In more proof that 2026 is flying by, it’s already been well over a month since the New York Giants drafted Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese.
Much of the pre-draft process speculation involved whether the Jets, who held the No. 2 pick, would take Reese or Texas Tech standout David Bailey. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton believes the Jets made the right move, naming the Bailey pick among his top-25 offseason moves.
“After trading Jermaine Johnson II to the Tennessee Titans, Gang Green made the right move to fill a void in its pass rush rather than figure out where Reese would fit in the defense,” Moton wrote.
The Giants’ decision to hire John Harbaugh ranked among Moton’s top 5 moves. He also included the Isaiah Likely signing in the “best value acquisitions” tier.
The David Bailey vs. Arvell Reese debate remains extremely intriguing
Moton’s reasoning is fair, and many — including Malik Nabers — immediately questioned where Reese fit on a Giants defense loaded with young edge rushers.
Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen immediately clarified on draft night that they intend to play Reese as an inside linebacker.
Abdul Carter and Brian Burns remain the starting edge rushers, and Kayvon Thibodeaux is currently working with the second-string defense. There is no indication the Giants intend to trade Thibodeaux ahead of training camp.
When factoring in the context, then it’s incredibly fair to say that the Jets were correct to take the chance on Bailey.
The Bailey vs. Reese debate isn’t as simple as Peyton Manning vs. Ryan Leaf or Eli Manning vs. Philip Rivers — and, no, because neither Bailey nor Reese is a quarterback.
As Moton pointed out, Aaron Glenn and the Jets didn’t need to sit and evaluate whether Reese was better off as an edge rusher or at linebacker.
Instead, they felt Bailey could immediately step in and start on the edge. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they viewed Bailey as a far superior option so much as it does that he met their needs.
That distinction is critical, and it’s one to keep in mind when comparing Bailey and Reese.
Regardless, the Giants should be ecstatic that they landed Reese, who will start next to Tremaine Edmunds.
With respect to Jaxson Dart and the retooled offense, the Giants will only go as far as their defense will take them.
Brian Burns is coming off an All-Pro season, and Carter graded far better analytically than his four sacks would initially indicate. Reese and Edmunds are tasked with providing needed stability on the inside.
Reese has a long way to go before he overtakes Bailey in the court of opinion, though. Bailey and Buccaneers edge rusher Rueben Bain are the consensus Defensive Rookie of the Year favorites.
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