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The New York Giants had two picks in the top 10 of the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and with each selection, they took one of the top-rated prospects on the board. However, each of those picks has already been questioned by many within the fanbase and many analysts around the media world.
With their first pick at No. 5 overall, the Giants selected Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese. Though Reese was expected to go within the top three picks, the Giants had him fall into their laps at No. 5. There were immediate questions as to where the team would play him, having Abdul Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux already on the roster.
Head coach John Harbaugh wasn't concerned with these thoughts, stating that the team will play Reese at John="" Harbaugh="" says="" the="" Giants="" WILL="" play="" Arvell="" Reese="" at="" inside="" linebacker="" and="" pic.twitter.com/mhZJPFMfMT
However, the biggest reason the Giants could end up regretting the pick may not have anything to do with Mauigoa.
Should the Giants have taken Caleb Downs at No. 10?
Caleb Downs, a safety from Ohio State, was considered by some to be the best defensive player in this draft. The idea of the Giants adding him to a defense that was already good coming into the draft, along with the selection of Reese, could have made this the most dynamic defense in football.
It's understandable that the Giants wanted a better option at offensive tackle. The team needs to work on protecting Jaxson Dart, who is clearly the future of this team. But Downs looks like a can't-miss prospect that every team would love to have.
But to make matters worse, right after the Giants selected Mauigoa, the Dallas Cowboys traded with the Miami Dolphins to capitalize by drafting Downs. Now, not only is he not on the Giants' roster, but he's on the roster of one of their biggest rivals.
Current Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers seemed to know it was a bad move.
Malik Nabers' reaction to the Cowboys trading up and drafting Caleb Downs 👀 pic.twitter.com/dgyuC2ocJ5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 24, 2026And that's Nabers speaking publicly. If he hadn't been recorded, that would have been much worse. Colin Cowherd called him an "Ed Reed-level player". Giants fans better hope that comparison doesn't come anywhere close to being accurate.
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