Joel Klatt Sounds Off on Giants Latest Edge: 'His Athleticism is Off the Charts'

[ad_1] The New York Giants had been extensively lauded for choosing Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese with the fifth general decide within the 2026 NFL Draft. FOX Sports activities lead faculty soccer analyst Joel Klatt was amongst these praising the choice, however not simply because Reese will bolster the Giants' move rush.

In the newest episode of "The Joel Klatt Present," Klatt pointed to the competitors the Giants will face within the NFC East as to why Reese was a robust choice.

"Who do [the Giants] see twice a yr? They see Jalen Hurts, they usually see Jayden Daniels," Klatt mentioned. "Jalen Hurts particularly had the second most drop backs that wound up being scrambles — 20% of his drop-backs wound up being scrambles.

"Now you may have a man that may deal with that and do it principally by himself [in Reese]. So, it's a nice match not simply because he is a terrific participant, but additionally due to who they play."

The Giants had been truly in a position to hold Hurts in test this previous season, sacking him seven instances and permitting him to hurry for simply 35 yards over two video games. However Daniels rushed for 68 yards in the one recreation he performed towards the Giants in 2025.

Nonetheless, the Giants might use the increase of expertise that Reese ought to convey to their protection. They had been within the backside 5 in complete protection, tied for fifteenth in sacks and twenty eighth in run-stop win price.

Whereas Reese has been labeled as an edge rusher within the lead-up to the draft, he additionally performed loads of off-ball linebacker at Ohio State. Klatt, who had Reese ranked third on his top-50 prospects huge board, believes that the 6-foot-3 defensive standout's versatility will probably be a boon for New York's protection, citing a pair of his performances throughout his days at Columbus as a motive why.

"One of many methods he made an incredible impression final yr for Ohio State was as a spy due to the athleticism that he has. And it is true, I imply his athleticism is off the charts. We noticed it towards Arch Manning, and we additionally noticed it towards Demond Williams Jr.," Klatt mentioned on Monday's version of "The Joel Klatt Present." "Demond Williams Jr. was one of many nice scramblers in all of school soccer. He could not do something towards Ohio State, primarily due to Arvell Reese. Reese was spying on him, and he was watching him, and he couldn't create outdoors of the pocket."

To Klatt's level, Williams put up minus-28 speeding yards in that recreation as he was sacked six instances in Ohio State's victory over Washington. Reese did not log any of these sacks, however he helped decelerate Williams' course of on a number of events, resulting in sacks.

The Giants completed the season 4-13 and fired former head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen in November after Daboll's 2-8 begin. Within the offseason, New York turned to rent John Harbaugh, bringing within the veteran head coach shortly after he was fired by the Baltimore Ravens in January. With a playoff-caliber coach in Harbaugh and new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson in place, Reese's expertise might assist reignite the defensive facet of the ball this season, as some consider he will help the Giants rapidly flip issues round.