The New York Giants selected linebacker Abdul Carter third overall last year and followed up by picking Arvell Reese fifth overall this year. Both players are expected to significantly enhance the Giants' defense.
Key points
New York Giants selected Abdul Carter third overall last year
Giants picked Arvell Reese fifth overall this year
Carter and Reese are both highly talented linebackers
They faced each other in a game in November 2024
Reese did not record any stats in that game
Mentioned in this story
Penn StateOhio State
New York GiantsNFL Draft
Arvell Reese's dominance against Penn State sold Giants' Abdul Carter
Last year, the New York Giants selected the top linebacker in the NFL draft when they selected Penn State's Abdul Carter with the third overall pick. This year, they repeated the feat when Arvell Reese of Ohio State fell into their laps at No. 5 overall.
Fans and experts' imaginations have been running wild with the sudden reality of having two such highly talented players on the same defense.
Carter and Reese do not have a relationship heading into this season. They faced each other exactly one time, back in November of 2024, a 20-13 Buckeyes' win, but Reese was not yet a factor. The then-19-year-old recorded no stats in the game.
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Q&A
Who did the New York Giants select in the NFL draft?
The New York Giants selected Abdul Carter third overall last year and Arvell Reese fifth overall this year.
What impact will Arvell Reese have on the Giants' defense?
Arvell Reese is expected to significantly enhance the Giants' defense alongside Abdul Carter, creating a formidable linebacker duo.
When did Arvell Reese and Abdul Carter face each other?
Arvell Reese and Abdul Carter faced each other in November 2024 during a game where the Buckeyes won 20-13.
What are the expectations for the Giants' defense this season?
With the addition of Arvell Reese and the presence of Abdul Carter, expectations are high for the Giants' defense to perform at an elite level.
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But it was last year's matchup that caught Carter's eye. Watching the game on television, he got a full dose of what Reese could do. The Buckeyes walloped Carter's alma mater, 38-14, with Reese delvering a signature performance: 12 total tackles, 2.5 for a loss, with a sack.
Carter told the New York Post on Friday at an event in the Bronx that Reese "popped off the screen" in that game and began hoping that the Giants would land Reese in the draft.
When they did, Carter made it known on social media that he was heavily in favor of the pick.
"Yeah, it's very exciting," Reese said after the draft about joining up with Carter. "You can get two guys from the Big Ten. Both dogs on the same defense. That's always a good situation, you know. Very excited for that.""Just knowing what he can do, just watching him and the violence he plays with, and how fast he plays, it’s going to be fun," Carter told The Post on Friday. "We’re on the same side now. How physical he plays, that’s going to be real helpful for us."
Carter will line up on the outside along with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, while Reese mans things inside next to free-agent addition Tremaine Edmunds. But the Giants have made it clear that Reese will also see opportunities to rush the passer, creating a dynamic defensive threat.