With free agency nearing the rearview mirror and the NFL Draft coming up, it is time to shift our focus to the next big event in the offseason.
The Cardinals were able to replace their only big loss in Jalen Thompson, seamlessly, signing former Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard. On top of that, Ossenfort added Devin Duvernay to improve the special teams unit, as well as Tyler Allgeier to sure up the running game.
However, the Cardinals still need to add more to their offensive line, as the unit was relatively weak as a whole in 2025. But Mel Kiper Jr. has Arizona going a different direction, which is improving a pass rush that looks to stay healthy in 2026.
Kiper has the Cardinals selecting Arvell Reese out of Ohio State going at pick No. 3, and he will shockingly be the second defender to go off the board, as David Bailey is projected to go at No. 2 to the New York Jets.
Kiper said the following about Reese and the Cardinals' situation:
“The Cardinals weren't much better than the Jets in the sack department, tying for 28th with 30. Josh Sweat needs a running mate, and Reese has the instincts and burst to get home on the QB. Of course, Reese also played off-ball linebacker at Ohio State, and though he said during the combine that he would be an NFL edge rusher, that sort of versatility is a big plus. He had 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss last season.” — Mel Kiper Jr.
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In his junior year with the Buckeyes, Reese tallied 69 tackles and 10 sacks over the course of 14 games played, an absolute gamewrecker.
Reese will fill in nicely with Josh Sweat and Walter Nolen III, who look to improve a pass rush that didn’t exactly come as advertised this past season.