NFL DC picks a side on Arvell Reese position debate before NFL Draft

The week of the NFL Draft is here, and the debates around some of the top prospects in the class are heating up. One of the most heated debates this draft season has been at the edge rusher position, where there are three players expected to get consideration in the top 10.

David Bailey of Texas Tech is a pure pass rusher, while Rueben Bain Jr. is a more well-rounded prospect despite being a physical anomaly due to his short wingspan. However, both are ranked behind Ohio State star Arvell Reese in most places despite Reese spending a lot of his college career as an off-ball linebacker.

While he can play linebacker and would likely be a first-round pick as one, Reese’s potential as an edge rusher is tantalizing. As the debate rages on about what position he should play, a current NFL defensive coordinator chimed in, via James Palmer of Bleacher Report.

“It’s tough. I think his best spot is edge rusher,” the assistant coach said, per Palmer. “But he is fully athletically capable of playing inside LB. I think his disposition is more edge rusher when you talk to him. You just get that feel from him. If he had a gun to his head he’d probably say that as well. With his athletic tools and how his brain works he could be directly impactful there at edge.”

Reese is a freak athlete with all of the traits that teams want in a pass rusher, which makes it make sense why he is thought of so highly around the league. Combine that with pass rusher being a premium position and linebacker not being one, and it’s understandable why he is primarily viewed as an edge rusher prospect.

Reese only had 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss last season, which are still good numbers but not what you would expect from a potential top-five pick. However, teams are betting on his physical traits to bear out when he becomes a more refined and polished player at the position, which could see him drafted as high as No. 2.

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