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The New York Giants were armed with two top-10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the new regime led by head coach John Harbaugh showed off its focus in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
With the fifth overall pick, the Giants saw Ohio State’s star running back Arvell Reese fall to them and pulled the trigger, taking their third first-round lead since 2022.
Then, with the No. 10 overall pick, the Giants had a chance to take another defensive star from the Buckeyes, while safety Caleb Downs fell down the draft board. But it’s clear the Giants are protecting their future, quarterback Jaxson Dart, as they moved on to the offensive line with their next pick.
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Ohio State’s Arvell Reese celebrates after being selected with the fifth overall pick by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 23, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa was called out of the NFL Draft green room in Pittsburgh with the 10th overall pick. While he played tackle with the Hurricanes, Mauigoa is expected to move to the interior offensive line.
The Giants re-signed Jermaine Eluemunor, who starred as the team’s right tackle in 2025, during free agency. He is expected to remain in that role, but the Giants have question marks at guard and there is a belief that Mauigoa can move inside.
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In some mock drafts that began Thursday, Reese was projected to go second overall behind the New York Jets. But the Jets went with Texas Tech’s David Bailey.
From there, the Arizona Cardinals took Jeremiyah Love, making him the highest-drafted running back since the Giants took Saquon Barkley in 2018. The Tennessee Titans took wide receiver Carnell Tate, the first Buckeyes player off the board, and Reese fell into their laps.
Giants receiver Malik Nabers, who appeared on a draft show alongside Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons, questioned where Reese would play considering Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter, the team’s third overall pick a year ago, play edge rusher.
But Harbaugh hinted at the plan to convert Reese to inside linebacker, an area of need on the Giants’ defense. If that’s the plan, Reese’s athleticism, which has been on display throughout his career at Ohio State, will be put to the test at the NFL level.
Miami’s Francis Mauigoa celebrates after being selected with the 10th overall pick by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 23, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
As for Mauigoa, the 6-foot-5, 329-pound tackle was viewed as 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. He started all 16 games at right tackle for the Hurricanes.
However, there was an injury question surrounding Mauigoa as he has dealt with a back issue that may require surgery at some point in his professional career. Teams do their due diligence on these matters, and the Giants don’t seem worried about spending the pick on him.
This was the 10th overall pick the Giants acquired after trading All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, fulfilling their 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 warmed up to Giants fans, saying during his preliminary interview, “I’ll die for you, Jaxson Dart.” That’s the kind of energy Harbaugh, Dart and the rest of the Giants are looking for at an essential position on the football field.
