As the dog days of summer are right around the corner, we turn our attention to the rookie draft class and what fans should expect from each one.
Expectations will be higher depending on the player and position, but with the roster overhaul the Giants had, in addition to the quality of this year's class, it’s not hard to find yourself overwhelmed with anticipation for such a talented group (on paper).
Enter rookie linebacker/edge Arvell Reese who already has all eyes on him and has big shoes to fill.
Even though he was drafted under the “edge” position, Reese will be the starting inside linebacker for the Giants next season right alongside new linebacker signing Tremaine Edmunds. Reese will have heavy expectations as the top-ranked defensive player in the draft.
Teams had him listed as a pass-rusher, but he’s no stranger to the middle of the defense. The former Ohio State star played 286 snaps as an off-ball backer last season. He's widely considered the best linebacker in this rookie class. As an added bonus, Reese also played 34 snaps over the slot receiver. Basically, he can do anything and everything.
Where Reese will really help out is in the run game. He can diagnose a play, get downhill quickly, and blow it up with his unicorn-esque size/speed combo.
The Giants are giving Arvell Reese every opportunity to succeed
With potentially the best linebacker room the G-Men have had in a long time, and arguably their best overall defense in years, it’s easy to get excited about what this new unit under aggressive first-year defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson can do.
You’re talking about press-man corners, including the additions of Colton Hood via the draft and free agent Greg Newsome, and a front seven that includes Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Reese, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edmunds, and big veteran space-eaters like D.J. Reader, Leki Fotu, and Shelby Harris.
Reese rushing off the same side as Carter or Burns, or coming free on a blitz thanks to Reader eating a double-team, sounds like nightmares for opposing quarterbacks -- the team and fan base alike are here for all of it.
The 20-year-old will make mistakes, like everyone does, but he's stepping into a revamped and hungry defense ready to dominate.
Reese will have several chances to make plays this upcoming season, and if he's anything like he was at OSU, he'll turn heads at the next level too. We don't know if he'll be a Pro Bowl level player or a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate this season, but he'll be an instant impact player for the Giants for sure.
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