The New York Giants already had a logjam on their hands at outside linebacker, then came the 2026 NFL Draft.
Miraculously, Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, widely regarded as one of the top defensive prospects in the entire class, fell to them at No. 5.
General manager Joe Schoen said after the draft that Reese was the highest-graded non-quarterback on their draft board, and there was no way they could pass on him.
It was a great pick, and the Buckeye standout hopes to have a long and successful career in New York. But there’s one problem in the short term.
When is he going to have the chance to rush the passer?
Reese needs reps. He’s only 20 years old, and he mostly played off-ball linebacker at Ohio State.
With the Giants‘ embarrassment of riches off the edge, how will the competition between the four first-round picks on their roster shake out in training camp?
Giants OLB/Edge Competition Set to Entertain
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox called the New York Giants’ edge rusher competition one of the most exciting training camp battles in the league coming up this summer, and for good reason.
“It’ll be interesting to see how and if Reese fits into the edge equation alongside Burns, Carter, and Thibodeaux in camp, or if he begins his career as an off-ball linebacker alongside prized free-agent acquisition Tremaine Edmunds,” wrote Knox.
“Regardless of how the Giants plan to use Reese during his rookie season, their defensive front seven looks a lot better, on paper, than it did a few months ago. Of course, we are eager to learn about Reese’s role and what it might mean, if anything, for Thibodeaux’s future.”
The real conversation around competition centers on Reese, last year’s No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter, and 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux.
New York’s only edge rusher who doesn’t have to worry about his role? Brian Burns.
Burns earned his first All-Pro nod last season, recording career-highs in sacks (16.5), and quarterback hits (31).
He has nothing to worry about heading into training camp. Burns is the Giants’ premier pass-rushing threat.
It’s Reese, Carter, and Thibodeaux who will be fighting for reps, and there may already be an odd-man out.
Who Will Claim the Starting Spot Opposite Brian Burns?
Considering Reese is still raw as an NFL pass rusher, it makes sense that the New York Giants are planning on using him mostly as an off-ball linebacker to start his career.
He’ll play alongside Tremaine Edmunds and moonlight as a pass rusher in certain packages and situations.
The real competition lies between Carter and Thibodeaux, and even then, it feels fairly one-sided.
Thibodeaux has been at the center of trade conversations dating back to last season, and it felt like a deal was close to getting done around the 2026 NFL Draft.
New York has to trade the former Oregon standout, but considering the amount of money he’s owed in 2026 ($14.75 million), he seems like the obvious choice.
Carter is still on his rookie contract and showed tantalizing upside in 2025 despite not stuffing the stat sheet. His pressure rate was off the charts.
The Giants’ edge competition will certainly be an entertaining one, even if Thibodeaux ends up getting dealt.
One thing is for sure: New York has no shortage of defensive weapons to work with heading into 2026.
Giants Face Critical Decision With NFL’s Top Training Camp Competition