Giants, Odell Beckham Jr. Undecided On Potential Reunion
Odell Beckham Jr. has played for five teams in his 10-year NFL career, but the majority of his success came as a member of the Giants from 2014-18. Although the free agent wide receiver has not suited up since Dec. 8, 2024, the Giants brought him in for a workout on Monday. While head coach John Harbaugh said Beckham “looked good,” it is unclear if the 33-year-old will rejoin the Giants.
“We’re not decided on that yet, he’s not quite decided on that yet,’’ Harbaugh revealed (via Paul Schwartz of the New York Post). “I think we just have to kind of see where we’re at this next week.’’
The Giants entered this week’s draft needing at least one receiver. After addressing other weaknesses with their first three selections, they traded up 31 picks to grab former Notre Dame wideout Malachi Fields in the third round. Fields is now part of a receiving corps that also includes Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, free agent signings Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin, and 2023 third-rounder Jalin Hyatt, among others. If the Giants are not fully content with their current group, they could take a cheap flier on Beckham or another available veteran.
A first-rounder of the Giants 12 years ago, Beckham earned all three of his Pro Bowl nods and his two second-team All-Pro selections in their uniform. Among pass catchers, the former LSU star ranks second in franchise history in yards (5,467) and fourth in both receptions (390) and touchdowns (44). Beckham largely shined as a Giant, but they cut ties in a March 2019 trade with the Browns. The deal delivered a first-round pick (No. 17), which the Giants used on Dexter Lawrence, among other assets.
Beckham played a full season and hauled in 74 catches for 1,035 yards in his first year in Cleveland, but he has not approached those numbers since then. Various injuries limited Beckham to 44 of a possible 84 regular-season games from 2020-24. In addition to the Browns, he spent time with the Rams, Ravens and Dolphins during that five-year run. While he was effective during his short stint with the Rams in 2021, he tore his ACL in Super Bowl LVI. Beckham caught a touchdown in the Rams’ 23-20 triumph over the Bengals, but he has not reached those heights since.
After sitting out 2022 to rehab his knee injury, Beckham returned to post decent complementary production with the Harbaugh-coached Ravens in 2023. Beckham snagged 35 receptions for 565 yards (16.1 YPC) and three TDs in Baltimore, but he made no impact in a nine-game, nine-catch year with the Dolphins in 2024. Although Beckham did not find a job last season, he still served a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
2026 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
Here is every team’s haul from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 3: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
- Round 2, No. 34: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 65: Carson Beck (QB, Miami)
- Round 4, No. 104: Kaleb Proctor (DT, Southeastern Louisiana)
- Round 5, No. 143: Reggie Virgil (WR, Texas Tech)
- Round 6, No. 183: Karson Sharar (LB, Iowa)
- Round 7, No. 217: Jayden Williams (T, Ole Miss)
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 2, No. 48: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
- Round 3, No. 79: Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia)
- Round 4, No. 134 (from Raiders)*: Kendal Daniels (LB, Oklahoma)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Bills via Jets and Raiders): Anterio Thompson (DT, Washington)
- Round 6, No. 215) (from Eagles)*: Harold Perkins (LB, LSU)
- Round 7, No. 231: Ethan Onianwa (T, Ohio State)
Baltimore Ravens
- Round 1, No. 14: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
- Round 2, No. 45: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
- Round 3, No. 80: Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC)
- Round 4, No. 115: Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana)
- Round 4, No. 133 (from 49ers)*: Matthew Hibner (TE, SMU)
- Round 5, No. 162 (from Chargers): Chandler Rivers (CB, Duke)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 174*: Adam Randall (RB, Clemson)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Broncos via Jets, Vikings and Eagles): Ryan Eckley (P, Michigan State)
- Round 7, No. 250: Rayshaun Benny (DT, Michigan)
- Round 7, No. 253: Evan Beerntsen (G, Northwestern)
Buffalo Bills
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
- Round 2, No. 62: Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Raiders): Jude Bowry (T, Boston College)
- Round 4, No. 125 (from Bears via Chiefs and Patriots): Skylar Bell (WR, UConn)
- Round 4, No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU)
- Round 5, No. 167 (from Texans): Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina)
- Round 5, No. 181 (from Lions)*: Zane Durant (DT, Penn State)
- Round 7, No. 220 (from Jets): Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars, Browns and Bears): Tommy Doman (P, Florida)
- Round 7, No. 241 (from Bears): Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G, Texas A&M)
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, No. 19: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
- Round 2, No. 49 (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
- Round 3, No. 83: Chris Brazzell II (WR, Tennessee)
- Round 4, No. 129 (from Bears): Will Lee III (CB, Texas A&M)
- Round 5, No. 144 (from Titans via Panthers): Sam Hecht (C, Kansas State)
- Round 5, No. 151 (from Dolphins): Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State)
Chicago Bears
- Round 1, No. 25: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Round 2, No. 57: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
- Round 3, No. 69 (from Giants via Texans, Bills and Titans): Sam Roush (TE, Stanford)
- Round 3, No. 89: Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU)
- Round 4, No. 124 (from Jaguars via Panthers): Malik Muhammad (CB, Texas)
