NFL Coaches, Execs Dish on Arvell Reese vs. David Bailey & Caleb Downs vs. Dillon Thieneman Debates

One of the interesting NFL draft debates ahead of Thursday's first round will be which edge-rusher should come off the board first between Ohio State's Arvell Reese and Texas Tech's David Bailey.

But Bruce Feldman of The Athletic reported that three of the four defensive line coaches he spoke to preferred Reese.

"He is the best of the bunch," one said. "He has everything: The violence, the power, the strike, the length, the bend, the acceleration. His pro day was so impressive. He's the best defensive player for sure. He's the best edge defender I've seen in a few years. I'm not sure about pure pass rush, but edge defender, yes."

"I think he's the best," another D-line coach added. "He's pretty dynamic, but I'd just put him at one position and let him be. Learn it. Watch his film; it's a lot of off-ball. When you come into the league, you gotta have clean eyes right away."

The edge position is considered the strongest in this year's draft class, though safety has plenty of intriguing options as well, headlined by Ohio State's Caleb Downs, a potential top-10 pick. But some evaluators believe Oregon's Dillon Thieneman is just as good, if not better.

"I would take Thieneman over Downs," a defensive backs coach told Feldman. "Thieneman is one of the more versatile safeties I've seen come out in the last few years. I feel good about him in the deep part of the field, about him in and around the box and about him in coverage, especially from a safeties standpoint. I loved the movement skills from him at the combine. He looked really fluid and loose. There's a lot to like with him."

An NFL personnel director still had Downs as his top option at the position, however.

"I think he's a three-level player," he told Feldman. "He's just not that long, and his speed is good but not elite. I think he's a mix between Budda Baker and Minkah Fitzpatrick. I think he's worthy of being a top-10 pick. He can play nickel, play strong, blitz."

The B/R NFL Scouting Department ranked Downs as the top overall player in this draft class on its final big board, while Thieneman ranked No. 18 overall and was the No. 2 safety.