Ohio State linebackers Reese and Styles meet after strong NFL starts
Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, former Ohio State teammates taken in the 2026 top 10, have quickly become central to the Giants and Commanders defenses. Their first four games suggest New York had a strong option either way.
The New York Giants visit the Washington Commanders on Sunday in Week 5, bringing two No. 52 linebackers into focus. Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles were teammates at Ohio State and first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. They became the first college linebacker teammates to go in the top 10 of the same draft.
The Giants selected Reese fifth overall, with Styles also available. Through four games, Reese has 33 tackles, including a league-leading 26 solo stops. In New York’s 36-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals, he recorded nine tackles, a tackle for loss, three passes defended and his first career interception. The NFL named him its Week 4 Rookie of the Week. His production helped the Giants start 3-1 despite quarterback Jaxson Dart missing nearly three full games. New York is among the league’s top 10 defenses in yards and points allowed through Week 4.
Reese’s versatility has become more valuable after edge rusher Brian Burns was ruled out for the season with a torn ACL. Burns had 16.5 sacks in his All-Pro campaign last year. Reese is primarily an off-ball linebacker, but can contribute as a pass rusher and line up on the line of scrimmage. He did so on 11 of 52 snaps in his debut, even with Burns healthy. The Giants had depth on the edge with Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux, but Burns’ injury has made Reese’s range more important.
Styles has made a major impact in Washington too. He earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping the Commanders beat the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. Styles recorded an interception, forced a fumble and defended two passes, becoming the first rookie linebacker in franchise history to combine those plays in one game. His 17.9% pressure rate leads rookie defenders with at least 25 pass-rush snaps, according to the source’s Next Gen Stats figures. Washington blitzes frequently and regularly sends Styles after the quarterback. In one play, he brought down Saquon Barkley for a sack.
Injuries have added to both rookies’ responsibilities. Washington’s Leo Chenal and Jordan Magee are on injured reserve, leaving Styles, Frankie Luvu and Kain Medrano as the team’s only available inside linebackers. Styles also wears the green dot and relays defensive calls, a substantial assignment after only four games. New York’s need for Reese has similarly grown with Burns sidelined.
Early comparisons do not show that the Giants made the wrong call. Pro Football Focus ranks Styles third and Reese ninth among 74 qualified linebackers in coverage. Both are among the top five rookie linebackers by overall defensive grade. Styles’ coverage edge is offset by Reese’s more natural pass rush, while Washington’s blitz scheme gives Styles chances to pressure quarterbacks. DraftKings lists Reese at +275 and Styles at +750 for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Those are early assessments based on four games, not a final verdict on either career. Sunday’s matchup adds another data point, but both teams can be encouraged by their choice.