- Round 5, No. 166 (from 49ers via Eagles and Panthers): Keyshaun Elliott (LB, Arizona State)
- Round 6, No. 213 (from Seahawks via Jaguars, Lions and Bills): Jordan Van Den Berg (DT, Georgia Tech)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Round 2, No. 41: Cashius Howell (DE, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 72: Tacario Davis (CB, Washington)
- Round 4, No. 128 (from Texans via Lions and Bengals): Connor Lew (C, Auburn)
- Round 4, No. 140 (from Bengals): Colbie Young (WR, Georgia)
- Round 6, No. 189: Brian Parker II (C, Duke)
- Round 7, No. 221 (from Giants via Cowboys): Jack Endries (TE, Texas)
- Round 7, No. 226: Landon Robinson (DT, Navy)
Cleveland Browns
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU)
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, No. 11 (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)
- Round 1, No. 23 (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
- Round 3, No. 92 (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham (EDGE, Michigan)
- Round 4, No. 112: Drew Shelton (T, Penn State)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Falcons via Eagles): Devin Moore (CB, Florida)
- Round 5, No. 137 (from Eagles)*: LT Overton (EDGE, Alabama)
- Round 7, No. 218 (from Titans): Anthony Smith (WR, East Carolina)
2026 NFL Draft Results By Round
From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), here are the results from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Round 1
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
2) New York Jets: David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
3) Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
4) Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
5) New York Giants: Arvell Reese (LB/EDGE, Ohio State)
6) Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns): Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
7) Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
8) New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
9) Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
10) New York Giants (from Bengals): Francis Mauigoa (T, Miami)
11) Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs, (S, Ohio State)
12) Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys): Kadyn Proctor (T, Alabama)
13) Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
14) Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami)
16) New York Jets (from Colts): Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
17) Detroit Lions: Blake Miller (T, Clemson)
18) Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
19) Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
20) Philadelphia Eagles (from Packers via Cowboys): Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor (T, Arizona State)
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)
23) Dallas Cowboys (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
24) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
25) Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
26) Houston Texans (from Bills): Keylan Rutledge (G, Georgia Tech)
27) Miami Dolphins (from 49ers): Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
28) New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills): Caleb Lomu (T, Utah)
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
30) New York Jets (from Broncos via Dolphins and 49ers): Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
31) Tennessee Titans (from Patriots via Bills): Keldric Faulk (DE, Auburn)
32) Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price (RB, Notre Dame)
Round 2
33) San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De’Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
34) Arizona Cardinals: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
35) Buffalo Bills (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
36) Houston Texans (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
37) New York Giants: Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
38) Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes (S, Arizona)
39) Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
40) Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas (EDGE, Oklahoma)
41) Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
42) New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller (DT, Georgia)
43) Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
44) Detroit Lions (from Cowboys via Jets): Derrick Moore (EDGE, Michigan)
45) Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter (LB, Missouri)
47) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Colts): Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
48) Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
49) Carolina Panthers (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
50) New York Jets (from Lions): D’Angelo Ponds (CB, Indiana)
51) Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers): Jake Golday (LB, Cincinnati)
52) Green Bay Packers: Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
53) Indianapolis Colts (from Steelers): C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
54) Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)
55) New England Patriots (from Chargers): Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)
56) Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Boerkircher (TE, Texas A&M)
57) Chicago Bears: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
58) Cleveland Browns (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
59) Houston Texans: Marlin Klein (TE, Michigan)
60) Tennessee Titans (from Bills via Bears): Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
61) Los Angeles Rams: Max Klare (TE, Ohio State)
62) Buffalo Bills (from Broncos): Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
63) Los Angeles Chargers (from Patriots): Jake Slaughter, C (Florida)
64) Seattle Seahawks: Bud Clark (S, TCU)
Giants Add No. 74 From Browns, Draft WR Malachi Fields
The Giants have completed a 31-spot climb up the board in Round 3. They acquired No. 74 from the Browns and drafted Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields.
