NFL Draft 2026: Arvell Reese Might Be Versatile, But He’s No Micah Parsons
Every so often, a player comes along who redefines a position-and then the league scrambles to find the next version of that guy. That’s exactly what happened with Micah Parsons.
The former Penn State standout made the leap from off-ball linebacker to full-blown pass-rushing nightmare with the Dallas Cowboys, and now he’s the highest-paid defensive player in football with the Packers. So naturally, any linebacker with a hint of edge-rushing chops gets slapped with the “next Parsons” label.
Enter Arvell Reese.
The Ohio State hybrid defender is the latest to wear that comparison, and ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, he’s been mocked as high as No. 2 overall to the New York Jets. But let’s pump the brakes. Just because Reese plays a similar role doesn’t mean he’s walking the same path-or producing at the same level.
The Numbers: Solid, Not Spectacular
Reese split his time between linebacker and edge for the Buckeyes last season, logging 286 snaps off the ball and 327 on the edge. His raw production?
Respectable. He posted 69 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 10 tackles for loss.
But when you dig into the advanced metrics, the shine starts to fade.
Reese generated just 27 quarterback pressures all season and posted a pass-rush win rate of 13 percent. That’s decent, especially for a player juggling responsibilities in multiple roles, but it’s not elite-and it doesn’t stack up well against the names he’s being compared to.
Take Abdul Carter, for example. Carter transitioned to a full-time edge role in his final year at Penn State and put up significantly better pass-rush numbers.
Even Jalon Walker, who had a more modest role, showed flashes that popped more consistently on tape. And then there’s Parsons, who didn’t even rush full-time in college but still looked like a heat-seeking missile whenever he did.
The Versatility Question
Reese’s biggest selling point is his versatility. He can line up off the ball, set the edge, drop into coverage, or pin his ears back and go after the quarterback.
That’s not nothing. In fact, it’s something neither Parsons nor Carter are regularly asked to do in the NFL.
But here’s the thing: versatility only gets you so far if you’re not elite in at least one area. And right now, there’s not a clear-cut strength in Reese’s game that screams “top-five pick.” If he’s not winning consistently off the edge-and his pass-rush metrics suggest he isn’t-then whoever drafts him early may be using premium capital on a player who ends up playing more linebacker than edge.
And in today’s NFL, spending a top-10 pick on a linebacker who’s not a game-wrecker is a tough sell.
The Bottom Line
Arvell Reese is a talented, flexible defender with intriguing tools. He’s got the frame, the athleticism, and the experience to contribute at multiple spots on a defense.
But the comparisons to Micah Parsons aren’t just premature-they’re unfair. Parsons didn’t just play multiple roles; he dominated in them.
Reese, so far, hasn’t shown that level of impact.
If Reese turns into a solid starter who can move around the formation and make plays, that’s a win. But if a team is banking on him becoming the next game-changing edge rusher, they might be setting themselves up for disappointment.
The upside is there. The flashes are real. But in a draft where teams are looking for difference-makers off the edge, Reese still has a lot to prove.