There hasn't been much to work with in terms of assessing the 2026 crop of rookies thus far without pads or live contact. Arvell Reese has still found a way to turn heads in his early goings with the New York Giants, though.
Reese reportedly already sticks out amongst veterans — literally. His elite scouting profile lends itself well to being a Day 1 contributor with tantalizing long-term upside. He's been a professional football player for barely a couple of months and "looks the part," per Jordan Raanan on ESPN.
At this rate, Giants fans may have a franchise centerpiece on their hands sooner rather than later. Raanan noted how Reese's remarkable stature and athleticism have quickly become evident, even at this stage of the offseason. The first glimpses of this year's No. 5 overall pick highlight exactly what makes him arguably the most toolsy defender of the incoming draft class.
"Even on an NFL field, [Reese] stands out physically with his size (6-foot-4, 241 pounds), especially at inside linebacker where he's playing," Raanan wrote. "The Ohio State product impressed with his ability to cover and run with running backs. ... The Giants were also happy with how Reese handled the mental aspect of the spring."
Arvell Reese needed no time to get New York Giants fans fired up
Again, we cannot overreact to Reese shining at organized team activities (OTAs). How he fares when everyone can take and deliver hits will be infinitely more telling. His eye-popping frame and speed, plus football IQ, are traits that can be touted at any time regardless of the practice environment (or lack thereof).
Not only has Reese drawn the media's attention, but he's also caught All-Pro pass-rushing teammate Brian Burns' eye. The latter was "surprised" by the former's unique knack for keeping pace with running backs, according to Raanan.
Moreover, Reese appears to be picking up the playbook as fast as he can chase opposing tailbacks out of the backfield. His cerebral nature and versatility have been on display in a limited setting; that's all Big Blue Nation can ask for at the moment.
Expectations were already sky-high for Reese coming out of the gates. The G-Men have shown us they are prepared to give him every opportunity to succeed heading into his inaugural pro campaign. He has astronomical long-term upside, and the signs continue to point toward him being an instant difference-maker.
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