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2026 NFL Draft Preview: The Arvell Reese vs. David Bailey Debate Leads a Strong Front Seven Class

Photo of Scott Kacsmar Scott Kacsmar09/04/2026 - 10:53 am
2026 NFL Draft - Front Seven (Arvell Reese, David Bailey)

We finished the offensive players in our 2026 NFL Draft previews by looking at the offensive line on Tuesday. Now we’re switching to the defensive side of the ball, starting with a class of front seven players led by Arvell Reese (Ohio State) and David Bailey (Texas Tech).

Between quarterback and wide receivers, you have pass rushers making some of the best money of any NFL player these days when they’re a successful star like Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Maxx Crosby, Aidan Hutchinson, Nick Bosa, and Micah Parsons.

If you look at the top defensive players by average salary, the top seven, who are all making at least $34M annually, are all edge rushers. That’s a premiere position, and that’s really the only defensive position that we’re experiencing a golden age for right now as the linebackers, corners, and safeties aren’t nearly as strong as past eras.

The 2026 NFL Draft will only look to widen that gap as edge rusher is considered maybe the deepest and most talented position group this year. Off-ball linebackers are also getting good praise from this draft cycle, but we’ll see how many end up being hits.

Since there aren’t many off-ball linebackers and defensive tackles ranked highly in this class, and with the minimal distinction between edge and outside linebacker these days, we’re just going to group together the best front seven players (defensive ends, defensive tackles, linebackers, edge) below.

Using the prospect rankings from NFL Mock Draft Database, we are going to look at the top nine front seven prospects who are ranked in the top 32 picks (high potential for first round). We’ll look at how their skills might translate to the NFL, and which team would be the best landing spot for them.

2026 NFL Draft - Front Seven (Arvell Reese, David Bailey)

1. LB Arvell Reese (Ohio State) – No. 2 Overall Prospect

Arvell Reese is considered the top linebacker in the 2026 draft after a breakout junior year at Ohio State in 2025 where he was named an All-American. He’s a hybrid linebacker/edge with strong athletic testing (4.46 seconds on 40-yard dash) and he had 6.5 sacks last year (10 tackles for loss).

But is he really the best defensive prospect in this class? He passes the athletic and eye test. He’s only turning 21 in late August, so there’s still a high ceiling and room for growth here as he’s far from a finished product. His run defense is already ahead of the curve. The production isn’t there yet on pass rushing, but he’s also essentially a one-year starter.

He brings versatility with the ability to play off-ball linebacker, edge, and drop back into coverage. That adds a lot of value to his stock.

But if you’re going to maximize the pick of him in the top three this year, you better have a good plan for how to use him.

Best Fit – New York Jets (No. 2 Pick)

We know with almost certainty that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is going No. 1 to the Raiders. The discussion for Arvell Reese starts with the No. 2 pick, and I think the Jets will take him. For what it’s worth, Bet365 has the following odds on the No. 2 pick:

  • Arvell Reese (-180)
  • David Bailey (+150)
  • Rueben Bain (+2000)

Without a quarterback available at No. 2, you just know the Jets will want to take a top defender after Aaron Glenn’s defense managed to go 17 games without an interception last year. One way to increase that number, beyond pure dumb luck and regression, is to create more chaos and pressure on the quarterback with your pass rush.

That’s what they’ll hope to get out of Reese, but there is a good debate on whether he is the best pick this year or if it’s the next guy.

2. Edge David Bailey (Texas Tech) – No. 3 Overall Prospect

David Bailey is considered by many to be the best pure defensive end/edge rusher in this draft class. He played three years at Stanford where he had 14.5 sacks, then he doubled his career total with 14.5 sacks in 2025 alone after he transferred to Texas Tech. He also had 19.5 tackles for loss last year.

Bailey has a polished pass-rush arsenal with his moves and explosive first step, a value of his 4-year experience at two schools. Some are concerned about the level of competition he did his best against, and he could stand to get better against the run.

But for a pure pass rusher in this draft class, it’s going to be very hard to do any better than Bailey.

Best Fit – New York Jets (No. 2 Pick)

You have a classic decision here for the Jets at the No. 2 pick between Arvell Reese and David Bailey. Reese is the higher ceiling, limited experience, freakish athlete with a lot of potential. Bailey is the more proven pass rusher, the safer pick with the higher floor and more experience.

