At No. 5 overall, the Giants selected Arvell Reese, widely viewed internally as the best player available on the board. While some expected names like Caleb Downs or Sonny Styles to be in play, the reality is Reese was unlikely to still be available at that spot. Passing on a top-graded talent at a premium position would have been far more questionable than making the pick.

Then at No. 10, the Giants doubled down on impact by selecting Francis Mauigoa, arguably the best offensive lineman in the entire draft. Even with unexpected developments, such as Downs still being on the board, the front office led by Joe Schoen and head coach John Harbaugh prioritized protecting Jaxson Dart and reinforcing the trenches.

Did the Giants have a good first round in 2026 Draft?

The answer leans strongly toward yes. Arvell Reese provides immediate defensive impact and long-term stability, addressing a unit that needed reinforcement. More importantly, his availability at No. 5 represented a rare opportunity that aligned perfectly with the Giants’ internal rankings.

Mauigoa’s addition could prove even more transformative. Projected to step in at right guard or right tackle, he brings the kind of physical presence and reliability that was missing last season. For Jaxson Dart, who endured a difficult rookie year marked by pressure and injuries, this move could be pivotal in accelerating his development.

Ultimately, Harbaugh and Schoen walked away with two players they reportedly graded inside their top five overall prospects. That kind of outcome is rare, and it’s precisely why the Giants are being viewed as one of the biggest winners of the draft’s opening round.

Malik Nabers didn’t like the Giants’ picks

Malik Nabers made it clear he wasn’t on board with the direction the New York Giants took in the first round. The wide receiver had a different vision for the team, favoring playmakers like Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs, and his reaction quickly gained traction on social media.

While his comments sparked debate, they also highlight the contrast between internal evaluations and external expectations. The Giants prioritized Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa to address key needs on defense and the offensive line, decisions rooted in long-term roster building. However, Nabers wanted to go with other names.

Nabers had a different vision for the franchise’s direction, preferring the Giants to select Jeremiyah Love first and then Caleb Downs. Following multiple “winners and losers” draft analyses, his reactions quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention across the league.

The situation has now created an early talking point around locker room dynamics. While players often have opinions on roster moves, public disagreement, especially with both top picks, can raise questions about internal alignment. It’s not what you want trying to build a Super Bowl contender.

Who did the Giants draft?

The Giants drafted Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa. From a roster-building perspective, those selections address clear needs. Reese arrives to help stabilize a defensive front weakened by the departure of Dexter Lawrence, while Mauigoa is viewed as a foundational piece to protect Jaxson Dart and support the ground game led by Cam Skattebo.

Still, the optics of Nabers’ reaction cannot be ignored. Expressing dissatisfaction with both picks, not just one, adds a layer of intrigue as the Giants begin integrating their new additions.

Ultimately, the focus will shift to performance and chemistry on the field. But in the short term, Nabers’ comments have introduced a degree of uncertainty, raising the question of whether this moment is simply draft-day frustration, or the start of a more complicated dynamic within the team.

“Congratulations, welcome to the Big Apple. I’m excited to see you tomorrow. Protect my quarterback so we can get some touchdowns. Let’s get the celebrations going,” Nabers told Mauigoa as the two shared a conversation on Bleacher Report.

Although Nabers admitted he wasn’t a big fan of the decision to draft Mauigoa and called out the Giants for passing on Caleb Downs twice in the 2026 NFL Draft, he still made it clear he’s happy to have Mauigoa join the Big Blue.

However, Nabers made it known from the first interaction, that the rookie will be held accountable. Nabers should rest assured, though, as Mauigoa promised to protect Dart at all costs.

NY Giants’ Day 1 recap

The Giants entered the 2026 NFL Draft among the teams that owned several first-round selections. Thus, they had lots of eyes fixed on him. Despite the loud buzz around their picks, the Giants didn’t make any trades during the first round of the NFL Draft.

New York drafted linebacker out of Ohio State Arvell Reese with their first selection (No. 5 overall). The Giants followed that selection with Francis Mauigoa, offensive tackle out of the University of Miami, at No. 10.

As soon as that pick was in, the Dallas Cowboys moved up to select Caleb Downs with the 11th pick. If he turns out to be as good as advertised, fans will look back on this NFL Draft moment every time New York and Dallas meet.

Day 1 is in the books

As Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft comes to an end, the Giants get ready to do it all over again on Friday and Saturday. The New York Giants have six picks left: No. 37, 105, 145, 186, 192, and 193 overall.

Though Nabers expressed his frustration at several of the Giants’ decisions, the jury is still out on whether this draft was a success or not. In fact, it’s way too early to tell. Time and again, selections that left fans puzzled on draft night turned out to be great players. Thus, any analysis made tonight could turn futile when the 2026 NFL season kicks off in September.

“Y’all boys nasty. Micah [Parsons] and [Malik] Nabers, y’all boys nice. It would have been great teaming up with you. But, I’m going to the Cardinals,” Love told both Nabers and Parsons during an appearance on Bleacher Report.

Nabers lamented the Giants missed out on Love, as they could’ve put together a great offense in East Rutherford. As for Parsons, he had no shot at teaming up with Love, though as the Green Bay Packers have no first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. Moreover, he wouldn’t share the field with Love. Thus, even though Love mentioned both players, it’s clear he had higher expectations to become a Giant and share an NFL locker room with Nabers.

Nabers wished Love fell to Giants’ lap

The 2026 NFL Draft hasn’t been kind to Nabers. The star wideout called out the Giants for passing on Caleb Downs, and his team wasn’t even given a shot at selecting Love. Speaking with the talented running back out of Notre Dame, Nabers let him know he was hoping for him to fall on the board.

