The New York Giants might want to think about sending the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans a thank-you card. Maybe some flowers. A nice fruit basket -- definitely some chocolate-covered strawberries.
Whatever the appropriate gift is for letting a potential defensive superstar fall into your lap with the fifth overall pick.
When the Giants took Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese in the 2026 Draft, there were a lot of questions about his fit, along with plenty of excitement about his undeniable upside. Just eight games into his rookie season, his upside is starting to look like one of the best defensive players in football. Keep in mind he's only 21 years old, which also feels a little unfair.
The New York Jets get a pass here. They took David Bailey second overall, arguably the best pure pass rusher of the class. Fair enough. But Arizona and Tennessee had their chance to take Reese and went in different directions. Now, after watching what he's done through nine weeks, it's fair to wonder whether either struggling team would like a do-over.
Arvell Reese is giving the Cardinals and Titans plenty to think about
Let's start with his ridiculous start. Reese has 68 tackles, 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, an interception, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble. He's the only player in the NFL this season with at least 65 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and a pick. Specific, but pretty awesome nonetheless.
Then came Sunday's 19-11 Week 9 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, when Reese went nuclear, recording 12 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. He became the youngest player in NFL history to record three sacks in a game.
The Cardinals took Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick. The Titans selected Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. And while neither player deserves to be written off half a season into their young careers, the early returns make the decisions worth another look.
Love has 268 rushing yards on 3.5 yards per carry in six games and is currently on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain. Meanwhile, Arizona's defense is allowing 28.3 points per game, second-worst in the league behind only the Las Vegas Raiders. You don't need to be an NFL general manager to see how a defensive demon who can seemingly do it all might help just a little bit.
Tennessee is a little different. Tate has looked really good so far, with 34 catches for 413 yards through seven games, already looking like Cam Ward's No. 1 receiver. Giving a young quarterback a reliable target is hardly a draft-day crime, and Tate has done plenty to justify being the fourth pick.
Reese already got the chance to show both teams what they missed out on, with the Giants winning both games. He racked up 13 tackles against Tennessee in Week 3, then followed that up with nine tackles, three pass breakups, and an interception against Arizona in Week 4. Apparently, he took the whole getting-passed-over thing personally.
We've still got a long way to go before anyone can declare a winner or loser from the 2026 Draft. Love could become a star, and Tate looks well on his way. But if Reese keeps playing the way he has, the Cards and Titans might spend the next decade-plus doing a lot of self-reflection. And Giants fans will be perfectly happy to let them.
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