...and with the third pick in the 2026 NFL Draft..

[Goldfield]

Nahhh we got BJ Ojulari

I saw we drafted him. I just haven’t seen him yet.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Love didn't even compete for the college rushing title. He's on had 20 carries in his career three times.

Madness.

He also had a teammate who may also go 1st round.

Not madness.

 

[Solar7]

Love didn't even compete for the college rushing title. He's on had 20 carries in his career three times.

Madness.

Most top-tier players in college don't compete for their respective yardage titles. There's always some kid in a lower-tier FBS or FCS school that's getting handed the ball an absurd amount of times, because they're the only talent the team has.

Andy Isabella was the FBS receiving leader in 2018, and we all know how that worked out in the NFL.

Love didn't need to run the ball 20 times a game because he happened to share the backfield with Jadarian Price, who might be the RB2 in this class.

Not necessarily. He never fully carried a load. Can he handle the burden of 20+ touches a game over 17 weeks?

See above.

This. All of this. Jeanty had a historic season at Boise State, and a disappointing rookie season with the Raiders under very similar circumstances to what Love would have with the Cardinals.

Jeanty had a "historic" season playing against garbage schools with a weak schedule. They also began handing him the ball regardless of winning to try to get him a record. This is why I don't understand how you approach Love - he played against and decimated more talented players than Jeanty ever sniffed, as part of a team who has been a contender for the National Championship. Boise State was playing UNLV.

 

[oaken1]

I have not heard of any team putting a health red flag on Mauigoa. The back condition was considered minor. The recheck was strictly precautionary and made him an even safer choice.

Ever have a back injury?
I have.
The simple fact that it needed to be re-checked is a red flag.
The kid is 20 nothing...back injuries never fully go away.

 

[oaken1]

Not necessarily. He never fully carried a load. Can he handle the burden of 20+ touches a game over 17 weeks?

Highly drafted backs usually have more touches in their college career because they've proven they can be workhorses.

Or because the team around them is lacking so the coach is riding his one good horse into the ground to get a winning season.

 

[Krangodnzr]

He also had a teammate who may also go 1st round.

Not madness.

Because of a ridiculously slim talent pool, not because of actual talent.

 

[Chopper0080]

Plus, he is a spot on scheme fit. I feel like the fans on this message board, as well as the local media (and national for that matter) have not taken the time to actually study and understand Rallis’ defense.

Multiple defensive line-looks, disguising and simulated pressure might be the most fundamental pillars in Rallis’ nickel defense, and they are in nickel on like 70-75% of all defensive snaps. Reese has so many skills that the opponent will never have a chance of guessing what he will do at a given play. With Bailey, they can pretty much make an easy and fast probability calculus to figure out that he will likely rush. I am not saying that role is not important in the system, but so is Reese’s.

Another thing nobody mention is how Rallis was part of maximizing Haason Reddick (16 sacks, five forced fumbled), who is probably the best NFL comparison for Reese (other than Micah Parsons). Or how the Cards just hired Teryl Austin, who has many years of experience coaching up edge rushers like Nick Herbig, Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt to become big NFL contributors in somewhat similar roles to what Reese would do.

I am obviously not saying that Reese will without a doubt become a star, but to argue that it would be a bad pick is simply just very strange.

I think there is a lot of stretching going on here. No one even knows if Rallis will be the DC after this year. He wasn't able to do anything with Simmons and they have done a little hybrid work with Collins but it hasn't resulted in much. Mostly he just plays less now. So, there has not been a history of making the best use of "hybrid" players. Also, as recent as last year, people complained that Rallis's scheme and blitz packages were very predictable and basic.

There is an argument to draft Reese, but some of what you are saying is what other teams with more proven DCs have done with hybrid players when we don't have any of those DCs on the Cardinals staff.

 

[Chopper0080]

People need to get over the “he’s Simmons 2.0!!!!!! Never ever draft a hybrid-player again in human history!!!”

There is a major difference between being versatile or being homeless. Simmons was homeless. Reese has a clearly defined role and the ability to cover a few positions.

Again, there is nothing clearly defined by how he was used at Ohio St other than a lot of off-ball LB.

 

[Chopper0080]

You players like Peterson,Sanders,Barkley etc shouldnt be drafted early just because of their position?

How did Barkley change the Giants?

 

[Chopper0080]

Ever have a back injury?
I have.
The simple fact that it needed to be re-checked is a red flag.
The kid is 20 nothing...back injuries never fully go away.

This is a misinformed take. He didn't require surgery (no report). He just finished an extended college football playoff run.

 

[Chopper0080]

And just to be clear...I don't have a strong preference between Reese and Mauigoa. For me, they both trail after Bailey, and I think I would prefer both over Love at 3. That said, I think Mauigoa could be the odd one out if the Cardinals stay at 3.

 

[HairZach]

I think there is a lot of stretching going on here. No one even knows if Rallis will be the DC after this year. He wasn't able to do anything with Simmons and they have done a little hybrid work with Collins but it hasn't resulted in much. Mostly he just plays less now. So, there has not been a history of making the best use of "hybrid" players. Also, as recent as last year, people complained that Rallis's scheme and blitz packages were very predictable and basic.

There is an argument to draft Reese, but some of what you are saying is what other teams with more proven DCs have done with hybrid players when we don't have any of those DCs on the Cardinals staff.

Tbf no one has been able to do anything with Simmons. He's available on the Panthers practice squad for any team that wants to claim him.

Reese being a linebacker that can play both inside and out is different than Simmons genuinely not having a real position.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Not necessarily. He never fully carried a load. Can he handle the burden of 20+ touches a game over 17 weeks?

