New York Giants select Arvell Reese, edge from Ohio State, with No. 5 pick in 2026 NFL Draft

AFC EastBillsDolphinsJetsPatriotsAFC NorthBengalsBrownsRavensSteelersAFC SouthColtsJaguarsTexansTitansAFC WestBroncosChargersChiefsRaidersNFC EastCommandersCowboysEaglesGiantsNFC NorthBearsLionsPackersVikingsNFC SouthBuccaneersFalconsPanthersSaintsNFC West49ersCardinalsRamsSeahawksScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyNFL OddsNFL PicksNFL DraftPodcastsScoop City NewsletterNFL Draft UpdatesThe BeastConsensus RankingsTop 300 Rankings7-Round Draft Order2026 NFL Draft Ohio State's Arvell Reese broke out as a first-team All-American with 10 tackles for loss in 2025. John Fisher / Getty Images Share article17The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft. The New York Giants made Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese the No. 5 pick of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday. Reese doesn’t have as much experience as the rest of Ohio State’s first-round talent, but in his one year as a full-time starter, he made an enormous impact, showing off his elite athleticism and freakish pass rush moves as a hybrid linebacker and edge rusher. In his first year as a starter, Reese tallied 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks and was at the forefront of Ohio State’s defensive game plan under Matt Patricia. He jumped onto the scene in Week 1 with nine tackles and one sack in a win against Texas. He seemed to make at least one play a game the rest of the way that made a highlight reel or went viral on social media. The 6-foot-4, 241-pound Reese, who ran a 4.46 40, is the perfect example of film over statistical production because everything he did on film had coaches around the country raving about him, even if his numbers didn’t jump off the page each week. Reese ranked No. 1 on Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide: “He is explosive from his spot and has exceptional closing burst to cover ground in a blink. He can create short corners as a rusher, but will need time to become more of a pass-rush technician in terms of setting up and sequencing different moves. He uses his length to anchor as an edge setter and skillfully deconstructs blocks with elusive movements or violent, well-timed hands.” A versatile defender who has the physical traits to become a dominant pass rusher. What an anonymous offensive coach had to say about Reese in Bruce Feldman’s mock draft: “They asked him to do a ton, and he’s elite at everything that they asked him to do. He’s playing stack linebacker better than the guy who only plays stack linebacker, and then he goes to edge and rushes the passer better than the guys who only have to rush the passer. He’s setting the edge and is just as good as guys who are 40 pounds heavier than him. Then, he’s covering just as well as the nickel and Caleb Downs are covering.” Come back later for more analysis of Reese. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms