After six weeks of regular-season action, it's fair to say that the New York Giants' 2026 NFL Draft class has been a mixed bag. Arvell Reese is a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, Francis Mauigoa is already drawing (unwarranted) Evan Neal comparisons, and the rest of the class has been largely unimpactful.
But hidden near the bottom of the group is a rare Joe Schoen Day 3 gem. Offensive tackle J.C. Davis has quietly been a reliable backup for the G-Men despite being a sixth-round pick with expectations of being a project player.
Reese is clearly the best player among this group of rookies, but Davis may already be establishing himself as the biggest steal of New York's class.
Giants' J.C. Davis is flying under the radar as a draft steal
Schoen doesn't typically find much value in the later rounds of the draft. When he does hold onto his Day 3 picks long enough to make selections, those players are often churned off the roster within a few years. None of the Giants' four Day 3 picks from the 2023 NFL Draft are still on the roster just three years later.
But Schoen may have found one in Davis. He took the former Illinois offensive tackle in the sixth round, hoping he could develop into a backup for Andrew Thomas over the course of his rookie contract.
Instead, Davis has filled the "quality backup" role immediately. He filled in for Thomas during the Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints without a hitch.
In 25 snaps at left tackle, Davis didn't allow a single pressure. He held up against Chase Young and a talented Saints pass rush while Thomas was being evaluated for a concussion, helping fuel the Giants' fourth-quarter comeback. The rookie's pass-blocking grade is already the second-best on New York's offensive line, albeit in a small sample size.
This isn't a one-game fluke, either. Davis was excellent in the preseason, allowing just one pressure on 89 pass-blocking snaps. Coming into the preseason, his spot on the active roster wasn't guaranteed, but he made it impossible for John Harbaugh to cut him after his performances.
Of course, we still haven't seen Davis against an elite pass rush. If he has to play against the Houston Texans in Week 7, Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter might tear him to shreds. But for a sixth-round pick who wasn't expected to contribute anything as a rookie, he has been exceptional.
Based on early returns, Davis looks like one of Schoen's best late-round draft picks in recent years. He could be a capable backup for the Giants for years to come.
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