The Arizona Cardinals will have the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Arizona finished with a 3-14 record last season. The Cardinals made changes at head coach. They fired Jonathan Gannon after three seasons, and they decided to hire Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as the next head coach. This will be an interesting transition for them because Arizona is a way’s away from competing in the NFC West.
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Mike LaFleur (head coach) answers questions during a news conference at the Arizona Cardinals training facility in Tempe on Feb. 18, 2026.
They have offensive talent, but they need to figure out what to do with quarterback Kyler Murray this offseason. Arizona needs a lot of help on the defensive side of the football. One player that they could potentially be scouting closely is Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese. Reese is projected to be a Top 5 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Arizona Cardinals Select Arvell Reese In Latest PFF NFL Mock Draft
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Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) is tackled by Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) in the fourth quarter during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dalton Wasserman created his latest three-round NFL Mock Draft in 2026. With Arizona drafting third overall, he has this franchise selecting Reese from Ohio State. Wasserman said,
“Some consider Reese to be the most talented player in this class. There is debate about whether he should play on or off the ball, but Arizona desperately needs to upgrade at linebacker withZaven CollinsandBaron Browningboth entering contract years. Reese offers enough flexibility for the Cardinals to get him in the building and figure out his position later.”
Reese is 6’4″ and weighs 243 lbs. He recorded 69 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two pass deflections with Ohio State last season. There is a going to be a lot of discussions in NFL draft rooms about which defensive star player to take. A lot of the draft will depend on what the New York Jets do second overall. Reese, Rueben Bain Jr., and David Bailey could all potentially be drafted in the Top 5 this season. Arizona needs defensive help big time and drafting one of those three players is the right way to go for them here.
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