The New York Giants might have gotten the best defensive player in the entire class with the fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft. The team took full advantage of the Arizona Cardinals taking running back Jeremiyah Love and the Tennessee Titans surprising in selecting wide receiver Carnell Tate, then selected Ohio State hybrid defensive piece Arvell Reese. It’s the first pick in the John Harbaugh era, and it couldn’t have been much better for the future of the franchise.

Arvell Reese’s scouting report

The projection for Arvell Reese is an exciting one when you consider the trajectory of NFL defenses in today’s game. There are a ton of schemes that look to bring pressure from depth while also dropping an end into zone coverages to create confusion from opposing quarterbacks — this is where I see Reese blending the two halves of his current NFL projection.

Some people view Reese as an off-ball linebacker, while others think he’s better served trying to become a full-time edge defender. The right defensive scheme can allow him to be both, although asking him to do too much, too soon may be a first-class ticket to a longer developmental curve.

Reese is currently better suited to play off-ball linebacker, but the ceiling as a pass rusher is monstrous. Perhaps starting him as a stack player and gradually weaning him onto the edge more as his rookie contract rolls along is the ticket for the greatest outcome.

Positional reasoning

The Giants had already invested in the off-ball linebacker position this offseason by adding Tremaine Edmunds in free agency after his release from the Chicago Bears — Edmunds signed a three-year, $36 million deal. The other projected starter was Micah McFadden, a former fifth-round pick. The depth also has Zaire Barnes, Darius Muasau, Cam Jones, and Swayze Bozeman.

Historically, head coach John Harbaugh has prioritized elite and versatile off-ball linebackers to build his defenses. The obvious examples during his Baltimore Ravens’ tenure include C.J. Mosley, Patrick Queen, and Roquan Smith — Ray Lewis was already there when Harbaugh took over in 2008.

Theoretically, the Giants already had a surplus of talent at the edge defender position with high investments both via the draft and trade market. But it was undoubtedly a top-heavy group. The team traded for Brian Burns and gave him a contract extension, then selected both Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter in the top 5. Outside of them, the depth chart at outside linebacker has Caleb Murphy, claimed off waivers from the New England Patriots late last season, and Trace Ford, a former college free agent.

With Arvell Reese, the Giants address both positions at once.

Grade: A