Giants linebacker Arvell Reese celebrating a pass breakup
Giants linebacker Arvell Reese celebrating a pass breakup
Arvell Reese called his game against Arizona “decent.” Nine solo tackles, three passes defensed, a tackle for loss and his first NFL interception apparently leave him plenty to improve.
The Giants would happily take a lot more of that. Their No. 5 overall pick is already doing the work that makes a defense harder to play against, and Tuesday brought another Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week nomination. It’s his second nomination in as many games, not a second award win.
Four games into his career, Reese has already earned PFF’s Rookie and Defensive Player of the Week recognition. The most encouraging part of Sunday was that he affected the passing game as well as finishing tackles.
Giants linebacker Arvell Reese breaking up a pass against Arizona
Oct 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Arvell Reese (52) blocks a pass by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Giants got more than a run defender
Three passes defensed and an interception make quarterbacks account for a linebacker in a different way. A tackle after a completion is useful. Preventing that completion or taking the ball away can end the possession before the offense gets another chance to move the chains.
Reese gave the Giants both kinds of production in their 36-24 win. His nine solo tackles meant he was finishing plays himself, while the plays on the ball gave New York more than a cleanup defender. That’s a strong early return on a premium draft pick.
Tackle totals alone can be misleading. A defense that can’t get off the field provides plenty of chances to pile them up, and a tackle eight yards downfield isn’t the same as stopping a runner near the line. Reese’s tackle for loss and work in coverage are why I’d be more excited than a high tackle count by itself might warrant.
John Harbaugh said Reese had “really taken off” after Sunday’s game. The coach’s praise fits what the rookie produced, but four games still aren’t a finished scouting report. Teams will study his tendencies and try to make him hesitate with misdirection and route combinations.
The next test comes in the division
New York is 3-1 and heads to Washington on Sunday. I’m more interested in Reese handling that next assignment than winning a fan vote, although Giants fans have every reason to get behind him. His value is already showing up in possessions rather than a list of promising rookies.
He doesn’t have to repeat an interception every week to justify the excitement. Keep taking sound angles, get the defense lined up, and make quarterbacks earn throws over the middle. Those are the habits that can turn an excellent start into a dependable season.
Reese is talking as though a very good afternoon wasn’t enough. With this much production already on the field, that’s a pretty enjoyable complaint for Giants fans to have.