New York Giants rookie Arvell Reese turned in the best performance of his young career on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Reese, one of the league's more productive rookies all season, finished with 3.0 sacks, 12 total tackles, and a forced fumble.

On Wednesday, he was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 9 showing.

Reese also made history with the performance. He became the youngest player in NFL history to record 3.0 sacks in a single game and the first rookie to post 10-plus tackles, three-plus sacks and a forced fumble in the same contest.

The Giants selected Reese fifth overall in the 2026 NFL draft after he unexpectedly fell to that spot. Many observers immediately questioned how he would fit on a defense that already had a surplus of edge rushers. The Giants were confident they could deploy him as an inside linebacker, and the move has worked out. Reese has made an immediate impact, impressing throughout the offseason and showing his value just eight games into his NFL career.

Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has moved Reese around the field to exploit his speed. Sunday’s three-sack game may be a sign of what's to come if the Giants keep using him in blitz packages.

While this is Reese's first NFC Defensive Player of the Week honor, he has been one of the best players on the Giants' defense throughout his rookie season. He will certainly be in the conversation as a leading candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. It is still early, but the Giants are already seeing the caliber of player Reese can be, and it appears they hit a grand slam with the selection.