NFL · 22 hours ago

NFL Draft: 3 Potential 1st Round Busts Headlined by Arvell Reese

Bo Marchionte

Host · Writer

Can't Miss is Rarer Than You Think
Thursday night arrives with its usual rush of anticipation. When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell steps to the podium, often greeted by a familiar chorus of boos, you know the draft is officially underway.

This is where everything changes. Front offices either validate months or even years of scouting work, or they begin to feel the consequences of misreading traits, projection, and fit. Fortunes can shift in a single pick. From the opening selection in Round One to pick No. 257 when the final name is called in the 2026 NFL Draft, stars can emerge from anywhere. At the same time, highly touted prospects can stall out just as quickly, never quite becoming the player teams envisioned on draft night.

That brings us to the three prospects I’ve highlighted. Make no mistake, the talent is there. Each brings traits, flashes, and moments that suggest they belong at the next level. And to be clear, I want them to succeed. That’s always the goal when evaluating these players who have put in years of work to reach this stage.

But evaluation requires honesty.

There are areas in each of their games that give pause, details that matter when the margin for error disappears on Sundays. The purpose here isn’t to tear down, but to balance the conversation. Too often, momentum builds, and a group-think “can’t-miss” label gets attached far too quickly, almost as if the path to Canton is already paved.

It’s not.

Scouting is a mix of conviction and caution. There will be hits. There will be misses. The key is recognizing both and understanding that potential is only part of the story.

It’s an educated guess. One perspective that others may not agree with. And in the world of the internet, where comment sections live beneath pieces like this, it’s enough to have even my own mother using every expletive in the book to question my character.

We'd love to hear what you think about the three prospects! Who are your boom-or-busts for the 2026 NFL Draft?
2026 NFL Draft: Boom or Bust
The NFL Draft is a beautiful event. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes the shiny, eye-catching prospects end up being something not-so-beautiful once they reach the NFL.

That’s the reality for every personnel department in the league. And while there are many well-trained scouting eyes, no one truly knows if a pick will become everything they hoped for or more. That’s where the “boom or bust” label comes into play. It has become the measuring stick for high-profile picks and often defines how their careers are ultimately remembered.

In 2007, the Oakland Raiders selected JaMarcus Russell with the first overall pick. He finished his career with 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions over three seasons in the National Football League. Even his biggest critics couldn’t have imagined that level of implosion. With that kind of skill set, many assumed that even the cannon-armed quarterback didn't reach his full potential as a star, that at the very least, a long NFL career was inevitable. After all, watching Russell throw the football in shorts against no defense was a thing of beauty.

So, as you read this article, understand this.

I’m not predicting the kind of disastrous outcome Russell experienced from 2007–09. I’m simply raising concerns about where certain prospects currently stand and whether their perceived trajectory will come to blossom into the Hall of Fame stardom predicted.
1) Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
At 6-foot-4, 238 pounds, Arvell Reese brings the type of length, range, and athletic profile NFL teams covet in today’s linebackers. Built for space, Reese shows the ability to flow sideline-to-sideline, close quickly on ball carriers, and hold up in coverage against modern spread offenses. His frame and movement skills give him clear three-down potential at the next level.

Where Reese becomes a true boom-or-bust prospect is in the details. While the physical traits are evident, what immediately comes to mind is what happens in the trenches. In the opening game against Texas, you see him get pushed off the ball and contained repeatedly. Twice, as Arch Manning escaped the pocket, Reese was in position to make the tackle but just missed. An elite defender in pursuit should have made those plays.

Listen, he’s one hell of a football player. But as I’ve repeatedly watched his tape, it’s the “What am I not seeing here?” that others are. It’s a little scary, to be honest, when everyone is all-in, and you feel slightly hesitant to fasten in and buckle up.

Two players come to mind when I watch Reese, and both were considered can’t-miss prospects coming out of college. LSU’s Barkevious Mingo was the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Nearly identical in size, 6’4”, 241 pounds, Mingo ran a 4.58 at the NFL Combine, while Reese blazed a 4.46.

