Reese or Styles?
By Walter Mitchell
One of the great debates of the 2026 NFL Draft is how to rank the four defensive standouts that are, in alphabetical order: David Bailey (Texas Tech), Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami FL), Arvell Reese (Ohio St.) and Sonny Styles (Ohio St.).
If your team runs a base 3-4, imagine then what this lineup would look like:
SOLB Rueben Bain Jr.
MILB Sonny Styles
WILB Arvell Resse
WOLB David Bailey
On this thread, we are taking a close look at the top two linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles
Arvell Reese
5 Special Traits:
* Superb versatility to play WILB and Edge at a high level
* Quick diagnoses to make stops on the ball.
* Lowers his shoulder into tackles and wraps up in textbook fashion.
* Has edge blend of quickness, length and power.
* Shows outstanding burst as a blitzer between the tackles.
Arvell Reese Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com
Overview
At 20 years old, Reese is still growing into his frame and his game, but learning from James Laurinaitis (linebackers coach) and Matt Patricia (defensive coordinator) should give him a head start in acclimating to the pro game. He plays off-ball linebacker and stand-up edge with the talent to post impact production from either spot. His third-down versatility adds alignment variety and helps camouflage defensive intent. His run diagnosis and angles of attack are average, but he flows quickly once he triggers, using assertive hands to stack and play off blocks. He’s fast in pursuit and his tackle finishing could become elite. His rush is kinetic and tough for tackles to mirror. It’s under construction, but Reese has already sprouted go-to moves and rush plans that need more refinement. He might need some runway to hit his stride, but his rare blend of traits, explosiveness and versatility could become a perfect storm of chaos once a defense decides how to deploy him.
Strengths
- Dynamic deployment potential as a Mike or hybrid Will linebacker.
- Still in the process of filling out his frame.
- Improved patience, diagnosis and downhill flow as season progressed.
- Hands stay active to help play off, through and around blocks.
- Has all the tools to become an NFL edge-setter.
- Tone-setting hand strikes explode into his targets.
- Length and speed provide playmaking range a city block wide.
- Already has three or four go-to rush moves under construction.
- Pairs a run-and-dip edge move with a speed-bull counter.
- Fluid and fast to maximize his attack on two-way goes.
- Comes to balance with good timing and in a tackle-ready stance.
- Twitchy laterally to bring down slashers in space.
- Can rush, spy and smother man-cover targets underneath.
Weaknesses
- Upper-body strength will need more attention.
- Lack of experience shows itself in reaction time when diagnosing.
- Needs to cut his hands loose quicker when striking blockers.
- Affected by post-snap eye candy and misdirection.
- Needs better hand work and a counter at the top of his rush.
- Inconsistent route awareness in his zone drops.
Prospect Grade
Production Score
Athleticism Score *est
Total Score
Sonny Styles
Production Score
Athleticism Score *est
Total Score
Overview
Styles began his Ohio State career as a safety, but he settled in at linebacker in 2024. He’s improved in diagnosing play development. The former Buckeye diffuses block attempts with crisp hand strikes and leverages run fits with force/anchor strength. There are times when he slips back into a containment-based approach, but he has plenty of short-area quickness and pursuit speed to get where he needs to go. He can make an impact from multiple spots on the field and is a plus man-cover talent. Styles is an emerging player with the traits and versatility to garner longer looks by NFL evaluators. He could see his stock soar leading up to draft day.
Strengths
- Lines up the defensive front and makes adjustments if needed.
- Disciplined in sifting through pre- and post-snap eye candy.
- Pops and separates from climbing blockers with a crisp punch.
- Constricts run fits by using size, force and technique.
- Scrapes quickly to the action without losing leverage.
- Impressive talent for slipping through traffic and into tackles.
- Versatility/athleticism can be weaponized for coverage disguise.
- Gains depth and widens to the flats with above-average quickness.
- Impeccable tackle finisher.
Weaknesses
- Recognition of blocking schemes needs more work.
- Can afford to crank up the urgency at times.
- Slow to reaccelerate on stop/start movements in pursuit.
- Tight hips prevent fluid change of direction from downhill flow.
- Inconsistent shading zone drops to quarterback’s eyes.
- Average instincts and physicality as a blitzer.
Sources Tell Us
“It’s hard to look at him and think that he was ever a safety with that frame. And he’s always been wired like a linebacker.” – AFC regional scout
Reese is my least favorite of the group of four your proposing. He has boom/bust aspect to his profile - while on one hand he may be the next Micah Parsons - he might be the next Zaven Collins.
ReplyDeleteStyles looks like a menace and someone offensive coaches have to take into account on every play of game. He can rush passer, play in coverage and stop the run. He is an all-in-one tool in your bag as a Defensive coach.
The question I have to ask myself with all four players - How will they develop on their own, what kind of work ethic and self-determination do they have to learn their craft on their own. Because Rallis has not developed any talent that I've seen. Like so many NFL coaches of today, they are fine with ready-made players; but the group of coaches who actually get more from their players is few. Rallis does not appear to get more, but less.
Its a tough question for a layman like myself to make determination as to which player best fits the needs of Mr Bidwills team (its not our team 'cause Bidwill typically makes the opposite decision).
If I ranked them in my mind it would go...
(1) Bain - His moves look pretty well developed, his strength unquestionable.
(2) Styles - Would he be as effective without a slobber-knocking NT (something Cardinals are missing)
(3) Bailey - Can he play all three downs, will he play as fast when he adds strength to play run-game?
(4) Reese - Just no at #3 for me, too much risk.
Interesting point about the NT situation. If the Cardinals did take Styles at #3, maybe taking his teammate Kayden McDonald to be the NT at #34 would make perfect sense,
DeleteI would not be opposed to that. But this requires MO to have a plan not involving injured players.
DeleteJust did following with Mock draft... (4 rnd)
Delete#3 - Styles LB (OSU)
#34 - Hunter DT (TTU)
#65 - Abney CB (ASU)
#104 - Kilgore S (SC)
...
I am still of position Cardinals should at least take a swing at one of the QB's in later rounds, IFF they have a QB coach who can develop that player. Even if that player is a future backup QB, I think days of running season with 1 QB are over. I seriously doubt either Brissett or Minishew are long-term solution/plan.
A player like Reese who is young/inexperienced and also lacking in a clear position needs to go to a team and coaching staff that knows what it's doing. He's the exact type of player the Cardinals have a history of ruining.
ReplyDeleteSonny Styles sounds like the unicorn of this draft.
Perfect
DeleteStyles—or whichever DL/Edge they take at #3—will be counted on to fix a League bottom defense with the same failed DC and scheme, drafted by the same FO that’s drafted three straight D classes undeveloped and underperforming. They made a good start getting things right with FA, now nail the draft
ReplyDeleteMy ranking for who’s most ready to contribute and accomplished at the position in college: Bain’s got the moves and strength to step in immediately, and he fits the Cardinals’ need for a disruptive interior presence up the middle. Styles is talented, but would he shine without a true NT to anchor the line? He could fill the edge role, but the Cards still need someone to eat blocks and free up linebackers. Bailey has the speed to get after the QB, but can he handle all three downs and hold up against the run once he adds the strength needed for a heavy-rotation scheme? Reese is still raw and has a lot to prove; he might eventually fit as a rotational piece, but the Cards need immediate impact to stop the bleeding on defense.
ReplyDeleteThis reflects my concern that we have not developed our young D players but I'm hoping the "experienced adults" they've hired as D position coaches can change this.