Former Jets enemy has glowing reviews of Arvell Reese ahead of NFL Draft

The New York Jets are going to try anything and everything to make sure they can land a high-end starter with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, though it appears as though Ohio State hybrid pass rusher Arvell Reese is slowly starting to beat out the rest of the competition.

Former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, now the defensive coordinator at Ohio State, was the primary architect behind Reese's very unique role. To hear him tell it, anyone who picks Reese would be thrilled for years to come.

Patricia, in an appearance on Peter Schrager's podcast, could not have praised Reese any more. Not only is he a unique physical specimen, but Patricia said that he is willing to soak up as much coaching as possible.

"He's just a joy," Patricia said. "He just, you have so much fun. He's a sponge. He wants to learn...his ability to set the edge of a defense, his explosive power that you see on tape, his ability to run speed to power, pass rush, compress the pocket from the backside, it's pretty rare, and it's pretty special."

Matt Patricia can't stop praising possible Jets pick Arvell Reese

Reese may need to switch full-time positions in the NFL, but he has shown that he could theoretically be a high-end inside linebacker and pass rusher at the professional level due to both his ability to absorb information and some jaw-dropping athleticism.

Reese's versatility gives him the edge over Texas Tech's David Bailey, who offsets his excellent pass-rush skills by often looking like an average or below-average run defender. Reese has the same explosion off the snap as the Red Raiders' sack artist.

Reese also stands out in comparison to Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. after the latter's historically short arm length at the NFL Combine. In fact, perhaps the top competition he may have for the No. 2 overall pick could be some of his own teammates, including safety Caleb Downs or fellow Combine marvel linebacker Sonny Styles.

Patricia helped author many of the worst Jets offensive performances in history in his time with New England, but he might pay New York back for all those humiliations by giving this franchise one of the most athletically gifted players in recent memory on a silver platter.