The argument against Arvell Reese in the NFL Draft could cost the Jets a superstar

It looks like Arvell Reese is going to be one of the most interesting and talked about players in the upcoming NFL Draft. There's no question Reese is an advanced talent and there's almost a guarantee that he'll be selected inside the top 10. But where he ends up is a question.

For the early mocks, Reese appeared to be heading to Gotham to try to bring some much-needed talent to the Jets, but the Jets are likely going to try to implement a 3-4 base defense in 2026 and need someone off the edge. Reese certainly has the ability and athletic profile to become a premier edge rusher in the league, but the Jets might feel like he's not there yet and, well, when the Jets start thinking, bad things happen.

One of ESPN's many draft experts, Field Yates, believes that Reese is an exceptional player, but maybe not the right one for the Jets at this time.

"If you're the Jets, you're saying to yourself, 'We do have a sample size of Arvell Reese being a rusher, but it's a smaller sample size than David Bailey," Yates said.

The Jets are making a mistake if they don't take Arvell Reese

It's weird that we're in a spot where an elite talent, like Reese, does so many things well that some NFL teams really don't know exactly where to put him. In most cases that would be a good problem. Reese can rush the passer when given the opportunity. He can play off the ball. He can capably drop into coverage. But college football seems to value the Swiss-Army knife type of player in the front seven more than the NFL. 

Yates continues by saying the Jets are more likely to take Bailey because, while Bailey doesn't have the versatility of Reese, the one he does well is the one thing the Jets need desperately. 

"For Arvell Reese, it may take some time [to be a high-quality edge rusher]. He had zero sacks over the last six games of last season. Yes, he could be one of the better stand-up inside linebackers in the NFL," Yates said. "That's good value as well, but if you're looking for just a guy who has a chance to change the complexion of your pass rush, David Bailey is the safer bet."

There are a few mocks that have Reese still going second, while others have him going fourth to the Titans, a good fit in my opinion, and sixth to the Browns. Regardless of where he goes, the consensus opinion is that Reese will make any defense better wherever he is on the field.