New York Giants first-round pick Arvell Reese is set to become a dynamic "weapon" in a flexible, position-less defense under head coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.
During pre-draft visits, Reese forged strong personal connections with the coaching staff, particularly Wilson, inside linebackers coach Frank Bush, and Harbaugh himself. He described their conversations — including a standout dinner discussion — as some of the best he had on his top-30 visits, helping solidify his comfort with the organization.
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"I had talked with Coach Dennard, Coach Bush, Coach Harbaugh. They told me how they would use me. From that I just say I'm going to be used in a unique way. I'm a weapon. That's how it's supposed to be," Reese told reporters.
"I just like (these) coaches, Coach Dennard, Coach Bush, I sat down with them at dinner, and I think that was like a major part in this. We had a great talk. I also had a great talk with Coach Harbaugh. I respect those guys. I can truly say those were some of the best conversations I had on my 30 visits."
The Giants envision Reese primarily lining up at inside linebacker alongside veteran Tremaine Edmunds. However, Harbaugh, who said Reese was the team's highest-rated non-quarterback, emphasized that the rookie's versatility will be fully utilized across the front.
"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 (Edmunds), 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," Harbaugh said.
"We'll be running games and picks and stunts and different things like that on passing situations, and he's good in coverage as well, he's a versatile player. He's a young player. He's gotten better every single year, playing off the ball and on the ball, so he does both."
Reese expressed immediate excitement about joining that elite group of pass rushers.
"Dang, you got Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, Abdul Carter," he said. "That sounds like a great situation playing alongside those guys."
The Giants clearly view Reese as a high-upside chess piece capable of impacting games in multiple ways from Day 1.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Arvell Reese vows to be 'a weapon' for New York Giants' defense