ArvellReese

Reese is one of the most exciting players in this draft, a souped-up and multitalented defender who splits his time between off-ball linebacker and edge rusher. He has explosive burst and good playmaking instincts, and at just 20 years old on draft night, he brings incredible upside at the next level. When playing off the ball, Reese is an aggressive and physical tackler, showing good hustle to support the run and chase down plays from the backside. He’s got great range and displays incredible closing speed when tracking down the opposition in space, and he chops his feet to avoid overrunning the ballcarrier. He gets under the pads of blockers and stacks them onto their heels, shedding blocks to avoid being controlled at the point of attack. He has good vision and awareness to fit through gaps and find the ball, and he boasts a wide tackle radius, using his long arms to wrap up and corral the ballcarrier. When playing on the edge, he is comfortable rushing from a two-point stance, showing an explosive first step to threaten offenses vertically. He’s a flexible athlete who can bend and get low to duck under and beat blocks. He sets the edge in the run game. He’s a fluid mover who is comfortable dropping back into zones, and he’s excellent on delayed blitzes, where his acceleration and closing speed show up.

Reese may need to add some bulk to his frame at the next level, especially if he ends up playing primarily at edge rusher. He lacks sand in his pants and will need to get stronger to take blocks head-on. He can get sealed out of a play by bigger, stronger linemen. He still needs to develop a wider repertoire of pass rush moves; he is relatively inexperienced on the edge and relies more on his speed and burst than real technical prowess. When playing off the ball, he flashes coverage chops, but there are times when he loses a step or finds himself out of position when defending the pass. He has incredible potential at two positions but could also be looked at as a tweener; he would benefit from landing with a coaching staff that has a clear plan for his role.