Arvell Reese has barely gotten his feet wet with the Giants, and he’s already doing the one thing that can send New York fans into orbit: looking like he belongs.
There’s only so much to judge during OTAs without pads or live contact, but Reese has still managed to separate himself early in the process. According to Jordan Raanan on ESPN, he’s already standing out around veterans - and not just in the figurative sense. The rookie’s size and athletic profile have made an immediate impression, and he’s been getting noticed fast.
“Even on an NFL field, [Reese] stands out physically with his size (6-foot-4, 241 pounds), especially at inside linebacker where he's playing,” Raanan wrote. “The Ohio State product impressed with his ability to cover and run with running backs. ... The Giants were also happy with how Reese handled the mental aspect of the spring.”
That’s the kind of early report that gets people dreaming, even if it comes with the obvious caveat that OTA buzz only tells you so much. The real test comes when the hitting starts. Still, there’s no denying what Reese brings to the table: size, speed, and the kind of football IQ that can show up even in a no-pads setting.
He’s also apparently caught the eye of one of the Giants’ biggest defensive names. All-Pro pass rusher Brian Burns was said to be “surprised” by Reese’s ability to stay with running backs, according to Raanan. That’s not a small compliment, especially this early in the rookie’s career.
What stands out most is how quickly Reese seems to be absorbing everything around him. The playbook, the responsibilities, the movement skills - all of it has shown up in a limited setting. For a player who arrived with major expectations, that’s exactly the kind of start the Giants were hoping to see.
The Giants are clearly ready to give Reese every chance to make an impact right away. And if these early glimpses are any indication, the No. 5 overall pick may be making it very hard for anyone to keep the ceiling low.
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