Cal Raleigh doesn't have an impressive batting average. The folks from "Moneyball" wouldn't give him a second look. But when the Mariners star connects, it's going yard. In that way, and only that way, he's not unlike New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen.
Schoen has had some egregious NFL Draft misses in his time with the G-Men, but he's knocked enough of his picks out of the park to keep his job. He may be batting .200, but those home runs keep the Mara family coming back for more.
The trend seems to have continued through the 2026 class. While a few rookies are already starting to look like misses, the production of a few players has the class looking like a resounding success.
Giants rookie updates entering the bye week
Arvell Reese, LB
If we're keeping up the baseball analogy, the Arvell Reese pick was a fastball right over the plate. Sure, there were questions about whether the former Ohio State star would play off-ball or on the edge, but nobody doubted that he would be a good NFL player.
Reese has exceeded the already high expectations he entered the year with. He's leading the Giants in tackles and looks like a culture setter with his relentless energy. Every time defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has put more on the rookie's plate, he has delivered.
With Defensive Rookie of the Year within reach, it's safe to say that this pick was a success.
Verdict: Stock up
Francis Mauigoa, G
Francis Mauigoa hasn't been as bad as some would lead you to believe, but he hasn't been great, either. The tackle-turned-guard has struggled to keep up with the increased speed and physicality of NFL defensive linemen.
The rookie's 49.1 overall PFF grade ranks 66th among 82 qualifying guards. He isn't giving the G-Men the push they need in the run game, and his pass protection has been hit or miss thus far.
It's far too early to call Mauigoa a bust, but it's starting to look like the Giants should have opted for Vega Ioane.
Verdict: Stock down
Colton Hood, CB
It's already difficult for cornerbacks to transition to the NFL. Add in an injury early in the season, and Colton Hood had the odds stacked against him.
Still, the returns on the second-round cornerback haven't been particularly encouraging. He hardly played in Week 1, got cooked by Davante Adams in Week 2, bounced back in Week 3, and hasn't seen a defensive snap since.
It's certainly a bad sign that Hood has been limited to playing on special teams since Week 4, especially considering New York's cornerback injuries. The rookie was always going to take some time to develop, so it's not time to panic, but it's never good for a second-round pick to be considered unplayable seven games into his career.
Verdict: Stock slightly down
Malachi Fields, WR
Malachi Fields might not be the home run that Reese is, but he's at least a base hit. The rookie wideout has emerged as a solid member of New York's pass-catching group and had his best game of the season in J.J. Mccarthy's first start.
As the season progresses, expect Matt Nagy to work Fields into the fold even more. He's already improved as a route runner, and his blocking ability is going to continue to earn him the trust of his coaching staff.
Any targets heading Darnell Mooney's way should be funneled to Fields instead.
Verdict: Stock up
Bobby Jamison-Travis, DT
The Giants were never expecting much out of sixth-round rookie Bobby Jamison-Travis, so his lack of production shouldn't be discouraging. The big defensive lineman has increased his snap count in recent weeks, playing mostly as a nose tackle to give D.J. Reader some rest.
Jamison-Travis isn't a star, and he may never even become a starter, but he's giving the Giants exactly what they were looking for from him. It's hard to complain when a sixth-rounder becomes a decent depth piece.
Verdict: Stock neutral
J.C. Davis, OT
J.C. Davis hasn't had to play much this season. In fact, he's only appeared on offense in one game. But when he's been on the field, he's been excellent. When filling in for Andrew Thomas at left tackle in Week 6, he didn't allow a single pressure. It was a continuation of his dominant preseason showings.
Like Jamison-Travis, Davis is probably never going to be a starter for Big Blue. But the Giants have struggled to find a capable backup for Thomas for years, and the rookie seems to be filling that void. That's a massive win in my book.
Verdict: Stock up
Jack Kelly, LB
Sixth-round linebacker Jack Kelly was drafted to be a special teams player, and that's exactly what he's been so far. Kelly has yet to record a snap on defense, even after Tremaine Edmunds' injury, but he's been solid on special teams.
The BYU product is athletic and versatile, so perhaps he can grow into a larger role in the future. For now, the fact that he's consistently on the active roster should be seen as a success. Many of the players drafted around him have already been cut.
Verdict: Stock neutral
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