The reasons the New Orleans Saints would want Arvell Reese aren't rocket science, and Pro Football Focus's Max Chadwick perfectly explained it when detailing each team's perfect pick.
The Saints produced the 10th-worst team PFF pass-rushing grade in the NFL this year, and star linebacker Demario Davis is 37 years old. Reese is an impressive downhill defender, as his eight sacks in 2025 tied for the fourth most among college football linebackers, and he logged an 86.5 PFF run-defense grade to boot. Reese could play either off-ball linebacker or on the ball as an edge defender for the Saints.
The Saints need an edge rusher and could need an off ball linebacker. He's done both and could be asked to do either for the Saints. The uncertainty around Demario Davis' future with the team makes the prospect of drafting Reese more interesting.
Arvell Reese to the Saints feels like a pipe dream. How would it not be?
Reese has been the player Saints fans have wanted from the jump. Once it became clear that Tyler Shough took quarterback off the board, Reese instantly became a fan favorite. Unfortunately, Shough winning the Saints out of the quarterback race also pushed them out of the Reese sweepstakes. There's a reason you don't hear Saints fans talk about him as much anymore.
Reese is a typically a top-five pick in every mock draft you find. Sometimes, Reese will drop out of the first five selections, but it's rare to see him fall as far as eighth. He's a dynamic pass rusher, and there's always going to be a premium on that.
It's important to remember that mock drafts, especially this early, are far from perfect. We'll get more refined mock drafts as the draft analysts talk to more scouts. Then, we'll get a better idea of what the rumors are. Let's play it out how Reese could make it to eighth overall, though, even if it feels unlikely.
The versatility in Reese's game that we mentioned earlier could work against him. His greatest asset is also his greatest weakness. If the Ohio State linebacker were to drop, it could be from doing too much. Stylistically, Reese compares to now Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker.
Walker was a hybrid player who played significant snaps on-ball and off-ball. Mock drafts had him as a consistent top-10 pick. He ended up going 15th overall. Not a bad position, but the difference was notable. That could happen to Reese as well.
Reese's stock is a little higher than Walker's was. It feels closer to Abdul Carter a year ago. Where the two prospects differ is Carter played primarily on the ball after being an off ball linebacker in his first two seasons. Reese went the split position route. Maybe Reese falls victim to the same issues from scouts. That could result in him dropping to the Saints.