Mingo spent nine years in the league as a journeyman, playing for seven different teams. When the Cleveland Browns selected him sixth overall, they surely believed they had landed the pass-rushing presence they coveted.

Another prospect who compares favorably to Reese is Isaiah Simmons, who measured 6-foot-4, 238 pounds and ran a 4.39 at the 2020 NFL Combine. He was selected eighth overall by the Arizona Cardinals. This is one of those times I was certain a player was a can’t-miss.

I was wrong about the elite ability that could have pushed Simmons into the rare company of some of the league’s all-time great defenders. That’s the space Reese currently occupies. He possesses so much raw ability, it’s hard to think otherwise.

There’s little question about his speed and athleticism; it’s obvious when he’s asked to use it. He shows good burst, and I love his ability to close on the ball when the timing is right. I just have concerns about his size and overall strength. He needs a clean path to football.

If everything clicks, Reese has the upside to become a rangy, impact linebacker who can stay on the field in all situations. If not, he risks becoming a rotational defender, limited to sub-packages and special teams.

Arvell Reese’s Boom/Busts Comps
- Boom: A mixture of Fred Warner and Micah Parsons
- Bust: Barkevious Mingo or Isaiah Simmons
Arvell Reese’s Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'4"
- Weight: 241 lbs.
- Hand: 9 1/2"
- Arm: 32 1/2"
Arvell Reese’s Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.46
- 10-Yard Split: 1.58
- Vertical Jump: N/A
- Broad Jump: N/A
- 3-Cone Drill: N/A
- 20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
2) Kaydn Proctor, OL, Alabama
He’s a rare blend of mass and movement, the kind of offensive tackle prospect that immediately checks the NFL’s prototype boxes. When Kadyn Proctor is right, he’s dominant. His sheer size engulfs defenders, and once he gets his hands locked in, reps are essentially over. In the run game, he can collapse an edge or cave in a defensive front with raw power, creating lanes that don’t just open, they widen.

There’s also surprising lightness in his feet for a man his size, allowing him to mirror speed rushers better than most tackles built like him.

That said, the same size that makes him special can also present limitations. Bigger bodies come with leverage challenges, and Proctor can play too tall at times, allowing defenders to get underneath his pads and disrupt his balance.

His weight distribution and conditioning will always be under the microscope, especially at the next level, where edge rushers are faster, more refined, and relentless over four quarters. There are stretches on tape where his footwork can get heavy, and when that happens, speed-to-power rushers can stress him.

The ceiling is undeniable. Proctor has the traits of a long-term NFL starter with Pro Bowl upside. But like many massive tackles before him, the difference between good and great will come down to technique, pad level, and maintaining consistency snap after snap.

The comparison to use is Mekhi Becton, selected 11^th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. While he failed at offensive tackle, his rebirth came in Philadelphia with the Eagles at guard, where he turned into a Super Bowl champion and earned a new contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Kadyn Proctor’s Boom/Busts Comps
- Boom: Orlando Brown
- Bust: Mekhi Becton
Kadyn Proctor’s Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'6" 5/8”
- Weight: 352 lbs.
- Hand: 9 3/4"
- Arm: 33 3/8"
Kadyn Proctor’s Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 5.21
- 10-Yard Split: 1.84
- Vertical Jump: 32.5”
- Broad Jump: 9’1”
- 3-Cone Drill: N/A
- 20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
3) Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Avieon Terrell brings it. That is the first thing that jumps off the page and the first thing that shows up on tape. The Clemson Tigers defensive back plays with energy, edge, and the kind of urgency that gives his snaps life.

He puts some real pop into his movement, especially when he dips his shoulder and drives through route work. However, other times, another player arrives at the point of contact with softness that makes you cringe.

