The New York Giants were stunned when Arvell Reese was still on the board when they were on the clock fifth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. New York general manager Joe Schoen and head coach John Harbaugh felt like it was too good of a chance to pass up on. They selected him fifth overall in the draft. He played for the Ohio State Buckeyes last season.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 23: Arvell Reese (L) of Ohio State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (R) after being selected fifth overall pick by the New York Giants during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Reese is going to be playing linebacker this season instead of edge rusher. It will be interesting to see how he is going to fit in this defense. The defense has a lot of talent, and it needs to come together. Training camp in the Harbaugh era has been very quiet, but there are some players who are already making an impact. Reese is 6’4″ and weighs 243 lbs.

NFL Insider Reveals Positive Update About New York Giants Rookie Arvell Reese

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 23: Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese reacts as he puts on a hat after being chosen fifth overall by the New York Giants in the tunnel during the the first round NFL football draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Charlotte Carroll of the Athletic has been covering the Giants in training camp in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia. Carroll has noticed how Reese has been performing so far in camp. She said,

“Linebacker Arvell Reese likes to describe himself as a physical and fast player. A week into training camp, the New York Giants’ top pick of the 2026 draft class has looked the part.
Reese has been starting at inside linebacker alongside Tremaine Edmunds, who was brought in during free agency. While there was some pre-draft chatter around the league about pushing Reese outside and letting him use his quick first step off the edge, the Giants were clear from the start that the rookie would be playing inside.
It’s early, but the decision to keep him at linebacker looks to have been a wise one. During the first week of camp, Reese put his speed and IQ on display, most memorably when he got himself in position to bat down a pass in zone coverage. Reese’s acumen caught the eye of coach John Harbaugh, who later called it a “great football play.”

There have not been any videos of any kind in training camp to see what is happening. Business is different with the Giants under Schoen and Harbaugh. If Reese can live up to his Top 5 potential as a rookie, then New York’s defense is going to be much better against the run and the pass than they were a season ago here.
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