Highly drafted backs usually have more touches in their college career because they've proven they can be workhorses.

NFL workhorse RB's are a thing of the past. Only 3 players in the league had over 21 touches a game. Love having 17-20 would be fine.
Gibbs was at 19 and Bijan at 21.5. Those are his main comps.
I realize that is why RB's are a bit devalued but having a homerun threat on 20 touches a game is very valuable and opens up other phases of the offense.
7 of the top 10 RB's in touches were in the playoffs and the 3 that weren't, Achane, Bijan, and Jeanty had miserable QB play.

 

[Chopper0080]

Tbf no one has been able to do anything with Simmons. He's available on the Panthers practice squad for any team that wants to claim him.

Reese being a linebacker that can play both inside and out is different than Simmons genuinely not having a real position.

In theory, but in theory Simmons was supposed to be a good hybrid player as well. Turns out, a lot of people were wrong. The point is that the Cardinals have been very poor with hybrid players over several years as well as with this current GM and DC.

The argument that Reese can always fall back on being an off ball LB is worse than the argument that Mauigoa can always fall back on being an OG.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

In theory, but in theory Simmons was supposed to be a good hybrid player as well. Turns out, a lot of people were wrong. The point is that the Cardinals have been very poor with hybrid players over several years as well as with this current GM and DC.

The argument that Reese can always fall back on being an off ball LB is worse than the argument that Mauigoa can always fall back on being an OG.

Well put

We just seem to find the square players and try to put them in a round hole

Unsuccessfully twice now

We can't afford to try it again

Need to go in a different direction

 

[Stout]

Tbf no one has been able to do anything with Simmons. He's available on the Panthers practice squad for any team that wants to claim him.

Reese being a linebacker that can play both inside and out is different than Simmons genuinely not having a real position.

This is pure projection and not fact. If you want to play that game, then you can go back and read what Simmons could do before he was drafted. Which was a lot. But then he got drafted and couldn't do them. Reese being able to do them in college (but really, not the whole season) becomes mere projection when looking at what his pro career might or might easily not be.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

How did Barkley change the Giants?

How did he change Philly?

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

In theory, but in theory Simmons was supposed to be a good hybrid player as well. Turns out, a lot of people were wrong. The point is that the Cardinals have been very poor with hybrid players over several years as well as with this current GM and DC.

The argument that Reese can always fall back on being an off ball LB is worse than the argument that Mauigoa can always fall back on being an OG.

I agree on Reese. He probably has the highest ceiling but is a gamble.
He's a better prospect than Bailey just because of his size and athleticism.
Bailey was more productive but played in a crappy conference and, like Reese is a 1 year wonder.
I'd probably choose Reese over Bailey just because of ceiling but it's a coin toss.
I'd rather take Love over both. Love changes the offensive dynamic from day 1.

 

[Krangodnzr]

NFL workhorse RB's are a thing of the past. Only 3 players in the league had over 21 touches a game. Love having 17-20 would be fine.
Gibbs was at 19 and Bijan at 21.5. Those are his main comps.
I realize that is why RB's are a bit devalued but having a homerun threat on 20 touches a game is very valuable and opens up other phases of the offense.
7 of the top 10 RB's in touches were in the playoffs and the 3 that weren't, Achane, Bijan, and Jeanty had miserable QB play.

I don't disagree with what you are saying, but how is he going to be effective with the right side of the offensive line that features maybe Isaiah Adams and Elijah Wilkerson? Also, Froholdt took a significant step back, so the possibility of three OL positions performing below (or well below) league average makes drafting an RB look....frankly.....foolhardy

 

[Krangodnzr]

How did he change Philly?

He played fairly well with an OL....pretty poorly with OLs that are probably still better than what the Cardinals will field in 2026.

 

[Krangodnzr]

This is pure projection and not fact. If you want to play that game, then you can go back and read what Simmons could do before he was drafted. Which was a lot. But then he got drafted and couldn't do them. Reese being able to do them in college (but really, not the whole season) becomes mere projection when looking at what his pro career might or might easily not be.

Yeah, I learned with Reddick that ILB is actually quite a bit different than OLB. I agree here, you're essentially going to gamble on Reese's ridiculous traits transferring over.

It's essentially the Micah Parsons route, and Reese is considered a superior prospect to what Parsons was coming out. He's better at taking on blocks and is longer and younger than Parsons was.

 

[DVontel]

I’m convinced it will be Will Anderson all over again if we trade out of Arvell Reese just to draft some RT.

 

[oaken1]

This is a misinformed take. He didn't require surgery (no report). He just finished an extended college football playoff run.

Incorrect.
My back didn't require surgery at the time either. Yet it still got continually worse as the years progressed. Often being totally debilitating.
The things your body does naturally to protect itself when your back issue is flaring wear down other parts of your spine causing new issues.
Then the cycle continues. Snow balls. Escalates.
It all starts with that first issue. Strained muscle..slipped disc...that does not require surgery.

You sir, have a misinformed take.

 

[Chopper0080]

How did he change Philly?

Not the team that drafted him. When the Cardinals have a good roster and can justify signing a vet FA RB, we can talk then.

 

[Chopper0080]

Incorrect.
My back didn't require surgery at the time either. Yet it still got continually worse as the years progressed. Often being totally debilitating.
The things your body does naturally to protect itself when your back issue is flaring wear down other parts of your spine causing new issues.
Then the cycle continues. Snow balls. Escalates.
It all starts with that first issue. Strained muscle..slipped disc...that does not require surgery.

You sir, have a misinformed take.

You are projecting your situation onto a player without a history of back injuries who just had a combine recheck that showed he was fine. Yours is a bad take.