It’s safe to say Malik Nabers isn’t a fan of the New York Giants‘ decision making in the 2026 NFL Draft. As John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen selected Francis Mauigoa with the 10th overall pick, the star wideout didn’t mince words as he hoped they would select Caleb Downs instead.
“I would rather get Downs than play against Downs, that’s all I’m saying,” Nabers said during his live reaction on Bleacher Report. “I understand Jaxson [Dart] did mention he wanted offensive linemen in this draft.”
Nabers isn’t one to sugarcoat his feelings. Nabers disliked the Giants’ selection of Reese, and he wasn’t a fan of Mauigoa’s pick, either. He knows how crucial the 2026 NFL season is. As he comes off a torn ACL and meniscus, he is well aware of the danger he will be facing. Going up against a hard-hitting and smart safety like Downs, he would much rather have the talent out of Ohio State as an ally.
Downs is headed to Dallas
Not only that, but Nabers will now have to face Downs twice as he has been drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick. Downs may enter those matchups with a chip on his shoulder, as he was passed on by New York, who were considered the favorites to select him going into the NFL Draft.
Malik Nabers of the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field
“I got to play against this thing again. He is very good. Downs is everywhere,” Nabers said about Downs, whom he wanted the Giants to draft. “Nickel, safety, blitzing off the edge, inside. That’s the guy that Dallas needs.” Nabers and Downs played against one another in college football. Back in the 2023 NCAA season, Downs was a freshman at Alabama when he lined up against Nabers (LSU). Downs balled out, and he left a lasting impression on Nabers.
They will be in for more classic matchups as the Giants and Cowboys go to battle in the NFL. Every time Nabers is tackled by Downs, he will bite his lip in remorse, asking himself: “Why didn’t Harbaugh and company ask for my two cents on this pick?”
Nabers questions Mauigoa’s pick
Similar to his questioning of Reese’s pick, Nabers simply doesn’t see where Mauigoa would fit in into the lineup upon arrival. He made that very clear with his comments after the Giants announced their pick.
“Is [Mauigoa] going to play inside? He has to play guard, but a lot of his film in Miami wasn’t at guard,” Nabers stated. “We did the same thing when we drafted Evan Neal. Caleb Downs was available. I’m not saying we don’t need a guard, but I think we could’ve gotten that probably later. We could’ve taken a playmaker now.”
Anything can happen in the 2026 NFL Draft. Perhaps, the Giants pull off a trade to acquire another first-round selection before calling it a night. However, if things stand they way they are, it’s safe to assume Nabers will go back home puzzled at the decisions his organization made on Day 1. Most importantly, the Giants passed on Downs not once, but twice, and now Nabers and company will have to go up against him as many times a season.
