The New York Giants are staring down a pivotal offseason in 2026.
Of course, they’ll be finding a new head coach, and maybe even a new general manager if the season spirals further out of control than it already has.
But armed with a projected top-three pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, New York has an opportunity to bring in a difference maker.
While the Giants have several holes on the roster, it’s not always wise to pick a player out of need; rather, focus on taking the best player available when you’re on the clock.
Even if it means crowding an otherwise already-stacked position group.
Mock Draft Has Giants Selecting OSU’s Arvell Reese
In a new mock draft from The San Diego Union-Tribune, Eddie Brown has the New York Giants selecting Ohio State linebacker/edge Arvell Reese.
“Building support around franchise QB Jaxson Dart makes the most sense, but I still believe this is too high for a receiver or O-lineman in this draft. Reese has the talent to go first overall. He plays linebacker, but I could easily see him as a full-time edge rusher in the pros, very similar to Micah Parsons,” wrote Brown.
“Reese features a rare combination of size (6-4, 240) and athleticism, has sideline-to-sideline range and the natural instincts to make plays all over the field. He’d also allow Schoen to trade Kayvon Thibodeaux, who will be in the final year of his rookie deal next season.”
Reese is widely considered to be one of the best defenders in the 2026 class, and to some draft analysts, the best player period.
So far this season, the Buckeye has racked up 61 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two passes defended.
While the Giants certainly aren’t desperate for more depth at edge, adding Reese gives them insurance with the futures of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter questionable at best.
Giants Can Use Their Other Edges as Trade Bait
Adding Reese to a room of Brian Burns, Thibodeaux and Carter makes little to no sense on paper.
But in the hypothetical world where the New York Giants select the Ohio State product No. 2 overall, they can use one (or both) of their other first-round edge rushers in trades.
Thibodeaux has one year remaining on his contract after this season, after New York exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal.
With the former Oregon Duck an impending free agent, Joe Schoen (or whoever the general manager is) can use him in a trade to acquire more draft capital or for a veteran that can help the Giants turn their losing ways around.
Or, they could choose to cut bait with Carter, New York’s third overall pick from 2025, who has had a disappointing rookie year to say the least.
If the Giants are fed up with their Penn State products’ tardiness and lack of professionalism, they can try to recoup some value by trading him.
The selection of Reese would open several avenues for New York to get creative with their roster construction ahead of the 2026 season, but it’s fair to wonder if they’re better off using that draft pick on a different position than pass rusher.
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