If they stick top three, then it is about finding, as both Jeremiah and Brugler said, what flavor they want.
Bailey, 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, had 14½ sacks last season and is all about speed. Reese, 6-4 and 240, is a projection on the edge, holding perhaps the best tools but having played off the ball more often for the Buckeyes. Bain will end up measuring with shorter arms and is more compact at 6-3 and 270 pounds, but he had 9½ sacks, is tougher against the run and will war with whatever blocker is in front of him.
Bain also had the best answer why he should be the first of the three chosen.
“Because I’m a monster,” Bain said. “I prep myself in the building day in and day out.”
(All three acknowledged they have met with the Cardinals but that is a given; especially picking this high the Cardinals are going to meet with every one of the top prospects at some point, whether it was the Senior Bowl, here in Indy, or during a 30 visit in Tempe.)
A scan of the analysts, at least here in late February, finds no real consensus on who is on top. Enough searching will find each of the three as the “best” of the three. Jeremiah said there isn’t a Myles Garrett-type available, but in the decision at 3, none of the tackles are Trent Williams either.
Reese, who will need the most development on the edge, said he had “just scratched the surface” of what he can do as a pass rusher. Bain said he doesn’t care where he is picked but guaranteed whoever did would get a great player. Bailey said he just wants to land with a coaching staff that can push him to be great.
All will be gone in the top 10. The Cardinals could end up as a factor in how quickly the trio ultimately is taken, and in what order.
“I don’t really see anybody but me (as the best),” Reese said, “but I ain’t gonna lie, I’m just trying to get better.”