Big Blue View
When Arvell Reese dropped into the Giants lap, John Harbaugh immediately declared that he would be used as an inside linebacker.
BBV’s Chris Pflum pre-draft evaluation centered on edge defender and not a linebacker. Pflum went back into Reese’s tape to evaluate him purely as a linebacker. He concluded:
The Giants will have to be careful to avoid putting too much on Reese too soon and force him to wear too many hats. However, he showed an aptitude for processing a significant amount of information in [Ohio State University’s] defense, so he might be able to handle more than the average rookie.
Reese’s length, athleticism, processing, strength, and spatial awareness all give him a very high upside as an off-ball linebacker. His upside as a blitzer should allow a dangerous Giants’ pass rush to be even more fearsome, even as he needs to hone his game in that area… it’ll be absolutely fascinating to see how a coach with as diverse a background as Dennard Wilson uses Reese.
Let us know if you agree with Chris.
Now, let’s get to more Giants headlines.
Abdul Carter. Carter’s rookie season is a study in the box score vs. advanced stats. The box score shows an underwhelming 4.5 sacks (a half sack through the first 12 games), but the advanced stats reveal a disruptive presence who had the most quick pressures (a pressure in under 2.5 seconds) and ranked 11th among edge defenders in total pressures. The eye test lined up with the advanced stats, as Carter displayed an explosiveness off the edge that suggests a breakout second season is coming. The key will be Carter becoming more committed to doing everything it takes to be a great player, something he started to do late last season after multiple benchings for missing meetings.
10. Francis Mauigoa, G, New York Giants Initial Role: Starting RG. The New York Giants used their second first-round draft pick on Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa. The 2025 consensus All-American was the second-ranked interior lineman on the final B/R board but was also deemed the draft’s best run blocker at the position.
Mauigoa, it would seem, wasted little time solidifying himself as a starter for the Giants. Barring a major setback in camp, Mauigoa will be a Week 1 starter for the Giants.
But if we truly appreciate how Harbaugh wants this offense to set the tone, there is going to be a tremendous burden placed on the backfield that still has something to prove. Saying there is concern is not to say this can’t be a talented group...
