The New York Giants selected Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This marks the first pick of the John Harbaugh era for the Giants.
Key points
Arvell Reese selected by the Giants with the No. 5 pick
First pick of the John Harbaugh era
Reese was expected to be drafted by the Jets at No. 2
Reese is a linebacker from Ohio State
Arvell ReeseOhio StateNew York GiantsNew York Jets
Arvell Reese selected by Giants with No. 5 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
EAST RUTHERFORD - Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese is coming to the Big Apple, just not to the team everyone expected.
The New York Giants have selected Reese with the No. 5 overall selection in the first round of the NFL Draft, the first pick of the John Harbaugh era. Reese was widely anticipated to be selected by the Jets at No. 2, and now he is a Giant.
Dec 14, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols (26) fumbs the ball being tackled by New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Apr 25, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, US; New York Giants president John Mara (far left), general manager Joe Schoen (left), Jaxson Dart, Abdul Carter, and head coach Brian Daboll (right) pose for photos prior to the start of the press conference to introduce the Giants first round draft picks. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images
New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter.
Q&A
Why did the Giants select Arvell Reese with the No. 5 pick?
The Giants selected Arvell Reese to bolster their defense as part of a new strategy under head coach John Harbaugh.
Which team was expected to draft Arvell Reese before the Giants?
Arvell Reese was widely anticipated to be selected by the New York Jets at No. 2 before the Giants chose him.
What position does Arvell Reese play?
Arvell Reese plays linebacker, having showcased his skills at Ohio State.
What does Arvell Reese's selection mean for the Giants' future?
Reese's selection indicates the Giants' commitment to strengthening their defense and building a competitive team under new leadership.
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Jaxson Dart #6 and Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants celebrate after Skattebo carried the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) takes a self with fans, after Big Blue beat the Dallas Cowboys, 34-17, Sunday, January 4, 2026, in East Rutherford.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) walks off the field after winning a Thursday Night Football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) celebrates his rushing touchdown against the New York Jets.
2025: Abdul Carter, No. 3 overall
2024: Malik Nabers, No. 6 overall
2023: Deonte Banks, No. 24 overall
2022: Evan Neal, No. 7 overall
2022: Kayvon Thibodeaux, No. 5 overall
2021: Kadarius Toney, No. 20 overall
2020: Andrew Thomas, No. 4 overall
2019: Deandre Baker, No. 30 overall
2019: Dexter Lawrence, No. 17 overall
2019: Daniel Jones, No. 6 overall
2018: Saquon Barkley, No. 2 overall
2017: Evan Engram, No. 23 overall
2016: Eli Apple, No. 10 overall
2015: Ereck Flowers, No. 9 overall
2014: Odell Beckham Jr., No. 12 overall
2013: Justin Pugh, No. 19 overall
2012: David Wilson, No. 32 overall
2011: Prince Amukamara, No. 19 overall
2010: Jason Pierre-Paul, No. 15 overall
2009: Hakeem Nicks, No. 29 overall
2008: Kenny Phillips, No. 31 overall
2007: Aaron Ross, No. 20 overall
2006: Mathias Kiwanuka, No. 32 overall
1 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
Dec 14, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols (26) fumbs the ball being tackled by New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
1 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
Dec 14, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols (26) fumbs the ball being tackled by New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
2 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
Apr 25, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, US; New York Giants president John Mara (far left), general manager Joe Schoen (left), Jaxson Dart, Abdul Carter, and head coach Brian Daboll (right) pose for photos prior to the start of the press conference to introduce the Giants first round draft picks. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images
3 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter.
4 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
Jaxson Dart #6 and Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants celebrate after Skattebo carried the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
5 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) takes a self with fans, after Big Blue beat the Dallas Cowboys, 34-17, Sunday, January 4, 2026, in East Rutherford.
6 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) walks off the field after winning a Thursday Night Football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles
7 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) celebrates his rushing touchdown against the New York Jets.
8 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2025: Abdul Carter, No. 3 overall
9 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2024: Malik Nabers, No. 6 overall
10 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2023: Deonte Banks, No. 24 overall
11 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2022: Evan Neal, No. 7 overall
12 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2022: Kayvon Thibodeaux, No. 5 overall
13 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2021: Kadarius Toney, No. 20 overall
14 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2020: Andrew Thomas, No. 4 overall
15 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2019: Deandre Baker, No. 30 overall
16 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2019: Dexter Lawrence, No. 17 overall
17 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2019: Daniel Jones, No. 6 overall
18 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2018: Saquon Barkley, No. 2 overall
19 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2017: Evan Engram, No. 23 overall
20 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2016: Eli Apple, No. 10 overall
21 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2015: Ereck Flowers, No. 9 overall
22 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2014: Odell Beckham Jr., No. 12 overall
23 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2013: Justin Pugh, No. 19 overall
24 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2012: David Wilson, No. 32 overall
25 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2011: Prince Amukamara, No. 19 overall
26 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2010: Jason Pierre-Paul, No. 15 overall
27 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2009: Hakeem Nicks, No. 29 overall
28 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2008: Kenny Phillips, No. 31 overall
29 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2007: Aaron Ross, No. 20 overall
30 / 30
See all the NY Giants' first-round NFL Draft picks since 2005
2006: Mathias Kiwanuka, No. 32 overall
The 6-foot-4, 243-pound Reese had been pegged to go No. 2 to the Jets since the Combine, but there was recent speculation that he could slide a few spots if the Jets' Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey went edge David Bailey of Texas Tech, which is exactly what they did.
If that was the case, with Reese on the board for the Giants, they could not pass on him. Sure, his projection may be as an edge player, selecting him might be overkill with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux - even if Thibodeaux emerges as a trade chip - on the roster.
But Reese has also stood out as an off-ball linebacker, and it's possible they wind up playing him there and just figuring out the best plan to make all of it work. Talent is talent.
