The New York Giants may have surprised a few folks when they used the fifth overall pick on former Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese. That’s because most evaluators expect Reese to follow Micah Parsons’ path from linebacker to full-time edge-rusher in the NFL, and New York had already invested in its edge rotation.
The Giants’ edge group is headlined by 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, trade acquisition Brian Burns, and 2025 first-round pick Abdul Carter. Some have speculated that the selection of Reese will push out Thibodeaux, who is entering a contract year.
While New York reportedly has listened to offers for Thibodeaux, it won’t let him go at a bargain price. According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the New Orleans Saints inquired about Thibodeaux during the draft but were unwilling to meet the Giants’ asking price of a second-round pick.
It’ll be interesting to see how and if Reese fits into the edge equation alongside Burns, Carter, and Thibodeaux in camp, or if he begins his career as an off-ball linebacker alongside prized free-agent acquisition Tremaine Edmunds.
Regardless of how the Giants plan to use Reese during his rookie season, their defensive front seven looks a lot better, on paper, than it did a few months ago. Of course, we are eager to learn about Reese’s role and what it might mean, if anything, for Thibodeaux’s future.