite Edge Rusher
During his time at Ohio State, Reese demonstrated his versatility, lining up both as a stand-up linebacker and an edge rusher. At each position, he displayed elite traits: length, burst, and disruptive athleticism coveted by NFL teams. With the 2026 NFL combine underway and front offices conducting interviews, the inevitable question surfaced: Where does Reese see himself playing on Sundays?
Thanks to his comments during the NFL Combine, fans received an answer.
“Teams have pretty much been asking me what I want to do and see where my mind was at — I’ve been telling them I think I’m an outside linebacker/edge,” Reese said on Wednesday. “I haven’t even scratched the surface with really what I can do pass-rushing.”
Ohio State EDGE/LB Arvell Reese on what position he wants to play and what teams are asking him to play. pic.twitter.com/OXfVnTimPp
— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) February 25, 2026
That quote may have finally put the debate to rest.
Reese began his Buckeyes career primarily as a traditional linebacker. Over three seasons in Columbus, his role steadily evolved. After recording just 0.5 sacks a season ago, Reese made a significant leap this year, tallying 6.5 sacks while taking on a more prominent role rushing off the edge.
Under new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Ohio State’s defense leaned into Reese’s pass-rushing ability, and the results were undeniable. His length (6’5″, 245 pounds) and fluid athleticism made him a matchup problem for offensive tackles. When deployed off the edge, Reese showed he could bend, explode, and finish at a high level.
Why Edge Rusher Makes Sense For The Former Buckeye
In today’s NFL, premium positions drive roster-building philosophy. Franchises consistently prioritize three questions: Can you throw the football (quarterback)? Can you protect the quarterback (left tackle)? And can you disrupt the quarterback (edge rusher)?
That final category carries enormous value in a pass-heavy league where game-changing defenders can shift momentum in a single play. Reese fits squarely into that third tier, the type of edge presence teams covet to pressure quarterbacks, collapse pockets, and alter offensive game plans.
At 6’5”, 245 pounds, with room to add functional strength, his physical profile mirrors the modern hybrid edge defender. His ability to rush standing up or with his hand in the dirt provides defensive coordinators with valuable flexibility. His style has drawn comparisons to Micah Parsons: explosive, versatile, and capable of dismantling protection schemes.
Reese’s breakout campaign helped power Ohio State to one of the nation’s elite defensive seasons. His 95.1 PFSN CFB Defensive Impact Score ranked fourth nationally, solidifying him as one of college football’s most impactful defenders.
That dominance has translated directly into draft momentum. Reese currently sits as the No. 2 overall prospect and the No. 1 edge rusher on PFSN’s 2026 consensus big board. NFL evaluators clearly view his trajectory as ascending, particularly if he fully commits to the edge role.
Following the NFL Money and the Impact
There’s also a business side to the decision to take the position.
Top-tier edge rushers in today’s NFL command contracts in the $30–45 million per year range. By contrast, even the highest-paid off-ball linebackers typically earn $12–20 million annually. The disparity is significant.
Reese’s statement at the combine was deliberate, confident, and revealing. He sees himself as an outside linebacker/edge, and based on his physical tools, production leap, and the way the modern NFL values the position, that is precisely where he belongs.
The debate may be over.
Now it is about development, refinement, and proving he can dominate full-time off the edge at the next level.
