It’s setting up to be a long, hot summer here on the east coast. It’s being made even longer by the fact that we’re still about a month away from the New York Giants training camp.
The folks over at ESPN took the opportunity to poll their beat writers for each team and get their early impressions of the NFL’s first round picks. So far Jordan Raanan has been impressed with both of the Giants’ first rounders, so we’ll go in reverse order and start with offensive lineman Sisi Mauigoa.
10. Francis Mauigoa,
OT, Miami
Mauigoa plugged in immediately at right guard next to tackle Jermaine Eluemunor with the first-team offense in the spring. Mauigoa’s desire to learn and impressive physical talent stood out to Eluemunor. It’s hard to imagine, considering his size and body composition, that Mauigoa isn’t immediately a plus run blocker from the start during his rookie season.
If we’re being honest, there’s only so much an offensive lineman can show before the pads go on. The Giants’ practices have been more intense than we’re used to seeing at this point on the calendar, but there’s still not any real hitting.
Still, it’s a positive sign that Mauigoa has attacked learning how to be a pro and learning the Giants’ playbook. It’s also a good sign that the early indications are that he’ll (at least) be a strong run blocker as a rookie. Greg Roman simply loves the power run game, and one of the reasons he’s not with the Chargers anymore is that, as good as their offensive line is, they didn’t have the players to play they way he wants. Mauigoa, along with Andrew Thomas and Eluemunor, should be a much better fit for the run plays that Roman dreams up.
5. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Reese looks the part. Even on an NFL field, he stands out physically with his size (6-foot-4, 241 pounds), especially at inside linebacker where he’s playing. The Ohio State product impressed with his ability to cover and run with running backs. Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns said he was surprised by that part of his game and that he didn’t know it existed. The Giants were also happy with how Reese handled the mental aspect of the spring.
Like with Mauigoa, there’s only so much we can learn about a linebacker — inside or outside — before the pads go on. But it’s still a good sign that the athleticism we saw on tape at Ohio State and at the NFL Scouting Combine is translating to an NFL field and against NFL players.
Reese’s versatility and ability to handle the mental load could make him a key piece for the Giants’ defense and help him hit his stride quickly as a rookie. We’ve seen that the most “pro ready” rookies, players like Justin Pugh or Odell Beckham Jr., aren’t just the ones with the most athletic upside. But rather they’re the ones who have the mental intangibles to quickly pick up NFL playbooks and process the game at NFL speed.
About a month ago I wrote that Reese could be the key to the Giants’ defense in 2026 (and beyond).
One of the major challenges facing modern defenses is figuring out ways to contain high octane passing attacks without compromising run defense. One of the solutions has been to use versatile second level defenders to change from even to odd (ie: a 4 to 5-man) fronts underneath two-deep shells (Cover 2 or Cover 4). In addition to Reese’s explosiveness and bend as a pass rusher, his ability to play on the line of scrimmage or drop into coverage gives the Giants the same kind of versatility other teams are getting with hybrid safeties.
It could be a very good sign for Dennard Wilson’s group that Reese not only seems to fits right in with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Tremaine Edmunds, but is already impressing the Giants’ coaching staff with his Football IQ.
Training camp and the preseason are taking their sweet time getting here, but they could be very fun this year.
