Arvell Reese has been the subject of positional controversy since long before the New York Giants drafted him fifth overall. Is he an off-ball linebacker or an edge rusher? The question consumed draft show oxygen more than any other during the pre-draft process.
The Giants made their stance clear immediately after picking the former Ohio State defender. He's an off-ball linebacker. Or at least, he was until he needed to be something else.
Now that Brian Burns is set to miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, the G-Men are open to unlocking Reese's edge-rushing abilities a bit more.
Wilson told reporters, "Yeah, we can move him around a little bit, put him on the line of scrimmage, but we'll see where it goes. We have other guys that will step up with the absence of Brian, and we know what Arvell can do on the ball and off the ball. So, it's just trying to get him favorable matchups and put him in a position to have success."
Brian Burns injury puts Giants rookie Arvell Reese's versatility to the test
So far, only 30 of Reese's 177 defensive snaps have come on the line of scrimmage. Only 18 of them have been pass-rush attempts. Instead of focusing on using his raw athleticism to get after the quarterback, Wilson has elected to put him in the middle of the defense as a roving sideline-to-sideline backer.
It's been working. Reese has been excellent through three games, totaling 25 tackles and two tackles for loss. He has grown each week, capping off his strong early start with a fantastic performance against the Tennessee Titans.
But the Giants are too short on edge defenders to keep Reese at off-ball linebacker. It's Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Jihad Ward. That's it.
Reese's draft classmate, Jack Kelly, can play on the edge a bit himself. Still, the first-rounder will likely take on more of the load.
Arvell Reese can prove Giants right with a breakout performance against the Cardinals
Wilson's decision can be immediately validated this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals' offensive line is vulnerable to talented pass rushes, already allowing 35 pressures this season.
Right tackle Elijah Wilkinson is especially gettable. He has held up to some extent this season, but his stretch with the Atlanta Falcons was forgettable at best. Last week, he allowed three pressures and a sack to the San Francisco 49ers.
Reese won't switch to the edge on a full-time basis. He's still the team's starting off-ball linebacker next to Tremaine Edmunds. But if he gets more snaps on the defensive line, especially on third downs when he can focus on rushing the passer, he could thrive against the Cardinals.
The Giants need him to bring some juice to the pass rush. They've only produced one sack in 2026, ranking 31st in the league. With another explosive presence on the edge, that could finally change.
Add us as a preferred source on Google