Personally, I feel like the latter usually beats out the former in these cases, but we’ll see. Historically, the Jets always seem to take the wrong player too. Think Ken O’Brien over Dan Marino, Blair Thomas over Emmitt Smith, and Al Toon over Jerry Rice. Yep, that’s the Jets for you.

Again, just pointing out the latest odds from Bet365 for the No. 3 pick, which the Arizona Cardinals currently hold:

  • David Bailey (+220)
  • Arvell Reese (+250)
  • Francis Mauigoa (+400)

While I know I said the Jets were the best fit for Reese, I kind of lied, or at least I didn’t want to spoil my final pick before discussing Bailey. If I was Arizona, I think I’d trade down if I could if I’m just being honest.

But the way I see it, the Jets should draft Bailey as the surer thing as a pass rusher, and the Cardinals should draft Reese at No. 3 and let him learn from a versatile safety like Budda Baker. The Cardinals have a new offensive coach (Mike LaFleur) but ended up retaining defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, so he may be content to see things through with Walter Nolen and Darius Robinson on the edges (plus Josh Sweat).

Reese could play a hybrid position for the Cardinals, but again, I’d try to trade down the No. 3 pick if I was Arizona, and I’d take Bailey at No. 2 if I was New York.

3. LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State) – No. 6 Overall Prospect

Ohio State recruited Sonny Styles to play safety, but he may have made the career-saving move to linebacker for the 2024 season where he helped the team to a national championship with 100 combined tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6.0 sacks.

His production was down last year, but he still finished with 82 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and his only college interception. Styles also tested great athletically and is the consensus best off-ball linebacker in this class.

Styles projects as a fast tackle machine in the NFL with comparisons to Fred Warner of the 49ers.

Best Fit – New York Giants (No. 5 Pick)

While the Giants could look for some direct help for quarterback Jaxson Dart, I can’t help but think the first pick of the John Harbaugh era is a cornerstone linebacker. This is a coach who got into the job with Ray Lewis already there in Baltimore, then he had some good ones later like Roquan Smith.

Styles would fit in right away with the Giants and prevent the Commanders from snagging him at No. 7.

4. Edge Rueben Bain (Miami FL) – No. 7 Overall Prospect

Rueben Bain might be the most polarizing prospect in this group. Some like him as the top edge rusher in the class for his toughness and power, and some are concerned about his short arms, consistency, and overall ceiling.

Bain played three years at Miami and had 20.5 sacks with a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2025 when he helped the Hurricanes to the title game with an impressive playoff run. He also had 33.5 tackles for loss in college, so he’s explosive to get to the backfield quickly.

Opinions really do vary on Bain. Some think he’s a top-five pick and some don’t see him in the top 25. But most lean towards him being one of the best prospects in the class.

Best Fit – Cincinnati Bengals (No. 10 Pick)

Don’t expect Bain to last past No. 14 when Baltimore picks, and that’s been a popular destination for him in mock drafts. I think the real range is 7-to-14 for him. The Commanders could certainly use a long-term pass rusher, though they did just spend some decent money to add a few starters in free agency there. Maybe Dan Quinn will see Bain as too undersized to handle his 4-3 defensive end responsibilities.

The Saints (No. 8) could be in play with Cameron Jordan about to turn 37 years old. Time for some fresh blood in the pass rush.

The Chiefs (No. 9) really need to start thinking about the future of the pass rush, which stunk last year, as Chris Jones isn’t getting any younger. If Bain is available, it’d be hard to pass him up.

But while I know the Bengals used a first-round pick on Shemar Stewart last year that got off to a shaky start, I think they need to keep throwing darts here, especially with Trey Hendrickson officially out the door to Baltimore. Don’t let the Ravens get Bain next too at No. 14.

5. Edge Akheem Mesidor (Miami FL) – No. 19 Overall Prospect

You’ll notice there’s a drop-off after the first four front seven prospects and the fifth. But Akheem Mesidor could slide only because he’ll be a 25-year-old rookie, so you lose some prime value there with him. He played two years at West Virginia (2020-21) before transferring to Miami for four more seasons in 2022-25.

But he played at Miami with Rueben Bain and actually outdid him in 2025 with 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss to lead the Hurricanes, who made it to the national championship game.

With his motor for the pass rush, he’s going to stand out as one of the best rushers in this class, which should get him to the upper first round.

