When the New York Giants signed Tremaine Edmunds to a three-year, $36 million contract in free agency, they knew they were getting a 6-foot-5, 250-pound unit to anchor the middle of the defense. What they didn't fully realize, however, was that they were also getting the perfect mentor for the crown jewel of the 2026 NFL Draft.
But Edmunds is becoming so much more than a linebacker -- he might’ve also walked into the perfect situation to help fast-track the development of the Giants’ top pick. Enter Arvell Reese.
With mandatory minicamp wrapped up, it's onto training camp. The early bond between Edmunds and Reese has already taken center stage, and it’s already pretty clear what the plan is. New York selected the 20-year-old linebacker fifth overall in the 2026 Draft. He's a defensive demon just oozing potential.
That's why having a nine-year veteran with two Pro Bowl nods under his belt -- who also entered the league at 20 -- help mold him into Big Blue's next defensive cornerstone is so objectively awesome.
Tremaine Edmunds could just be Arvell Reese's personal launchpad
The 28-year-old is taking Reese's development seriously. It's not just about how big and fast and physical the rookie can be. Edmunds understands that in order for Reese to be successful, and become a future All-Pro monster who terrorizes the NFL long after Edmunds hangs up his cleats, he has to master the mental side of the game. And that starts with being more talkative.
Reese shed light on what the vet has been teaching him during minicamp -- and it's a familiar one for all those married couples out there:
"He's been on me about communicating every play, so that's how we do every play, we're making sure we're talking to each other."
Edmunds has the "green dot" duties, and his work with Reese goes a long way toward locking in the first-team unit heading into camp. New defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson’s scheme relies on guys who can make adjustments on the fly and subsequently relay them to the team. Edmunds is just fast-tracking the rookie to master that right now so there aren't any hiccups come Week 1.
Not everyone’s benefiting from this setup. Micah McFadden now faces an uphill battle for playing time with the top two roles locked down. The 26-year-old now projects more as a luxury depth piece rather than anything else.
The battle for the remaining depth will only get harder. Sixth-round rookie Jack Kelly generated buzz during OTAs with his underrated athleticism and natural feel in the middle. Meanwhile, Darius Muasau will have to fight like hell through training camp just to sniff a spot on the final 53-man roster.
Edmunds’ demand for non-stop communication sounds a bit clingy, but it's all about fast-tracking Reese's development. The Giants have been starved for an elite leader in the middle of their defense, but if Edmunds has his way with Reese, he'll turn his young apprentice into exactly what this defense has been missing for a long time.
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