Chris Simms praised the New York Giants' choice to draft Arvell Reese fifth overall in the 2026 NFL draft, asserting he is a better linebacker than Sonny Styles.
Chris Simms: Giants' Arvell Reese 'better linebacker' than Sonny Styles
NBC Sports analyst and former NFL quarterback Chris Simms offered a strong endorsement of the New York Giants’ decision to draft Arvell Reese fifth overall in the 2026 NFL draft.
Addressing ongoing debates over whether the Giants should have selected Sonny Styles instead, Simms declared his preference without hesitation.
“And I’m here to tell you that Arvell Reese is a better linebacker than Sonny Styles every day of the week and twice on Sunday,” Simms said on the “Giants Huddle” podcast.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. ET
Week 2: Monday, Sept. 21 at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. ET
: Sunday, Sept. 27 vs. Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET
Chris Simms believes Arvell Reese is a better linebacker than Sonny Styles, emphasizing his strong endorsement of the Giants' decision.
Arvell Reese was drafted in the first round, specifically as the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Arvell Reese plays as a linebacker for the New York Giants.
Chris Simms discussed Arvell Reese on the 'Giants Huddle' podcast.
Catch the Geneva Open, Internationaux de Strasbourg, and Hamburg Open this week!
Kentucky Wildcats' Coaches Scout Top Prospects at Nike EYBL
Liverpool suffered a 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa, impacting their Champions League qualification hopes. The team now faces Brentford at Anfield needing a win to secure their spot.
Melbourne football showcases strong offense and new defense in 44-0 spring game win.
Celtic faces Hearts in a crucial title decider at Celtic Park!
Jose Mourinho is set to meet with Florentino Perez to finalize his return to Real Madrid next week.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11 at Washington Commanders, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 6: Sunday, Oct 18 vs. New Orleans Saints, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 7: Sunday, Oct 25 at Houston Texans, 1:00 p.m. ET
Bye week
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8 at Philadelphia Eagles, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 12 vs. Washington Commanders, 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29 at Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6 vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13 at Seattle Seahawks, 4:15 p.m. ET
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20 vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 16: Monday, Dec. 28 at Detroit Lions, 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3 at Dallas Cowboys, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 18: Saturday/Sunday, Jan. 9/10 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1:00 p.m. ET
1 / 18
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. ET
1 / 18
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. ET
2 / 18
Week 2: Monday, Sept. 21 at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. ET
3 / 18
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27 vs. Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET
4 / 18
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1:00 p.m. ET
5 / 18
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11 at Washington Commanders, 1:00 p.m. ET
6 / 18
Week 6: Sunday, Oct 18 vs. New Orleans Saints, 1:00 p.m. ET
7 / 18
Week 7: Sunday, Oct 25 at Houston Texans, 1:00 p.m. ET
8 / 18
Bye week
9 / 18
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8 at Philadelphia Eagles, 1:00 p.m. ET
10 / 18
Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 12 vs. Washington Commanders, 8:15 p.m. ET
11 / 18
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00 p.m. ET
12 / 18
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29 at Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET
13 / 18
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6 vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1:00 p.m. ET
14 / 18
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13 at Seattle Seahawks, 4:15 p.m. ET
15 / 18
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20 vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET
16 / 18
Week 16: Monday, Dec. 28 at Detroit Lions, 8:15 p.m. ET
17 / 18
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3 at Dallas Cowboys, 1:00 p.m. ET
18 / 18
Week 18: Saturday/Sunday, Jan. 9/10 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1:00 p.m. ET
Simms ranked Reese as the top edge rusher and top linebacker in the draft class.
“He’s young. I mean, he plays physical. He’s got incredible instincts. He’s an amazing open-field tackler. He’s a specimen,” Simms said.
Simms drew parallels to Micah Parsons’ development with the Dallas Cowboys, suggesting the Giants could follow a similar path: Starting Reese at inside linebacker, incorporating him in pass-rush packages, and eventually positioning him as a full-time edge disruptor alongside Abdul Carter and Brian Burns.
Standing 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Reese possesses the ideal frame to bulk up further while preserving his explosive speed and agility. This developmental profile aligns perfectly with head coach John Harbaugh’s preference for dynamic, intelligent defenders capable of excelling in multiple roles.
Simms’ enthusiastic take should help silence skeptics and build excitement around Reese’s immense upside as a cornerstone of the Giants’ defense.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Chris Simms: Giants' Arvell Reese 'better linebacker' than Sonny Styles