Saints eye Reese trade

Daniel Jeremiah projects the New Orleans Saints will trade up to No. 3 to select Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese, using a 2027 first-round pick. (nfl.com) Jeremiah published the projection in his final 2026 mock draft on April 22, 2026 and wrote the Cardinals would likely accept an offer of a 2027 first-rounder to move down from No. 3. (nfl.com) The mock lists Reese as an Ohio State LB/edge prospect who developed into a hybrid defender after starting one season for the Buckeyes. (nfl.com) (nfl.com, si.com) Late coverage has compared Reese to Micah Parsons; on March 23, 2026 Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt called Reese “a longer, more physical Micah Parsons.” (si.com) Jeremiah framed the move as the kind of transaction that would cost future draft capital, writing that an offer of a 2027 first-round pick would make it “a tough deal for [the Cardinals] to pass on.” (nfl.com) Jeremiah’s mock also underscores ongoing debate about the top defensive prospects — he had David Bailey at No. 2 and described a Bailey/Reese comparison that figures into team plans, particularly around the Jets and other clubs. (nfl.com) (nfl.com, jetswire.usatoday.com) The projection follows a pattern for New Orleans: Jeremiah noted the Saints have completed 25 draft trades since 2008 and traded up in each of those moves. (nfl.com) Round 1 coverage begins April 23, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network, NFL+, ABC and ESPN; those broadcasts will show whether the Saints actually pay a 2027 first-rounder to move to No. 3. (nfl.com)