The Baltimore Ravens have built a franchise and two sets of Super Bowl champions, using a defense-first philosophy. It has produced Hall of Fame players like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, along with making the Ravens one of the last teams that an opposing offense wants to see on their schedule.
In following that same philosophy, the AllSportsPeople 2026 mock draft sees them staying the course and taking a defender in the first round, Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese. The Buckeye is a playmaker at 6'4", 243 pounds, and was a part of the school's 2024 National Championship team.
And while he doesn't have a lot of individual amateur accolades, his athleticism has him easily being a first-round selection.
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"Reese has shot up boards because of showing awesome versatility in the Buckeyes' defense under Matt Patricia, an instinctive, rangy cover ace who is also showing some major impact vs. The run," the TSN mock draft noted.
Reese has 28 solo tackles and 6.5 sacks thus far in the collegiate season. He is considered by several observers to be Ohio State's best defender, with some experts calling him one of the best defensive prospects available.
"I can't get over how great Arvell Reese has been this year," Matt Miller of NFL Draft Scout posted on X. "He's playing like a top 10 pick and has quickly overshadowed teammate Sonny Styles and Texas' Anthony Hill Jr. As the top 'backer in the nation."