When the New York Giants selected Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa with the 10th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the fanbase was divided. Some were happy that John Harbaugh was finally prioritizing the trenches and protecting Jaxson Dart, while others were livid that the pick resulted in Caleb Downs falling into the Cowboys' lap.
Regardless of that immediate opinion though, Mauigoa is already setting out to curry favor with the fanbase. When asked what fans should expect in a player like him, he gave way more than just get your hard hats ready. He made it clear that already he's ready to get to work and prove himself daily.
"What there is to expect? The best," Mauigoa said. "I'm going to put in that work after-hours, every day. Just like how I came into the University of Miami, I gotta earn my way up, earn everybody's trust, earn everybody's respect, that's the same thing that's gonna go (in the NFL). Coming in as a first rounder doesn't mean anything. I gotta earn everybody's trust and build that foundation from there."
The last offensive lineman the Giants took in the top 10 was Evan Neal, a guy who was believed to have the same toughness as the 20-year-old. But unlike Neal, Mauigoa made it clear he's willing to put in the work instead of coast off the Round 1 label, which should quell the OL trauma just a little bit.
Francis Mauigoa was the perfect draft pick for the Giants at No. 10
Mauigoa, who may be going by Sisi now, also gave some insight into his first conversation with Harbaugh. And it all boiled down to one thing in common: competitiveness. He clearly is ready to get to work, and for a coach like Harbs, that sort of work ethic will help him get far, especially in camp.
"He was just asking me if I'm ready. I told him, 'hell yeah! When is the flight leaving?' Told him if the flight can leave right now, sadly I gotta wait for tomorrow, but I'm excited to get it going."
It's telling how ready he is, especially when Big Blue isn't expected to start him off at his college position of right tackle. Because the Giants re-signed Jermaine Eluemunor earlier this offseason, odds are he will be the starting right guard and transition to right tackle some time in the future if Eluemunor struggles.
A tackle like Mauigoa isn't exactly a "sexy pick" like someone like Downs or any of the WRs, but he doesn't need to be. With a Super Bowl-winning head coach at the helm, the Giants are looking to turn back the clock, and that starts with adding maulers like Sisi in the trenches to protect Jaxson Dart.
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