It may not seem like it, but the New York Giants have a major luxury on their hands this offseason. While ushering in a new era under coach John Harbaugh, all eyes on what the Giants will do with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as there will be no shortage of blue-chip prospects available for the taking.
Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano. Jordyn Tyson. Carnell Tate. Caleb Downs. The list goes on. The world is Joe Schoen's oyster this offseason, and it's imperative he hits on this pick not only to save his own job but to ensure that Big Blue will continue setting up Jaxson Dart for success in 2026 and beyond.
Thankfully, while identifying every team's ideal 2026 NFL Draft target, Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport pinpointed that Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa should be the Giants' dream draft target, because they need to do a better job of protecting Dart after an injury-riddled rookie season.
The offensive line has been a major sore spot in New York for years now, but having Mauigoa and Andrew Thomas would instantly be one of the best tackle duos in the NFL. The only problem would be kicking Mauigoa to the right side of the line, but even still, I have faith in this potential marriage.
If the Giants really want to set Jaxson Dart up for success, drafting Francis Mauigoa is the only option
2026 boasts one of the strongest OL classes in recent memory, and Mauigoa is the consensus top tackle. There's no shame in rolling with the top prospect in the trenches, as in the NFL, you can never have too much help on the offensive line, even if it isn't as sexy of a pick as Downs or Tate would be.
The other reason this makes too much sense is the impending free agency of Jermaine Eluemunor, who has a real shot of not returning to New York in 2026. So in the likely event he leaves in free agency, Mauigoa could fill his shoes and help set the tone up front for new OL coach Mike Bloomgren.
Dart struggled with concussions in his rookie year, and the Giants really want to keep him healthy, so the best course of action to do so would be to address the offensive line. And given that the 22-year-old is the future of this franchise, drafting another young OL like Mauigoa makes too much sense.
Harbaugh knows how to mold winning football teams, which often comes from building your team from the trenches. And since the G-Men have a logjam of elite defensive building blocks, drafting another blue-chip prospect to keep Dart protected while signing established playmakers is clearly the best course of action in New York.