The Cowboys have an advantage no one else does if they want to draft LB Arvell Reese in a trade up scenario
As talented as Arvell Reese is, he comes with a massive question mark. The Dallas Cowboys have unique insight into it, however, and it could help their decision making on Draft Day.
When news emerged on the Dallas Cowboys hosting Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese to a pre-draft visit, it was tough to interpret it.
With the Cowboys picking at No. 12 overall, it seemed like they had no shot at picking Reese, who is projected to be a Top 3 pick. But now that trade up rumors have intensified, walking away with the top defender in the class certainly appears viable.
And that’s not all. The Cowboys have a unique advantage in potentially drafting Reese, and that’s because they have better access to him than most NFL teams. That should bring understanding to an ambiguous development arc. Let’s dive in.
Reese is training with a Cowboys staffer
Earlier in the year, the Cowboys hired Brandon Jordan to be their “pass rush consultant.” Jordan spends the offseason privately working with NFL players and draft prospects, similar to what Duke Manyweather famously does with offensive linemen.
Jordan, for instance, already works with Cowboys EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku. Ahead of this year’s draft, he’s working with LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State), EDGE David Bailey (Texas Tech), S Caleb Downs (Ohio State), EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., among others.
But working with Reese is particularly meaningful due to his career trajectory. Though he was mostly a linebacker for the Buckeyes, Reese is projected to move to edge rusher at the NFL level.
Questions about how much he can do as a pass rusher early on may give some teams pause. Recent rumors indicate that’s why the New York Jets may lean toward Bailey over Reese at No. 2 overall.
Reese even said in a viral clip with ESPN’s Benjamin Solak that he never worked on pass rush in college.
“I didn’t even have a name for what I just did,” Reese said while reviewing one of his pressures. “This is all kind of out of the blue. I did it a couple of times in practice, but I never really perfected this move to just go out there and do it.”
With access to Jordan’s hands-on insight with Reese, the Cowboys can make a much more educated decision on where he is path to become an NFL pass rusher. The upside is clearly there for Reese, who is an athletic freak. What Jordan can bring is a better understanding of how much time he needs to be an impactful edge rusher on Sundays.
That’s valuable for the Cowboys, who likely need to trade up to No. 3 overall with the Arizona Cardinals for a chance to call Reese’s name. That would take quite a haul to pull off, and doing so with uncertainty on Reese’s path would be a no-no for this front office.
But as we can see on social media almost everyday, Reese is out there working with a Cowboys staffer. That’s unique insight.
Cowboys expected to trade up, the rest is unclear
It’s clear multiple insiders expect the Cowboys to move up come draft day, but it’s unclear who their target is. Reese may very well be it, especially if Jordan Schultz’ reporting is correct. The latter indicated Dallas may want to jump the New York Giants (picking at No. 5).
LB Sonny Styles is also considered a likely target after Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay, and Dane Brugler all mocked him to Dallas in a trade scenario at No. 6 overall.
Finally, it’s unclear whether or not the Cowboys are willing to pay what it takes to move up from No. 12. It will likely take No. 12, No. 20, plus some change.
What is clear is that it’s going to be an exciting draft day for Cowboys fans, as everything an anything appears to be an option.