Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, many questions arose about what the New York Giants would do, especially after trading former All-Pro Dexter Lawrence for the 10th overall pick.
With their two top 10 selections, as well as trading into the third round, the Giants showed great aggression for their needs.
But, with these premier picks and the rest of the Draft, how did Joe Schoen and John Harbaugh fare?
Pick No. 5, Arvell Reese: A
New York’s move for the hybrid defender from Ohio State may have surprised many fans, but the talent is clear.
Although some view Reese as an edge rusher, it’s clear that the G-Men plan for him to play inside linebacker.
His otherworldly strength, fluidity, and burst make him one of the best athletes on the field in Week 1. Reese’s special athletic blend gives him exceptional potential to do anything on the field, including being an excellent QB spy, run stuffer, and cause for chaos in the middle of the field.
With his inconsistent snaps at linebacker, he is far from fully developed at the position. His tape in the pass game is full of late reactions and gambling against throws. But with a more full-time role, many of Reese’s flaws will surely get fixed. This pick gives the Giants defense much-needed dynamism, as well as a high-end starter in Year 1.
Pick No. 10, Francis Mauigoa: B+
The pick from their blockbuster move addressed a desperate need: an offensive guard.
Although he played tackle at Miami, Mauigoa can reach his maximum potential on the interior. His dominant strength, textbook hand placement, and footwork give him all the tools to switch positions. New York identified these traits as valuable and has already defined his role with the team as such.
One of Mauigoa’s only noticeable weaknesses at the tackle position was the periodic struggle to keep up with hyper-athletic edge rushers. Since he will no longer have to try to keep up with the speed rushers, his game becomes much more well-rounded.
There are some reasons his grade isn’t higher, but the main one has nothing to do with Mauigoa.
Passing up on safety, Caleb Downs, arguably the best player in the Draft, is a clear miss from the front office. Even though both players address positional needs, Downs is nothing short of a generational safety talent that would have more than made up for losing Dexter Lawrence on defense.
Nonetheless, the selection of Mauigoa is solid and will help solidify the Giants’ ascending offensive line.
Pick 37, Colton Hood: B
The Tennessee cornerback is another addition that is filling a dire need.
Hood is a physical press corner who will be a useful starter on Day 1. He was a top-end corner in 2025, allowing just 318 yards, one touchdown, and a 70.8 NFL passer rating when targeted, per PFF. His combination of physicality and mirroring skill always makes him a force at the catch point.
With this profound aggressiveness in press coverage, the receivers can take advantage. They can occasionally use his leverage to create space and get an easy target. Additionally, Hood can be found taking plays off, primarily in the run game. That lack of effort can be consequential; the receiver does not have to worry about his blocking assignment, and the runner has one less body to fret.
All-around, Hood will provide some necessary physical play and strength and is an overall good addition to the lacking defensive back room.
Pick 74, Malachi Fields: C-
New York’s trade-up for the Notre Dame receiver was quite aggressive.
However, Fields is an intriguing new weapon for Jaxson Dart. At 6-foot-4, his downfield traits and surefire hands are plenty to work with. His array of over-the-shoulder and post catches will give a new, more electrifying layer to the young offense. Some of his numbers may not be eye-popping, but, according to PFF, he had 11 contested and an average depth of target of 16.4 yards.
Despite his strengths, there are also some glaring issues. His limited route tree, including little presence in the middle of the field, raises concerns about how often Fields will see targets. Furthermore, his lack of speed and lackluster release will only worsen this issue.
With all of this in mind, including the trade price, the cost of Fields may be greater than the reward.
Pick 186, Bobby Jamison-Travis: C+
This far into the Draft, getting a solid piece for the 53-man roster is a win. Jamison-Travis, a big-body defensive tackle from Auburn, is in a perfect situation to do that.
The departure of Lawrence has created a gaping hole in the defensive tackle position for the Giants. Jamison-Travis can solidify his niche on the team, using his monster length and size to fill space in the run game and batting passes.
Of course, there are plenty of flaws in his game, as there are in any sixth-rounder. His slow first step, inability to play many consecutive snaps, and lack of a pass rush put a firm ceiling on him. On top of all that, he will be 25 by the start of the season.
It will surely be an uphill battle for Jamison-Travis, but some improved conditioning and stellar run game play can get him a spot on the roster.
Pick 192, J.C. Davis: A
Davis has multiple eye-popping parts to his game. The Illinois tackle can manhandle anyone, always honing his size and length against defenders. He creates significant space in the run game, especially in zone runs. Furthermore, he can hold his own in the pass game. His strength allows him to hold his own with any defender, even with his speed questions.
With his slow and choppy footwork, a switch to guard would increase his potential. Giving up 18 pressures and three sacks in 2025, the production is good enough to work with and improve upon.
Davis’ athletic tools and size give him a real chance to contend for a starting guard spot in the coming years.
Pick 193, Jack Kelly: B-
The BYU linebacker is a true mixed bag.
On one hand, Kelly is a phenomenal blitzer, racking up 10 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss last season. He does well at executing stunts, predicting where the quarterback will go, and getting the QB uncomfortable.
On the other hand, there isn’t much else to his game.
He fills the run at times, but not consistently enough to be considered a real run stuffer. He is uninvolved in the pass game as well, with his late reaction time and average speed causing many of his issues. Possibly his most egregious fault is his missed tackles. According to PFF, he had a missed tackle percentage of 21.9 in 2025.
In spite of these drawbacks, his blitzing is great enough to give a real fight for a roster spot in the preseason.
Overall, the New York Giants had a fairly successful 2026 NFL Draft, recognizing and managing many of their roster needs.
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