The New York Giants' linebacker Arvell Reese is projected to finish among the rookie leaders in total tackles next season, according to ESPN's Mike Clay. Reese is predicted to finish No. 2 among all rookies with 116 total tackles, closely behind Washington Commanders' linebacker Sonny Styles, who is projected to finish No. 1 with 123 total tackles. This projection is particularly interesting given the high number of tackles Styles is expected to make, which would be the sixth most among rookies over the past decade. The large number isn't by accident, as Styles is expected to replace Bobby Wagner as a near-every-down player in the middle of Washington's defense. Reese, who was selected before Styles, has a less clear role, as he could be more of an edge or an off-ball linebacker. Reese recorded 69 total tackles in 2025 for the Buckeyes and will get the chance to translate his standout level of production to the NFL level next to Tremaine Edmunds in New York's defense next season. This projection is a significant development for Reese, who will be active in the second line of defense as the team's starting inside linebacker. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential for Reese to make a significant impact in the NFL, given his strong performance in college. In my opinion, Reese's ability to translate his production to the NFL level is a testament to his talent and potential. However, it remains to be seen whether he can maintain this level of performance in the NFL, given the higher level of competition and the challenges of the professional game. One thing that immediately stands out is the contrast between Reese and Styles, who are both projected to be among the top rookies in total tackles. While Styles is expected to make a significant impact in the middle of Washington's defense, Reese will be active in the second line of defense as the team's starting inside linebacker. This raises a deeper question about the role of inside linebackers in modern football and the potential for Reese to make a significant impact in this role. A detail that I find especially interesting is the potential for Reese to make a significant impact in the NFL, given his strong performance in college. What this really suggests is that Reese has the talent and potential to make a significant impact in the NFL, but it remains to be seen whether he can maintain this level of performance in the professional game. If you take a step back and think about it, it's clear that the NFL is a highly competitive league, and the ability to translate college performance to the professional level is a significant challenge. Reese's projection is a testament to his talent and potential, but it remains to be seen whether he can maintain this level of performance in the NFL. This raises a deeper question about the role of inside linebackers in modern football and the potential for Reese to make a significant impact in this role. In conclusion, the projection of Reese to finish among the rookie leaders in total tackles is a significant development for the New York Giants and a testament to his talent and potential. However, it remains to be seen whether he can maintain this level of performance in the NFL, given the higher level of competition and the challenges of the professional game. This raises a deeper question about the role of inside linebackers in modern football and the potential for Reese to make a significant impact in this role.