New York sent Cleveland Nos. 105, 145 and a 2027 fourth-round pick, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports. A few wideouts came off the board between the the Giants’ selection of cornerback Colton Hood at No. 37 and their trade-up with the Browns. The Giants had not addressed the position in the draft, leading them to make an aggressive move to reel in Fields. He joins Hood, linebacker/edge Arvell Reese (fifth overall) and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa (10th) as the first four picks of the John Harbaugh era.
Fields spent the majority of his college career at Virginia, where he played from 2021-24. A foot injury limited Fields to one game in his second year with the Cavaliers, but he bounced back to post back-to-back seasons of 50-plus catches, 800-plus yards and five touchdowns.
After earning a third-team All-ACC nod in 2024, Fields transferred to Notre Dame. While playing with a freshman quarterback, CJ Carr, Fields’ catch total dropped to 36 in 12 games. However, he amassed 630 yards on a stellar 17.5 YPC and logged his third five-TD season in a row.
Heading into the draft, both Dane Brugler of The Athletic (No. 58) and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network (No. 60) ranked Fields among the 60 best prospects in the class. The 6-foot-4, 218 pounder compares favorably to Michael Pittman Jr., per Brugler. Pittman is a six-year veteran with 485 catches and two 1,000-yard seasons on his resume. A similar career for Fields would be a nice outcome for the Giants, who are hoping he emerges as a formidable target for quarterback Jaxson Dart and a strong complement to No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers.
Giants Engaged In Kayvon Thibodeaux Trade Talks; Saints Showing Interest
6:57pm: While Thibodeaux could be on the move soon — he dropped a Paul Walker Furious 7 image on his Instagram after this latest rumor circulated — GM Joe Schoen said (via ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan) no trade is being discussed now.
5:13pm: Similar to their Mathias Kiwanuka and Jason Pierre-Paul first-round picks earlier this century, the Giants have stacked their edge-rushing corps by drafting Arvell Reese. That came after Abdul Carter arrived in New York despite the presences of Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
While the Giants are preparing to start Reese as an off-ball linebacker — presumably with pass-down rush responsibilities a la an early-career Von Miller — a logjam has formed here. The Giants may be prepared to resolve the issue tonight. They are engaged in trade talks on Thibodeaux, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports. The Saints are among the teams showing “strong interest.”
If the Giants do not move Thibodeaux, he might not have a starting role. A fascinating NASCAR package-style setup in which all four edge rushers share the field would generate intrigue — like the Giants’ JPP-Kiwanuka-Justin Tuck-Osi Umenyiora line did during the 2011 Super Bowl XLVI-winning season — but Thibodeaux’s name has come up in trade talks for several weeks. With one year left on his contract, the former No. 5 overall pick may soon need to relocate.
The Saints have been in on Thibodeaux since February, according to NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill. In late February, a report indicated the Giants were listening on the Oregon product. Days later, they were viewed as preferring to trade him. This was well before it was viewed likely that Reese — who was closely tied to the Jets at No. 2 overall — could fall to 5.
Although a potential early-Day 3 pick has been floated as satisfactory compensation, a recent report indicated the Giants were not prepared to accept anything south of a Day 2 choice for Thibodeaux. While Chase Young, Jaelan Phillips, Yannick Ngakoue and Dante Fowler generated third-rounders (or thirds and then something else) in contract years, Thibodeaux has been inconsistent as a pass rusher. He has one six-sack season on his resume, and that 11.5-sack 2023 season looks like an outlier. The Giants look to have vacillated on whether to keep or trade Thibodeaux this offseason, the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy adds. The Reese pick certainly stands to increase internal trade interest.
The Saints were connected to potentially trading up for Reese in Round 1. The Chiefs then viewed them as a threat for cornerback Mansoor Delane. But New Orleans did not move up the board and then left Rueben Bain Jr. there, choosing wideout Jordyn Tyson at No. 8. New Orleans returns Young and Carl Granderson but has not re-signed franchise sack kingpin Cameron Jordan, who is entering an age-37 season.
