New York Giants rookie linebacker Arvell Reese is quickly establishing himself as a vital component of the team's defense, drawing praise from coach John Harbaugh for his rapid development and ability to execute defensive schemes.
Through two preseason games, Reese has earned an impressive PFF grade of 88.2, ranking second among defensive rookies. He has already settled into a starting role at inside linebacker alongside Tremaine Edmunds. "He hasn’t really missed a beat at all," Harbaugh stated. "He learns very quickly, and he executes the defenses really well. And then when he doesn’t, he listens to every word of the coaching and applies it on the next opportunity. He’s making a lot of progress real fast."
Reese's performance is particularly noteworthy given the attention surrounding his draft selection. He was chosen by the Giants three spots after the Jets selected another player at No. 2 overall in April. His continued strong play in training camp and preseason games has solidified his position on the defensive unit.
Harbaugh anticipates that Reese's learning curve will continue as he transitions to regular-season games. "So, after that [Cowboys] game [in Week 1], I think it’ll be a big step for him as far as, ‘Oh, OK, this is kind of how I need to approach this,’ " Harbaugh said.
In other team news, Harbaugh met with the player leadership group, which includes Jaxson Dart, Jevón Holland, and Andrew Thomas, to discuss "in-house stuff" such as schedules and player preferences. He also commented on the team's recent trade of offensive lineman Daniel Faalele to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick, noting the value of acquiring late-round draft assets. Harbaugh indicated the Giants would be open to further trades if opportunities arise, particularly given depth at certain positions. Offensive linemen Jermaine Eluemunor and Francis Mauigoa are expected to return to practice, while tight end Theo Johnson, who exited a practice after a collision, is expected to be fine.