The New York Giants didn't expect linebacker Arvell Reese to fall into their laps at No. 5 in the 2026 NFL Draft. They aren't complaining, though.
The rookie has unreal talent, and he's already making a splash in training camp. In a recent article setting year-one expectations for every first-round pick from this year's class, Nick Baumgardner of the Athletic called Reese "arguably the most talented rookie in this class."
Baumgardner said that Reese should become a playmaker in New York's defense early on in his rookie year. That's a tall order, especially at a position that typically takes time to grow into, but the Giants' rookie is more than ready for it.
Arvell Reese has the tools to exceed Giants expectations in 2026
Reese is expected to begin the season as Big Blue's starting inside linebacker, next to veteran Tremaine Edmunds. The rookie split his time at Ohio State almost evenly between the off-ball linebacker and edge rusher positions. Draft analysts expected him to move to the edge full-time, but New York's existing abundance there made off-ball linebacker a more natural fit.
Still, he'll be moved around the formation. Soon after the draft, head coach John Harbaugh said, "Arvell is a versatile player, and we're going to play him at inside backer, Will linebacker. Our defense is pretty flexible, position-less, you might call it. We'll have an opportunity to move those guys around. But he'll line up next to Tremaine, and he'll be in the A gap, the B gap, the C gap, the D gap, off the edge. He'll be moving around with all of our guys."
Reese will be put in positions to make plays, just as Baumgardner anticipates. He thrives when moving toward the football, so defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson could get creative with his usage.
In early training camp practices, the linebacker has been turning heads. After the first padded practice of camp, The Athletic's Dan Duggan called Reese a clear standout. Duggan said, "He was all over the field today. Could really see his potential impact in the most physical practice of camp."
A player of Reese's athletic potential doesn't need to be tied down to a specific position. He has the tools to win wherever he's lined up, whether on the line of scrimmage or as a roaming linebacker.
In that versatile role, it's easy to picture the rookie posting more than 100 tackles this season, following a production path similar to Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, last season's Defensive Rookie of the Year.
It looks like the Giants already have a star in the making.
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