By DREW BEATTY, film analyst
After the rise to stardom of now Packers’ edge rusher Micah Parsons, the phenomenon of “hybrid” linebacker-to-edge rusher converts has become a prevalent archetype in modern NFL defenses. Even just last year, two linebacker/edge rusher hybrids in Jalon Walker and Abdul Carter went in the top-half of the first-round of the NFL Draft (one of which in the top-three).
In addition to the aforementioned players, the Tennessee Titans took a shot of their own on UCLA edge convert Oluwafemi Oladejo. Even after spending a second-round pick on Oladejo, Tennessee still has a dangerously barren pass rushing unit, and is poised to take another swing on drafting an edge rusher with their upcoming top-five draft pick.
The 2026 draft class’ issuance of this “hybrid” paradigm is Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. On only 119 pass rushing snaps in 2026, Reese put 27 pressures and eight sacks on the statsheet (per PFF). While many in the media have voiced concern about his drop off in production as the year went on, Reese’s deployment became much less conducive to pass rush production as Ohio State’s season progressed.
