There has been a lot of talk about Ohio State pass rusher Arvell Reese leading into the 2026 NFL Draft. Questions about which exact position he may play and where he may wind up have arisen during the pre-draft process, and a recent NFL trade may give Reese some clarity.
Arvell Reese Could Move Up Draft Boards After Jermaine Johnson Trade
Plenty of teams would love to get their hands on a player like Reese. The Raiders are expected to select Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the top pick, and then the real fun should begin at No. 2 when the New York Jets go on the clock.
According to Dave Helman of The Athletic, the door is open for the Jets to select Reese.
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“I’m starting to wonder if Arvell Reese, the Ohio State edge, linebacker, all-around freak, is about to be a New York Jet, playing for Aaron Glenn,” says Helman.
The Jets may have been leaning toward selecting Reese or another pass rusher with the second pick anyway, especially with Mendoza projected to go first overall to the Raiders, but after trading away edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II to the Titans on Thursday, selecting a pass rusher now seems like a foregone conclusion.
Trades are happening! 🤝
Door open for Arvell Reese to Jets? 👀@davehelman_ has the latest from Indianapolis in his Day 3 NFL Combine notebook. pic.twitter.com/md5hWMkEhi— The Athletic Football Show (@TA_FootballShow) February 26, 2026
In fact, PFSN’s Alec Elijah projects the Jets to select Reese with the second-overall pick.
“Widely viewed as one of the premier linebackers and EDGE defenders in the 2026 draft, Arvell Reese could be a strong move for the Jets with the No. 2 overall pick,” Elijah wrote.
He wrote, “Reese consistently brings intensity off the edge, pairing his 6-foot-4 build with explosive first-step quickness and impressive strength at the point of attack. He shows the ability to pressure quarterbacks, set the edge against the run, and chase plays down across the field.”
Elijah argues that Reese’s instincts are just as impressive as his athleticism.
“Beyond the raw athletic tools, Reese displays strong instincts and awareness, combined with a nonstop motor and physical style of play,” Elijah explains. “That combination of size, speed, and football intelligence gives him the versatility modern defenses crave and positions him as a potential cornerstone defender at the next level.”
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Obviously, the Jets need help almost everywhere they can get it, but adding a pass rusher with Reese’ potential could go a long way toward getting the Jets out of the basement.
Reese, a Cleveland native, had 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks for the Buckeyes last season. Other edge players, like Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. or Texas Tech’s David Bailey, could also be in the mix if the Jets are set on upgrading their pass rush.
The NFL Draft begins with the first round on Thursday, April 23.
