The New York Giants entered the 2026 NFL Draft with eight picks over the three-day event.
With two picks in the top 10, they kicked off the John Harbaugh era by adding potential cornerstones to the defense and offense. The Giants selected Ohio State LB Arvell Reese at No. 5 overall and Miami OT Francis Mauigoa a few picks later at No. 10. Reese is another piece on a defense with talent to build around, even after trading Dexter Lawrence. Mauigoa fills a need at guard as New York believes it has a protector for QB Jaxson Dart.
While those two selections help set the tone of Harbaugh’s first year at the helm, wide receiver or an offensive playmaker is another big need to help set up Dart for success.
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for grades and analysis of each Giants pick.
Round 1No. 5: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio StateHow he fits
Reese was the No. 1 player in Dane Brugler’s rankings. That type of talent fits on any team.
It will be interesting to see the Giants’ immediate plans for Reese, as they’ll need to be creative to get him on the field with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Reese selection makes Thibodeaux, who has been on the trade block all offseason, more expendable.
Reese’s versatility will give defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson options. The 6-4, 241-pounder can play off-ball linebacker and on the edge. Reese’s long-term home will be determined by how he adjusts to the NFL.
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A starter for one-and-a-half years at Ohio State, Reese was a hybrid outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s multiple fronts. After spending time at edge defender and Mike linebacker as an underclassman, he became a joker defender in Patricia’s scheme in 2025. That role primarily asked him to be stacked, with some reps walked out and some on the edge. Box-score scouts will be unimpressed by his production, but his stats don’t accurately reflect his on-field impact, because he was primarily used as a spy and read player. Reese emerged as the Big Ten Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year and became the first consensus All-America linebacker at Ohio State since James Laurinaitis (Reese’s position coach for the Buckeyes).
An impressive height/weight/speed athlete, Reese — who is also one of the youngest prospects in the draft class — was asked to play a blend of multiple positions, which showcased his vast tools for NFL scouts. He is explosive from his spot and has exceptional closing burst to cover ground in a blink. He can create short corners as a rusher, but will need time to become more of a pass-rush technician, in terms of setting up and sequencing different moves. He uses his length to anchor as an edge setter and skillfully deconstructs blocks with elusive movements or violent, well-timed hands.
Dan Duggan’s analysis
Ohio State’s Arvell Reese selected by New York Giants with No. 5 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
No. 10 (from Cincinnati): Francis Mauigoa, OT, MiamiHow he fits
The biggest question is if the Giants view Mauigoa as a guard or want to keep him at tackle. As Brugler noted, his college tape says he can stay outside at right tackle but his skill set would be used inside. The Giants need a right guard and he could fill that spot nightly. But Mauigoa is ready to take on the role of protector for quarterback Jaxson Dart. When asked about his message for the quarterback, Mauigoa told ESPN, “I’m ready to die for you, man.”
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A three-year starter at Miami, Mauigoa was a mainstay at right tackle in offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson’s balanced scheme. A former five-star recruit, he earned a starting role from day one and started all 42 games the past three seasons (he led the Hurricanes in snaps played in both 2024 and 2025). A consensus All-American his final season, he was a pivotal part of Miami’s run to the 2025 national title game and became the first Miami player since 2005 (Eric Winston) to earn the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC’s top blocker.
A wide-bodied blocker and “Freaks List” alum, Mauigoa carries his weight well. He doesn’t have elite length or foot quickness, but he plays with a relaxed feel in space to mirror and put rushers in a vise. He stays centered in pass sets and has a sturdy anchor to make defenders pay for trying to go through him. He gets in trouble lunging in the run game but plays stout through his extension to seal inside/outside run lanes.
Charlotte Carroll’s analysis
Miami OT Francis Mauigoa selected by New York Giants with No. 10 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Round 2No. 37: Colton Hood, CB, TennesseeHow he fits
The Giants lost cornerback Cor’Dale Flott in free agency, which left a major void after his emergence last season. Hood has the potential to replace Flott immediately and long term.
The 6-foot, 193-pound Hood thrived in a man-heavy scheme at Tennessee. He’ll be comfortable playing press coverage in defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson’s system. Hood ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, so he has the requisite speed to cover receivers deep. He’s a capable and willing tackler, which is a prerequisite in John Harbaugh’s defense. Hood will compete for a starting job as a rookie with the hopes he develops into a long-term starter.
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A one-year starter at Tennessee, Hood was an outside cornerback in former defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ man-heavy scheme. After one season at Auburn and another at Colorado, he transferred to Knoxville for the 2025 season and quickly earned the respect of SEC receivers (Georgia receivers Dillon Bell and Colbie Young both said Hood was the best corner they faced in college).
Despite not becoming a defensive player until his junior year of high school, Hood plays comfortably in man-to-man on an island. He competes with the physicality of a bigger and longer player, and he looks to reroute receivers from the jump. He needs to shore up some of his technique and become more consistent in finding the football, but he isn’t a passive or athletically deficient player. He’s also shown promise with his hunting eyes from off coverage and reliable tackling skills.
Dan Duggan’s analysis
New York Giants select cornerback Colton Hood with 37th pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Round 3No. 74 (from Cleveland): Malachi Fields, WR, Notre DameHow he fits
The future of the Giants’ wide receiver position was barren except for 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers. The Giants will be able to dump wide receiver Darius Slayton after this season, while Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin are on one-year contracts. So Fields has a direct path to being the No. 2 receiver in the near future. Those veterans will prevent the Giants from leaning on Fields as a rookie, but he should carve out a role due to his unique body type.
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A one-year starter at Notre Dame (and three-year starter overall), Fields was the boundary receiver in offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s scheme. A high school quarterback, he transitioned well to receiver at Virginia before transferring to the Irish for his final season in 2025. His targets and production took a nosedive with a freshman at quarterback (he didn’t record a 100-yard receiving game in 2025), although he produced several memorable plays.
Fields flashes both build-up speed and short-area juice, along with a go-and-get-it gear when the ball is in the air. He displays impressive reflexes at the catch point and deftly takes advantage of every inch of his frame to reel in throws. NFL coaches will like the way he uses his hands and feet to gain a step of separation out of breaks, although they will want to see him expand his route proficiency (there is a healthy amount of hitches and go routes all over his tape).
Dan Duggan’s analysis
Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields selected by Giants at No. 74 in 2026 NFL Draft
Round 4
No picks
Round 5
No picks
Round 6
No. 186
No. 192 (from Miami)
No. 193 (from Dallas)
Round 7
No picks