The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and all in all, it was a great first draft under new head coach John Harbaugh.
New York selected who may arguably be the best player in the draft, Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, with the fifth overall pick. And in what was perhaps a more surprising move, drafted offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa with the tenth pick.
New York also drafted two solid players who have a chance to make an immediate impact this upcoming season, selecting cornerback Colton Hood in the second round, as well as trading up to select wide receiver Malachi Fields in the third round.
Although many would consider this first draft class with Harbaugh at the helm a widely successful one, I can't help but wonder how much stronger the class could have been had they not taken Mauigoa and selected someone else instead.
Why the Giants may regret passing up on Caleb Downs
When the Giants were on the clock at No. 10 on Thursday, it seemed like a forgone conclusion that they would draft standout safety Caleb Downs, given their immense struggles in the secondary this past season. That was not the case. As evidenced by them selecting the aforementioned Mauigoa, a move to help protect their young quarterback, Jaxson Dart.
Despite the offensive line needing to be addressed, Downs felt like a surefire pick for the Giants. Instead, he went to the Dallas Cowboys of all places as they traded up one spot from 12 to take him with the 11th overall pick.
Now, this is no knock on Mauigoa, who looks to have the potential to help vastly improve the o-line. But Downs also could have been a huge contributor to the team. The 21-year-old was a two-time All-American (2024, 2025) at Ohio State, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year this past season, and racked up six interceptions throughout his three seasons with the Buckeyes.
New York's secondary last season was a huge issue, and while the selection of Hood may have been a move to address that, Downs looks like he has the talent and skillset to be a generational talent.
Let's just hope we are wrong on this and Francis Mauigoa was the right pick at No. 10 to help get this Giants team back on track.
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