New York Giants Select Arvell Reese: 7 Things to Know About the LB

The New York Giants shocked the NFL world on Thursday night. With the sixth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll bypassed a franchise quarterback and a top-tier wide receiver. Instead, they selected Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese. The pick sent draft boards into a tailspin. Reese, a 20-year-old phenom from Cleveland, Ohio, had been mocked as a top-three selection for months. The Giants were rarely in the conversation until the final 48 hours before the clock started. Now, he is the cornerstone of a defensive rebuild in East Rutherford. Here are seven things you must know about the newest Giant.

1. The Rise from Cleveland to Columbus

Arvell Reese’s journey is not a typical five-star fairy tale. He grew up on the east side of Cleveland, a city that breeds toughness. At Glenville High School, he was a two-way star, playing both linebacker and running back. But his recruitment was quiet. He was a three-star prospect who didn’t get his first Power Five offer until late in his junior year. Ohio State took a chance on him as a developmental athlete.

By his sophomore season in Columbus, Reese was a starter. By his junior year, he was the heartbeat of the Buckeyes’ defense. He finished the 2025 season with 112 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. His growth curve is steep, and the Giants are betting he hasn’t hit his ceiling. For a team that has struggled to find a true sideline-to-sideline playmaker since the days of Antonio Pierce, Reese represents a homegrown talent with a chip on his shoulder.

2. Elite Athleticism That Changes the Defense

At the NFL Combine, Reese ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds. That is freakish speed for a linebacker. But the number that had scouts drooling was his 40-inch vertical jump. He moves like a safety in a linebacker’s frame.

This athleticism is why the Giants were willing to take him at No. 6. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen now has a weapon who can cover tight ends, blitz off the edge, and chase down running backs in the flat. In a division that features the Philadelphia Eagles and their explosive rushing attack, Reese’s range is critical. He can erase mistakes. He can run down Saquon Barkley (now in Philadelphia) from the backside. That speed is a rare commodity.

3. Versatility: The Modern NFL Linebacker

Reese is not a one-trick pony. At Ohio State, he played MIKE linebacker in base defense. In nickel packages, he slid to WILL. On third-and-long, the Buckeyes even moved him to the edge as a pass rusher. This versatility is exactly what the Giants need.

The Giants’ defense in 2025 ranked 22nd against the run and 28th in defending tight ends. Reese fixes both issues. He can stack and shed blocks against the Washington Commanders’ power run game. He can also drop into zone coverage and take away the middle of the field against the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing attack. He is a chess piece, not a pawn.

4. The “Final 48 Hours” Smoke Screen

Let’s talk about the draft drama. For three months, analysts had Reese going to either the Tennessee Titans at No. 1 or the Cleveland Browns at No. 2. The Giants were linked to quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders and wide receivers like Tetairoa McMillan. Then, on Tuesday night, reports surfaced that the Giants were “doing heavy work” on Reese. By Wednesday, the chatter was deafening.

This was a calculated move by Schoen. He knew that if he tipped his hand too early, a team like the Washington Commanders (picking at No. 5) could have jumped up to take Reese. Instead, the Giants stayed quiet, let the board fall, and got their man. It was a masterclass in draft-day deception. Reese was the target all along.

5. The Personal Story: Playing for His City

Beyond the stats, Reese brings a compelling narrative. He is from Cleveland, a city that has suffered through decades of sports heartbreak. When he was drafted, he wore a necklace with a picture of his grandfather, who passed away in 2024. His grandfather taught him how to tackle in the backyard.

Reese also carries the weight of his community. He has been open about his childhood living in a single-parent household. His mother, Tanya, worked three jobs to keep him in pads. When he walked across the stage in Detroit, he pointed to the sky. For the Giants, this intangibles matter. In a locker room that needs leadership after the departures of veterans like Xavier McKinney, Reese’s maturity is a bonus. He is a culture-changer.

6. Immediate Impact on the Giants’ Division Rivals

The NFC East is a murderer’s row. The Philadelphia Eagles just added a dynamic running back in the second round. The Washington Commanders have a dual-threat quarterback who loves to scramble. The Dallas Cowboys still have a top-five offense.

Reese is the antidote. In two games against the Eagles last season, Ohio State’s defense gave up over 200 rushing yards per game. Reese was not on that team—he was at Ohio State, but he watched film of those losses. He told reporters after his selection that he “can’t wait to hit an Eagle.” His ability to diagnose plays and close on the ball carrier will be tested immediately. The Giants play the Washington Commanders at home in Week 3. That’s his first real test.

7. The Long-Term Vision: A Defensive Cornerstone

The Giants are not a playoff team in 2026. That is the honest truth. They are in a rebuild. But with Reese, they have a foundational piece. He is only 20 years old. He won’t turn 21 until November. He has three years of eligibility left, but he is NFL-ready physically.

Compare him to Micah Parsons or Fred Warner. Reese has that same blend of speed and violence. The Giants will likely pair him with Bobby Okereke, creating a linebacker duo that can compete with the best in the league. In two years, when the Giants are ready to contend again, Reese will be entering his prime. This was a pick for the future, not the present. And that is exactly why it was the right move.

Expert Analysis: What the Film Says

I watched every snap of Reese’s 2025 season. Here is the breakdown:

• Run defense: Elite instincts. He reads the guard’s pull and attacks the hole. Rarely misses a tackle.
• Pass coverage: Above average. He can mirror running backs and has the hips to cover slot receivers. Needs work on zone depth.
• Pass rush: Explosive. He wins with speed around the edge. The Giants will blitz him 40+ times this season.
• Leadership: Vocal. He was a captain at Ohio State as a junior. That is rare.

The knock on Reese is his tendency to over-pursue against option plays. The Washington Commanders will test that with their zone-read packages. But that is fixable with coaching. The talent is undeniable.

Prediction: Reese’s Rookie Season

I am projecting Arvell Reese to start from Day 1. He will play 85% of defensive snaps. His stat line: 95 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. He will be a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Giants will finish 6-11, but their defense will jump from 29th to 18th in yards allowed. Reese will be the reason.

Strong Conclusion

The New York Giants made a bold bet on Thursday night. They bet that Arvell Reese is not just an athlete, but a leader. They bet that his Cleveland toughness will translate to the Meadowlands. They bet that a 20-year-old linebacker can be the face of a rebuild.

In a division where the Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl favorites and the Washington Commanders are rising, the Giants needed a difference-maker. They got one. Reese will not fix everything overnight. But he will hit hard, run fast, and play with a fire that this franchise has lacked for years.

Welcome to New York, Arvell Reese. The city is ready for you. The NFC East is not.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.