EAST RUTHERFORD – The New York Giants have selected Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the No. 5 overall selection in the first round of the NFL Draft, the first pick of the John Harbaugh era.
The 6-foot-4, 243-pound Reese had been pegged to go No. 2 to the Jets since the Combine, but there was recent speculation that he could slide a few spots if the Jets’ Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey went edge David Bailey of Texas Tech, which is exactly what they did.
With Reese on the board for the Giants, they could not pass on him. Sure, his projection may be as an edge player, selecting him might be overkill with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux – even if Thibodeaux emerges as a trade chip – on the roster.
But Reese has also stood out as an off-ball linebacker, and it’s possible they wind up playing him there and just figuring out the best plan to make all of it work. Talent is talent.
Arvell Reese Draft Grade: A
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Giants draft grade for selecting Arvell Reese in NFL Draft 2026