A top edge rusher prospect faces an unexpected draft-day drop. Will a surprising team swoop in for the versatile Ohio State star?
The first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is pretty much known at this point.
The Las Vegas Raiders will wait for some clock to tick before making the call, keeping the NFL happy. Then Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will see his name be called at a watch party with his friends and family.
The New York Jets have some intrigue with the No. 2 pick. Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey and Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese are the in the running for that spot.
In his most recent mock draft, ESPN's Peter Schrager thinks the Jets will go with Bailey at No. 2. He predicted Reese will slide a little to the New York Giants at No. 5.
"I haven't seen many mock drafts having Reese slip this far, and maybe he won't," Schrager wrote. "But I also remember Leonard Williams inexplicably falling out of the top five in 2015. These things happen.
"Edge rusher is not one of the Giants' holes, but the roster needs good football players. Choosing to add the blue-chip prospect makes sense -- especially if New York ends up trading Kayvon Thibodeaux. If the Giants can get Reese, I think they'd take him."
At No. 5, Reese would be a selection based off best player available on the board. After losing Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals via trade last week, the Giants need more help on the interior part of the defensive line than the outside.
One thing Reese provides is versatility. He can play linebacker or edge.
"I think I played both positions pretty decent," Reese said, via Kassidy Hill of the Panther. I think I know I got a lot to get better at, at edge, and I got a lot to get better at linebacker, but I'm pretty decent at both positions, I think.
"I think I could get way better at pass rushing. I think I can get way better in coverage. I think I could get way better with my pad level sometimes; sometimes I'm too high. There is just so much room for improvement for me. I just can't wait to get better."
No one would blame the Giants for taking Reese at No. 5. But it's unclear if that pick would help the team the most in Week 1.