OTB’s mock draft lands massive steal for Saints, Brandon Staley

By Ross Jackson

Less than a week ahead of the NFL Draft, the team at 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge’s Off The Bench (OTB) conducted their 2026 NFL mock draft. In the process, co-hosts Jacob Hester and Matt Flynn made selections along with audio producer Alondra Villarreal and video producer Taylor Sharp. In the process, the group landed an absolute steal for the New Orleans Saints.

With the No. 8 overall selection, the OTB team selected Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese for the Saints.

While many expect Reese to be one of the first players off the board even earlier than the Saints’ selection, a fall is not out of the question. Some teams may not feel comfortable with Resse’s “tweener” build and skill set. However, the Saints would likely have no issue finding a way to use his elite talents.

While some teams and systems may struggle to define him as a linebacker or edge rusher, Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s approach would allow him to simply do both. At times, he could be asked to drop back into coverage while at other times, he could be deployed as a pressure player. 

Reese finished the 2025 season with 69 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks and a pair of passes defended. His elite speed and motor are hard to miss on tape and were demonstrated well with his athletic testing. At 6-foot-4 and 241 pounds, the Ohio State Buckeyes ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, only further elevating his draft stock.

So how does a player like this fall in the draft? Along with the tweener potential and system fit questions some teams could have, the simple truth is that there is a lot of talent at the top of this draft. Here’s how the OTB team saw the first seven selections panning out, leading to Reese being the selection at No. 8.

1.1: Las Vegas Raiders Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza

1.2: New York Jets select Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey

1.3: Arizona Cardinals select Miami OL Francis Mauigoa

1.4: Tennessee Titans select Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love

1.5: New York Giants select Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald

1.6: Dallas Cowboys (via CLE) select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate

1.7: Washington Commanders select LSU CB Mansoor Delane

The standout selection there is undoubtedly McDonald going top-five to the Giants. However, with New York’s very public turmoil with star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence spiraling to a potential split, a need on the defensive interior could spur them to make a drastic decision.

In the last three drafts, a defensive tackle has been selected inside the top-10 twice. Jalen Carter went to the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 9 overall selection and just last year Michigan’s Mason Graham was taken by the Cleveland Browns at the same selection as the one the Giants hold this year, No. 5.

The idea of going for an interior defender early may be unlikely this year, but isn’t impossible. Beyond that, should the mock have included the Giants’ most popular projected selection instead, Reese would have still remained on the board. In that scenario, New York selects an Ohio State linebacker, but goes with the one perceived to have a more solid position fit, Sonny Styles.

In that case, Reese still makes it to the Saints and Staley is likely standing on a table celebrating in the Saints’ draft room. Replace the McDonald pick, and this scenario is still indeed possible.

This is expected to be one of the more active and unpredictable drafts in recent history. That means surprises could be abundant. Not the least of which will be the Saints landing an elite defensive talent. But if that talent ends up being Reese, it would be a game-changing and potentially franchise-altering addition to an already ascendent defense.