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The New York Giants were armed with two top-10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the new regime under head coach John Harbaugh showed a focus on the trenches on both sides of the ball.
With the fifth overall pick, the Giants saw Ohio State star Arvell Reese fall to them and they pulled the trigger, earning their third first-round advantage since 2022.
Then, with the No. 10 overall pick, the Giants had an opportunity to take another defensive star from the Buckeyes, as safety Caleb Downs fell down the draft board. But it’s clear the Giants are protecting their future quarterback Jaxson Dart by moving to the offensive line with their next pick.
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Arvell Reese of Ohio State celebrates after being selected as the fifth overall pick by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23, 2026. (Émilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa was called up from the NFL Draft green room in Pittsburgh as the No. 10 overall pick. While playing tackle with the Hurricanes, Mauigoa is expected to move to the interior offensive line.
The Giants re-signed Jermaine Eluemunor, who shined as the team’s right tackle in 2025, while he was on free agency. He is expected to stay in that role, but the Giants have question marks at guard and Mauigoa is believed to be able to move inside.
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In some mock drafts entering Thursday, Reese was projected to go second overall behind the New York Jets. But the Jets chose David Bailey from Texas Tech instead.
From there, the Arizona Cardinals went with Jeremiah Love, making him the highest-selected running back since the Giants took Saquon Barkley in 2018. The Tennessee Titans went with wide receiver Carnell Tate, the first Buckeyes player off the board, and Reese fell into their tricks.
Giants receiver Malik Nabers, making an appearance on a draft show alongside Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons, wondered where Reese would play given that Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter, the team’s No. 3 pick a year ago, would play edge rusher.
But Harbaugh hinted at the plan to make Reese an inside linebacker — an area of need for the Giants defense. If that’s the plan, Reese’s athleticism, which was demonstrated throughout his career at Ohio State, will be tested at the NFL level.
Francis Mauigoa of Miami celebrates after being selected with the tenth overall pick by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23, 2026. (Émilee Chinn/Getty Images)
As for Mauigoa, the 6-foot-5, 329-pound tackle has been considered one of the top offensive line prospects in this draft throughout the process.
Mauigoa was a first-team All-American selection last year for a Miami team that reached the national championship game. He started all 16 games at right tackle for the Hurricanes.
There was, however, an injury question surrounding Mauigoa, as he has been dealing with a back problem that could require surgery at some point in his professional career. Teams are doing their due diligence in these areas, and the Giants don’t seem concerned about spending the draft on him.
It was the 10th overall pick the Giants acquired after trading All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, fulfilling his trade request amid a contract dispute.
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese poses for a portrait during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23, 2026. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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Mauigoa has already put himself in the good graces of Giants fans, saying during his preliminary interview: “I’ll die for you, Jaxson Dart.” That’s the type of energy Harbaugh, Dart and the rest of the Giants are looking for at a vital position on the football field.
