The New York Giants shocked the world -- and themselves -- when they took Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese fifth overall in the 2026 Draft. While Reese warranted the pick and then some, there was a general consensus he'd be off the board well before Big Blue was on the clock.
Luckily for the Giants -- and unluckily for everyone else -- he was there at No. 5, making it an easy decision for Big Blue to secure its next defensive demon. That immediately set the tone for what kind of draft it was going to be for New York, but it seems like their division rivals got some of that luck by association.
The Dallas Cowboys somehow had a strong draft, too, headlined by their two stud defenders taken in the first round. Both Caleb Downs (Ohio State, safety) and Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, UCF) are going to be key pieces in new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s defense, but neither of them is the prospect Giants fans should be the most worried about. No -- that title belongs to their second-round pick, Jaishawn Barham.
Cowboys may have found their version of Arvell Reese in Jaishawn Barham
The best compliment, that's more backhanded than intended, is that Barham is essentially store-brand Arvell Reese. But the 22-year-old has the potential to become something dangerous as a raw, developmental prospect with seemingly unlimited upside and a crazy amount of athletic traits.
The danger of Barham lies in his role as a downhill disruptor within Parker’s aggressive system. He functions as a heat-seeking missile designed to penetrate gaps and blow up plays before they develop.
This playstyle puts immense pressure on the Giants’ offensive line to hold it together for all four quarters. A split second of hesitation will give Barham the opening he needs to use that explosive first step and collapse the pocket.
His development path also suggests he will be a much more dangerous player by the second half of the season. He is currently winning on pure physical dominance and a relentless motor. NFL coaching will eventually refine those raw traits into a professional pass-rush plan.
And once he learns to pair his natural speed and power with some zesty moves and technique, he's all but guaranteed to become a nightmare, much like Reese in East Rutherford. And here I was celebrating the Micah Parsons trade.
Watching Barham and Reese operate on opposite sides of the field will be a primary storyline for years to come. Dallas clearly prioritized high-upside athleticism to counter the Giants' up-and-coming offensive line. This pick ensures that the battle for NFC East supremacy remains a brutal, defensive-led grind every time these two teams meet.
This is when I remind myself that Big Blue took Francis Mauigoa 10th overall to combat guys exactly like Barham. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound offensive lineman is built to block undersized pass-rushers into oblivion or die trying. Fingers crossed that's exactly how it goes, because this guy has the makings of being bad news.
Add us as a preferred source on Google