Thibodeaux, 25, is due fully guaranteed $14.75MM salary this season — his fifth-year option campaign — but is coming off a second straight injury-shortened year. After missing five games in 2024, he missed seven in ’25. It would be surprising if anyone offered more than a third-rounder for the former top prospect, and it is worth wondering if the Giants would accept a fourth-rounder and another Day 3 pick to finalize this deal. By engaging in talks now, the team appears to be hoping an EDGE-needy team will offer that elusive third to finish this process.
Texans Trade Up To Draft DT Kayden McDonald
The first draft of the second round comes early as the Texans move up two picks to draft Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. They trade places with the Raiders to make the pick, giving Las Vegas pick Nos. 38 & 91 in exchange for pick Nos. 36 & 117.
McDonald was widely expected to be the 2026 NFL Draft class’s only first-round interior defender, opting to attend the festivities in Pittsburgh, but slipped into Day 2 after seeing the Florida’s Caleb Banks and Clemson’s Peter Woods taken in the first round. With teams seeing his name near the top of the list of best remaining players throughout the day, it’s clear he was a priority for a few clubs. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Houston felt the need to trade up ahead of the Giants, a team they expected might take McDonald before they could in order to replace Dexter Lawrence.
After essentially redshirting in his first year with the Buckeyes, McDonald held a rotational role off the bench in the team’s 2024 championship run. 2025 was McDonald’s first and only season as a full-time starter, but the All-American defender showed enough in 14 games to prove he was NFL ready. The disruptive, explosive defensive tackle made plays all over the field for Ohio State notching 65 total tackles, three sacks, and nine tackles for loss. While he was able to produce in the pass rush, he really excelled as a run stopper.
The Texans had quite a few strong contributors on the defensive line last year, with Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai leading the way and Tim Settle rotating in. Settle made his way to Washington in free agency, setting up a perfect role for McDonald to fill as a rookie. Houston’s defense was one of the best in the league last year, and while McDonald has clear starting potential, he may benefit by starting slow in the NFL in a rotational role. If the Texans let Togiai walk in free agency after this year, McDonald will have a clear path to a starting role in Year 2.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
Giants To Play Arvell Reese At LB, Francis Mauigoa At G
The Giants let the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft come to them on Thursday night, landing two of the class’ most highly-regarded players in Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa.
Reese, 20, primarily lined up as an off-ball linebacker in college but has been tabbed for a move to edge rusher in the NFL. New York, though, has three-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns, last year’s No. 3 pick Abdul Carter, and 2022 No. 5 pick Kayvon Thibodeaux on the roster. There would be little room for Reese as an edge rusher as a rookie.
Instead, the Giants are planning to keep Reese off the ball to begin his career, head coach John Harbaugh said (via FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano). He will line up on the weak side, and his versatility will keep him involved in the pass rush.
General manager Joe Schoen said (via NFL insider Jordan Schultz) that Reese was the team’s top-ranked non-quarterback prospect, so New York was more than happy to draft him and figure out where to play him later.
Mauigoa lined up at right tackle for the Hurricanes, but his 33.25-inch arms is below typical NFL standards at the position. The Giants are also set at both tackle spots with Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor, who are both signed through the 2028 season. As a result, Mauigoa will slide inside to compete for a starting guard job, likely on the right side, per Vacchiano.
That comes with an obvious caveat: Mauigoa must be healthy. A disc issue in his back popped up during the pre-draft process, and though there have been positive updates around his status, there was some concern it would affect his stock. Perhaps it did, as he was frequently mocked in the top five picks but instead fell to the Giants at No. 10. They made their own assessment of Mauigoa’s health and came away satisfied.
“We’re comfortable with it,” Schoen said (via Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper), noting that the team now employs one of Mauigoa’s former trainers at Miami. That gives them additional information on the injury, which occurred during the 2025 season, and the confidence to spend their second first-rounder on the 20-year-old lineman.
Giants Could Trade Up From No. 37
The time leading up to the beginning of the draft’s second round is always filled with intrigue based on the potential for trades near the top of the order. Several teams will be worth watching closely in the opening stages of Day 2.
[RELATED: Round-By-Round Draft Tracker]
One of those could be the Giants. New York made a pair of top-10 selections on Thursday, and team’s next scheduled pick is No. 37. Many have pointed to a potential trade down on the Giants’ part as a way closing the gap between that selection and the team’s fourth-rounder (No. 105). Instead, a trade-up maneuver could be in store.
Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports there is “buzz around the NFL” that the Giants could pull off a small move up the board early tonight. While the team lacks a third-rounder to include in any deal, it has five Day 3 picks which could be used as capital to swing a trade. After making a notable addition on defense (Arvell Reese) and along the offensive line (Francis Mauigoa) on Thursday, defensive tackle continues to loom as a roster need for New York.
With Dexter Lawrence no longer in the fold, the Giants could stand to make at least one free agent addition in the near future in addition to selecting a rookie this weekend. Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald is still on the board, and he has been linked to the Giants recently. The likes of Christen Miller (Georgia) and Lee Hunter (Texas Tech) are also available, and they are candidates to be selected early in the second round.
New York could of course be targeting other positions in a potential trade-up move. In any case, it will be interesting to see if a deal can be reached in the coming hours as teams jockey for position atop the Day 2 order.
Giants Draft T Francis Mauigoa At No. 10
The Giants added on defense with their top selection. They have brought in offensive line help at No. 10 by selecting Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa. New head coach John Harbaugh had referred to the team’s offensive line a work in progress, so Mauigoa’s addition should, in theory, bring them closer to a finished product.
In 2025, the Giants only had one offensive lineman start every game of the season, and that lineman, right guard Greg Van Roten, is the only starter not expected to return after the expiration of his contract with the team. Elsewhere on the line, Andrew Thomas returned to form after a pair of injury-riddled seasons, showing elite play in 13 games this year, while Jermaine Eluemunor continued his steady play opposite Thomas. Eluemunor also missed a few games in 2025 and rookie fifth-round pick Marcus Mbow filled in adequately as the team’s swing tackle.
The left guard role was manned almost entirely by Jon Runyan whlie a carousel at center saw starts from Austin Schlottmann and John Michael Schmitz Jr. Outside of Van Roten, though, the play on the interior line was uninspired. The Giants signed a pair of former starters in Lucas Patrick and Daniel Faalele in an attempt to bring in competition for the guards spots, but the quality of play for both in recent years fails to inspire much confidence.
With both tackle spots manned, it’s believed Mauigoa will be coming in to take the starting right guard position opposite Runyan. The pending rookie only played right tackle in Coral Gables starting every game there from his freshman year to Miami’s national championship game loss in the College Football Playoff, but many projected guard as his best future position in the pre-draft process. Although he didn’t show much versatility for the Hurricanes, when reporters asked if he’d be willing to switch to guard at the next level, he told reporters that the line has five positions, and all he wanted was to land a starting job at one of them.
The pre-draft process for Mauigoa also contained a bit of concern over a potential back issue that some expect will require surgery in the future. The 20-year-old underwent additional imaging for his back to satisfy any concerns, and the results must’ve done enough to alleviate any hesitation New York had before drafting Mauigoa. In the end, he comes off the board just five picks later than we projected in our PFR Mock Draft, but ultimately, Mauigoa lands right where we thought he belonged.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Giants Draft LB Arvell Reese At No. 5
Arvell Reese remained on the board through the first four picks, but he has now come off the board. The hybrid linebacker/edge rusher has been selected fifth overall by the Giants. New head coach John Harbaugh came over from a team known for drafting the best player available, and with his expanded role in New York, Harbaugh has done just that with this selection of Reese.
Reese will become a Giant after one phenomenal year on the Buckeye’s defense. Not appearing on defense as a true freshman, Reese was used sparingly as a rotation off-ball linebacker in Year 2 en route to a College Football Playoff Championship Game victory. Once Cody Simon moved on to the NFL as a fourth-round pick, Reese took over next to teammate and fellow top 10 pick Sonny Styles. While Styles spent a majority of his snaps in the box, Reese split his time as an off-ball linebacker and an edge rusher.
In part-time pass rushing duty, Reese produced 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Most evaluators see him producing more as a pass rusher at the NFL level, but some believe he could maintain some sort of versatility as a hybrid sort of player similar to the early years of Micah Parsons. New York drafted a similarly transitioned defender at No. 3 overall last year in Abdul Carter. In fact, Reese joins an extremely crowded room of highly drafted pass rushers that includes Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
There have been plenty of rumors that Thibodeaux could be on the trading block even before this pick. Despite the Giants bringing on yet another first-round edge rusher, ESPN’s Adam Schefter claims New York has no intentions of shipping out Thibodeaux. The four-year veteran out of Oregon may end up walking in free agency after this next season, but the litany of talented pass rushers ahead of Reese on the depth chart should allow him to be used with more versatility while still learning how to fit into his likely new position.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.