There is a competitive feeling to the way he plays, and that alone gives him a chance to carve out a role at the next level. Physically, Terrell checked in at 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, adding a 34-inch vertical and a 10-foot-3 broad jump. He looks wiry, but there is a twitch and spring in the frame.

The evaluation, though, is not without concern. There are snaps where Terrell can lose space in the route, and at times, he cushions wide receivers too much. A little disturbing to be honest.

Rather than consistently dictating terms, he can look like he is playing to prevent the big play instead of fully attacking the rep. That shows up even more when the ball arrives. Too often, he touches the ball more than he truly plays through it, and that can be the difference between a pass breakup and a completion.

Still, Terrell is the kind of prospect coaches will like; he is competitive, athletic, and willing. Clean up the spacing, trust the technique, and there is something to work with.

Avieon Terrell’s Boom/Busts Comps
- Boom: Asante Samuel Jr.
- Bust: Artie Burns
Avieon Terrell’s Combine Measurements
- Height: 5’10 ¾”
- Weight: 186 lbs.
- Hand: 8 5/8”
- Arm: 31
Avieon Terrell’s Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: N/A
- 10-Yard Split: N/A
- Vertical Jump: 34”
- Broad Jump: 10’3”
- 3-Cone Drill: N/A
- 20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
- Bench Press: 17 Reps
Can't Miss is Rarer Than You Think
Thursday night arrives with its usual rush of anticipation. When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell steps to the podium, often greeted by a familiar chorus of boos, you know the draft is officially underway.

This is where everything changes. Front offices either validate months or even years of scouting work, or they begin to feel the consequences of misreading traits, projection, and fit. Fortunes can shift in a single pick. From the opening selection in Round One to pick No. 257 when the final name is called in the 2026 NFL Draft, stars can emerge from anywhere. At the same time, highly touted prospects can stall out just as quickly, never quite becoming the player teams envisioned on draft night.

That brings us to the three prospects I’ve highlighted. Make no mistake, the talent is there. Each brings traits, flashes, and moments that suggest they belong at the next level. And to be clear, I want them to succeed. That’s always the goal when evaluating these players who have put in years of work to reach this stage.

But evaluation requires honesty.

There are areas in each of their games that give pause, details that matter when the margin for error disappears on Sundays. The purpose here isn’t to tear down, but to balance the conversation. Too often, momentum builds, and a group-think “can’t-miss” label gets attached far too quickly, almost as if the path to Canton is already paved.

It’s not.

Scouting is a mix of conviction and caution. There will be hits. There will be misses. The key is recognizing both and understanding that potential is only part of the story.

It’s an educated guess. One perspective that others may not agree with. And in the world of the internet, where comment sections live beneath pieces like this, it’s enough to have even my own mother using every expletive in the book to question my character.

We'd love to hear what you think about the three prospects! Who are your boom-or-busts for the 2026 NFL Draft?
2026 NFL Draft: Boom or Bust
The NFL Draft is a beautiful event. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes the shiny, eye-catching prospects end up being something not-so-beautiful once they reach the NFL.

That’s the reality for every personnel department in the league. And while there are many well-trained scouting eyes, no one truly knows if a pick will become everything they hoped for or more. That’s where the “boom or bust” label comes into play. It has become the measuring stick for high-profile picks and often defines how their careers are ultimately remembered.

In 2007, the Oakland Raiders selected JaMarcus Russell with the first overall pick. He finished his career with 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions over three seasons in the National Football League. Even his biggest critics couldn’t have imagined that level of implosion. With that kind of skill set, many assumed that even the cannon-armed quarterback didn't reach his full potential as a star, that at the very least, a long NFL career was inevitable. After all, watching Russell throw the football in shorts against no defense was a thing of beauty.

So, as you read this article, understand this.

I’m not predicting the kind of disastrous outcome Russell experienced from 2007–09. I’m simply raising concerns about where certain prospects currently stand and whether their perceived trajectory will come to blossom into the Hall of Fame stardom predicted.