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Under-pressure New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen had a surprising plan for Arvell Reese in the 2026 NFL draft.

His time with the New York Giants may be running out, but beleaguered general manager Joe Schoen could sign off having played a surprising part in the team selecting Arvell Reese in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Schoen was supposed to lose final say in personnel matters to new head coach John Harbaugh, but the man in the front office had a plan for roving game-wrecker Reese as early as August 2025.

Reese heading to the Giants as the fifth-overall pick caught many off guard, including star wide receiver Malik Nabers, but Schoen was the least surprised. That’s because he’d been thoroughly scouting Reese for months, even coming up with rough ideas about the player’s role with Big Blue.

Those ideas became more detailed once Harbaugh was hired, according to a report outlining Schoen’s strong influence on the pick. A report put out before subsequent news Schoen might face the sack before he’ll get to see what Reese can do in a Giants uniform.

Joe Schoen Coveted Arvell Reese Pick

Inside information on the process that led to Reese, and Schoen’s over-arching role, was provided by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. He explained how “With Reese, it actually begins in late August, with GM Joe Schoen starting his annual Labor Day weekend swing through college football in Columbus. Ahead of his trip to see the Ohio State–Texas showdown, Schoen was watching tape of the two teams, and a backup linebacker wearing No. 20 jumped off the screen. On a national championship defense that had all 11 starters drafted, Reese’s size, strength, length and play-making ability kept showing up, even in limited chances he got as a 19-year-old reserve.”

Being impressed and intrigued by what he saw from Reese was just the start for Schoen. The latter soon set about sketching out how the Giants would use the dynamic Buckeyes disruptor, if he fell their way on Draft day.

Breer noted “Schoen had Reese, switching to No. 8 and becoming a starter, circled. And getting to see him in pads that weekend, against then top-ranked Texas, and how big, long and effortlessly athletic he looked in his first game as a full-time starter stuck with the GM. The Buckeye defense throttled Arch Manning that day, became the nation’s best, and Reese emerged as an All-American whose explosiveness, violence and versatility stood out in a crew of freaks.”

Schoen had a very clear idea of why he wanted to pick Reese. Even before Harbaugh arrived and seemingly assumed control of personnel matters.

Harbaugh and his chosen defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson merely rubber-stamped Schoen’s ideas about Reese, according to Breer. More agreement was easily reached when Reese “was even with (running back Jeremiyah) Love as the Giants’ highest-graded non-quarterback in the draft, and the pick, by the time Harbaugh, Schoen & Co. got the clock, became an easy one.”

This was how things were supposed to work between Schoen and Harbaugh. Particularly after the former Baltimore Ravens head coach had spoken glowingly about Schoen’s approach.

All seems well on the surface, but there’s still reason to believe Schoen won’t get to see his vision for Reese through.

Giants Braced for Post-Draft Changes

Reports Schoen will be fired sooner, rather than later, won’t shock many. Not after the embattled front-office chief built the rosters that went 23-46-1 during the four seasons before Harbaugh’s arrival.

Schoen was lucky to keep his job in this context, and rumors of simmering tensions with Harbaugh could make his reprieve short-lived. If so, that would leave Harbaugh to chiefly safeguard Reese’s development.

The first task will be clearly defining a role for the rookie in a crowded rotation. A group led by 16.5-sack Pro Bowler Brian Burns, 2025 No. 3 pick Abdul Carter and another Schoen-approved top-five choice, Kayvon Thibodeaux.

It’s a crowded field, but Harbaugh has already outlined where Reese fits. Ironically, it’s roughly where Schoen initially envisaged the player starting his career with the Giants.

The architect of this pick may not be around long enough to see his strategy work, but Reese can be Schoen’s parting gift.