Giants NFL Draft 2026: Why did New York select Arvell Reese, Francis Mauigoa?

Francis Mauigoa | Getty Images The New York Giants did not enter Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night expecting to come away with linebacker Arvell Reese and offensive linemen Francis Mauigoa. Even after GM Joe Schoen ran a “zillion” scenarios, according to head coach John Harbaugh. “Reality is stranger than fiction,” Harbaugh said.

So, why did the Giants pick those two players. They certainly had other choices. Just ask Malik Nabers .

Let’s let Schoen and Harbaugh tell us why. Arvell Reese (No. 5) The Giants could have taken safety Caleb Downs here, and no one would have been shocked.

They could have taken wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. They could have taken Sonny Styles. They could have taken Mauigoa.