We are diving into some IDP fantasy football content this offseason as we look to bring in all sorts of football fans to Bucs Wire. While offensive rookies tend to dominate fantasy football conversations, linebackers remain some of the most valuable assets in IDP leagues when they earn significant playing time.
Next up is New York Giants linebacker Arvell Reese.
Reese arrives in New York after a productive career at Ohio State, where he showcased the athleticism, range and versatility that NFL teams look for in modern linebackers. His final season with the Buckeyes demonstrated growth as a run defender and tackler, helping him earn a starting opportunity almost immediately after entering the league.
Depth Chart Situation
WLB
MLB
IDP Talent Around Him
2026 Stat Projections
Reason to Believe in Arvell Reese in 2026: A clear path to tackles
The biggest reason to believe in Reese as an IDP asset is opportunity. The Giants currently list him atop the weakside linebacker depth chart, putting him in position to see meaningful snaps from the start of his rookie season. Unlike many first-year defenders who must carve out rotational roles, Reese enters training camp with a realistic chance to remain on the field in a starting capacity.
His skill set fits the role well. Reese is an explosive athlete who covers ground quickly and has the range to impact plays from sideline to sideline. He showed improvement throughout his time at Ohio State, becoming more patient when diagnosing plays and more consistent when going downhill against the run. His ability to stay active with his hands and work through traffic helped him become a more reliable defender as his experience grew.
The production supports the projection. Reese earned an 86.5 run-defense grade and an 85.6 tackling grade during his final college season while missing only four tackles. He recorded 34 defensive stops and demonstrated the ability to contribute in multiple ways, whether attacking downhill, dropping into coverage, or occasionally rushing the passer. That versatility is important because it creates more paths to fantasy production.
The environment around him should help as well. The Giants feature one of the league’s more disruptive edge duos in Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, while veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds handles responsibilities in the middle of the defense. That combination could allow Reese to play fast and attack the football rather than constantly having to take on blockers.
2026 Outlook
Among the rookie defenders entering the league this season, Reese has one of the most attractive redraft profiles. Starting linebackers with strong tackling ability often outperform rookie edge rushers in fantasy football because tackles provide a more stable weekly floor.
Fantasy managers should view Reese as a late-round LB4 with upside to finish as an LB3 if he maintains a full-time role throughout the season. His combination of projected snaps, tackling efficiency, and athletic range gives him a legitimate chance to become one of the better rookie values in IDP formats during 2026.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Arvell Reese fantasy outlook for 2026: IDP rookie profile
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