Best Fit – Dallas Cowboys (No. 20 Pick)

The Cowboys have made some moves in the front seven since the blasphemous trade of Micah Parsons to Green Bay, but it’s time to start using those draft picks to rebuild too. The Cowboys are picking No. 12 and No. 20 in this draft, so I think they could go for Mesidor with that second pick.

I’d say his age might be a concern for Jerry Jones, but if you don’t plan on paying him for a second contract that you don’t even know if you yourself will be around to see play out, then it might be the best value they can make at No. 20.

6. Edge Keldric Faulk (Auburn) – No. 20 Overall Prospect

A 3-year player at Auburn (team captain in 2025) where he had 10 sacks with 7.0 of those coming in the 2024 season. Unlike Akheem Mesidor above, Faulk only turns 21 this September, so there’s still a lot of room for growth and development here with the right team.

But Faulk is thought to have a higher ceiling than most, a good frame, reliable tackler, and he’s a quality guy to have in your locker room. If you don’t think that’s important, ask the Falcons if they wish they dug deeper into James Pearce Jr. last year.

Best Fit – Los Angeles Chargers (No. 22 Pick)

If the Cowboys don’t draft the older Mesidor at No. 20, then Faulk could certainly be the pick there too for a younger prospect that can make a home in Dallas for a long time.

But I’m giving him to Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers as I think they need to get younger and deeper at that position, especially when you’re in the AFC and have to get after all the franchise quarterbacks in big games. They’ve had Khalil Mack, who is on his last legs, and they could take their time developing Faulk.

7. DT Peter Woods (Clemson) – No. 26 Overall Prospect

Peter Woods is the No. 1 defensive tackle prospect for some in this class. He has been versatile with a good number of snaps at defensive end in 2024 where he put his best tape at Clemson (8.5 sacks in 2024 vs. 6 sacks in other two seasons combined), and he could work out in multiple schemes at the next level.

Some have concerns with his short arms, lack of pass-rushing moves, and reliance on overwhelming brute force to win. But he’s young (21) and still has time to get much better as another high-ceiling prospect like Keldric Faulk.

Best Fit – Chicago Bears (No. 25 Pick)

Woods may not last past the Chargers (No. 22) as a popular landing spot for him, but he could still be there at No. 25 when Chicago is on the clock. The Bears have Grady Jarrett up front and could absolutely stand to get younger and more talented up front as defense was their bigger issue last year.

8. Edge T.J. Parker (Clemson) – No. 27 Overall Prospect

A lot of Clemson players are targeted in this range of the draft this year. T.J. Parker is the edge rusher who lined up with Peter Woods. Parker also shined in 2024 more, which might just say more about Clemson as a program than anything. Tough year in 2025.

But Parker had 11 sacks in 2024 and 11.5 sacks in his other two seasons combined. The slide in production in 2025 could see him slide to the late first round, but he’s a likely first-round pick in this class.

Best Fit – Miami Dolphins (No. 30 Pick)

The usual suspects (Cowboys, Chargers, Bears, Bills) could be a spot in the 20s for Parker. But I think with a new defensive coach (Jeff Hafley) in town, the Dolphins are in the mix for a pass rusher after releasing Bradley Chubb, and Parker fits there at No. 30.

9. DT Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) – No. 31 Overall Prospect

Ohio State’s defense was as good as any in the nation the last two seasons, so it’s not that surprising to see the Buckeyes have three of the highest-graded defensive prospects in the 2026 class.

A third that could land in the first round is defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. He was a reserve for the Buckeyes in 2023-24 becoming an All-American in 2025 with 65 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. That’s a lot of tackles for an interior lineman, and he’ll likely be inside only in the NFL.

He’s 6’2” but a thick and active tackle machine that can be the anchor to your run defense. His lack of pass-rushing production is going to make him slide in the first round, but there’s a good chance he still goes in the top 32 picks.

Best Fit – Buffalo Bills (No. 26 Pick)

The Bills may have more pressing needs, but No. 26 is not a great spot to be in this draft class where many don’t believe there are 26 players worth a typical first-round grade. So, one thing we know the Bills struggled with last year was stopping the run. They finished 28th in yards and 30th in yards per carry against.

With Sean McDermott no longer the coach who thinks he can scheme around this flaw, the Bills just might be moving in a different direction and try to add some first-round talent to deal with improving the defense that way. McDonald as a top three defensive tackle in this class would make sense here.

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Photo of Scott Kacsmar Scott Kacsmar09/04/2026 - 10:53 am