The pick is in: the Giants picked Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese with the fifth overall selection Thursday night in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Will this be a transformative move for a once-proud franchise?
New coach John Harbaugh sure believes so. That’s why he wanted Reese, who has a chance to help the Giants upgrade their putrid run defense, in addition to providing pass rushing dominance.
This is an interesting pick, because Reese views himself as an edge rusher. But the Giants already have Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and (to a lesser extent) Kayvon Thibodeaux there. They could still trade Thibodeaux, who is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.
Harbaugh could opt to play Reese at inside linebacker next to the newly signed Tremaine Edmunds. That other inside linebacker spot is currently occupied by Micah McFadden, but he isn’t a proven starter.
“They said they’re going to use me in a bunch of unique ways, so I’m looking forward to that,” Reese said of the Giants on ESPN’s broadcast of the draft.
The Giants’ initial first-round pick followed quarterback Fernando Mendoza going first to the Raiders, edge rusher David Bailey going second to the Jets, running back Jeremiyah Love going third to the Cardinals and wide receiver Carnell Tate going fourth to the Titans — a surprising pick.
That left the Giants choosing between safety Caleb Downs, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and Reese at No. 5. And ultimately, they went with Reese. They could still take Downs or Tyson at No. 10.
Meanwhile, Reese and Bailey will be compared for years to come in New Jersey.
The Giants entered this draft with plenty of needs (and options), as they try to build around prized second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart, coming off three straight disastrous seasons (6-11 in 2023, 3-14 in 2024 and 4-13 last year).
But now, they have a new regime — and plenty of optimism.
On Thursday night, they also had valuable extra draft ammo, because of their blockbuster trade with the Bengals, who landed star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence in exchange for the 10th pick.
So Harbaugh knew he’d get two big swings at Nos. 5 and 10 to bolster his roster, while putting his stamp on the Giants.
Harbaugh was hoping for — and needed — better results with these two picks than general manager Joe Schoen got in 2022, when he picked edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5 and right tackle Evan Neal at No. 7.
Thibodeaux has been a solid but not spectacular player, while Neal has been a complete bust, leaving Harbaugh with a low bar to clear for the fifth and 10th picks this year.
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