The Las Vegas Raiders have so many needs that they can justify addressing any position in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, outside of tight end and running back. Many expect the team to target a quarterback.
Geno Smith has played very poorly, and he’s going to be 36 next year. Unfortunately, the 2026 draft class of quarterbacks seems to be underwhelming. With a litany of other needs, the Raiders’ best strategy might be to upgrade other positions and try for a quarterback in 2027.
Outside of defensive end Maxx Crosby, the Raiders don’t have any difference makers on defense. They need to surround him with more talent to better maximize his play.
Luckily, there are some elite defensive prospects expected to enter the 2026 draft. In Mike Renner’s new mock draft for CBS Sports, he has the Raiders strike gold by landing Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the No. 6 pick.
“Reese is the perfect modern hybrid linebacker to give a defensive coordinator flexibility,” Renner wrote. “He looks just as comfortable rushing the passer as he does dropping deep into coverage. And he’s got the body type to easily do both.”
Mel Kiper Jr. Has Reese as Top Defensive Prospect
There will be some debate on who the top defensive prospect in the 2026 class will be. Some like Miami pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr., others like Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods and some might prefer Reese’s Ohio State teammate Caleb Downs.
However, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. thinks that Reese is the best defender in the class.
“This is a complete football player. Reese jumps off the Ohio State tape, playing the game like a veteran,” Kiper wrote. “I see natural instincts at the linebacker position that allow him to make plays most guys just can’t make, and he has the burst to get home when turned loose as a pass rusher. Reese has been a big riser in this class.”
Reese Has Been Compared to Micah Parsons
Reese is a linebacker, but he’s likely going to transition to more of a pass rusher role. The last time the Raiders did something like that was with Khalil Mack, who is still an elite football player over a decade after getting drafted.
However, he’s not that comparable to Mack. Instead, ESPN’s Matt Miller sees him as being more similar to Green Bay Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons.
“I can’t get over how great Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State) has been this year,” Miller wrote 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.
“Reese’s style, build and athletic ability are going to make the conversation about playing him off the edge in the pros really interesting. Not to turn every LB into a Micah Parsons project, but he fits that mold.”
Even if Reese doesn’t transition to being on the defensive line, the Raiders have needed an elite linebacker for years. He could fill that role for Las Vegas. Regardless of where they see him playing, Reese would be a slam-dunk pick for the Raiders.
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