“I’m sad you didn’t drop lower to [the] No. 5 [selection]. You a tremendous athlete, I love watching you play. Excited to watch you ball,” Nabers admitted to Love.

Love would’ve been huge for NY Giants

As Nabers had previously stated, a presence like Love’s could really take New York’s offense to the next level. Love is seen as more of a weapon than a simple halfback. With him behind or at Dart’s side, the G-Men could’ve become unpredictable. That would’ve taken pressure off Nabers.

As it stands, however, Nabers and the Giants’ offense are back to square one. Francis Mauigoa promised to protect Jaxson Dart at all costs, but he doesn’t have the ability to make plays, and that’s something New York needed to address.

“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.

“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.

“Yeah, I mean I love my running backs I have now. But having that kind of running back in the backfield with Jaxson. You don’t know who is getting the ball. Love gives me the opportunity to not face double coverage,” Nabers stated during his live reaction to the Draft on Bleacher Report.

With Love out of the picture and set to fly out to Arizona, the Giants’ running back depth chart will likely remain the same (with the likes of Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy, and Devin Singletary) through Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Giants’ No. 5 pick is in

Against all odds, the Giants selected OLB Arvell Reese out of Ohio State with the fifth overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. If there’s a position New York has covered it’s on the edge of the defensive line. Even Nabers was caught completely off guard by the pick.

“I mean, I love the player, don’t get me wrong. But just like, ‘where do you play?’ You want to be on the outside of the rush, but we just drafted somebody [Abdul Carter] last year to do that same position,” Nabers admitted his confusion at the Giants’ selection with the No. 5 pick.

Moreover, the star wideout went as far as to criticize the decision not to select safety Caleb Downs as he was available. By the time New York drafts again with the 10th pick, the star out of Ohio State may be off the board.

Nabers wanted help on offense

It’s clear the Giants aren’t taking the route Nabers would’ve liked in the 2026 NFL Draft. In the WR1’s ideal world, New York would have taken Downs with the fifth overall selection and look for someone who can help make his life easier on offense with the No. 10 selection. However, NFL Drafts are rarely perfect. With Love off the board early because of the Cardinals, the Giants had to adapt, and it may be at the expense of Nabers’ wish.

“The [Giants] need some weapons on the perimeter for Jaxson Dart. That’s why I think Carnell Tate is going to be in the discussion,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah stated. “This is looking more and more like a real need, an urgency for the Giants at the wide receiver position. And when Nabers is back—and if he’s back—healthy, that would be a fun one-two punch.”

As it stands, the Giants‘ wide receiver room features: Malik Nabers (coming off ACL and meniscus tear), Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, and Calvin Austin III. Considering the fact Nabers is expected back on a football field closer to training camp, the Giants could be entering the 2026 NFL season without a clear cut number one target for Dart. Tate, though only a rookie, could change that.

NY Giants face complex draft decision

Two things can be true: the Giants may have a true unicorn in Love, but they also have an already strong running back room with the likes of Cam Skattebo, Devin Singletary, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. Similar to Nabers, there are questions around Skattebo’s health, too.

Indeed, there are positions in more dire need of reinforcements than the wideouts and half backs, but the Giants may not be able to resist the temptation if Tate or Love are available at No. 5, which they very well could be. If it comes down to Love or Tate, New York’s GM Joe Schoen may be faced with one of the biggest draft decisions of his time in East Rutherford.

Bolstering the offensive line is another must for New York, and if Miami’s Francis Mauigoa is available, the G-Men may be left with no choice but to take him. It all comes down to what’s more important to the Giants: protecting Dart (who suffered multiple injuries during his rookie year) or surrounding him with game-changing athletes. Dart is urged to stay healthy as the Giants depend on their QB’s success, but he also needs some help across the roster.

Giants may have another preference over Mauigoa

While Mauigoa is widely considered the best offensive lineman in the 2026 class, the Giants may be favoring another prospect. New York hosted offensive tackle Caleb Lomu out of Utah on a visit ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. As hyped as Mauigoa is, the talent out of the University of Miami hasn’t been invited on a top-30 visit by the Giants. This may indicate New York rates Lomu higher than Mauigoa.

Whether they would draft Lomu with the fifth overall selection, though, is another question. It’s worth noting, however, that since he took over in East Rutherford, Joe Schoen has always used his first-round picks on players who previously visited the Giants. Mauigoa hasn’t yet, and that might be an indicator that his future isn’t at MetLife Stadium—at least not with the G-Men.

Harbaugh’s tendencies go against Schoen, Giants’

Regardless, there’s always a first time for everything. Moreover, John Harbaugh’s draft tendencies aren’t aligned with Schoen’s, with him rarely drafting a player who visited his team in the first round. It’s worth addressing the fact that Harbaugh has only had a top-10 pick once in his career as a head coach in the NFL (sixth overall in 2016, when he selected OT Ronnie Stanley).

In 2026, something has to give for the Giants. Anything can happen, and until the pick is in, there aren’t really any wrong guesses as to who the G-Men will select.

Though his injury looked much worse and caused many fans to turn their eyes away from the TV, it looks like Skattebo is ahead of Nabers in his recovery. As a result, the Giants have set up different timelines for the two stars in East Rutherford. There is a scenario in which Jaxson Dart has to go through the first stages of the offseason without his backfield sidekick and main target. To say that is less than ideal would be an understatement.

According to Connor Hughes of SNY, the Giants acknowledge Skattebo is ahead of Nabers. New York expects—if not hopes—Skattebo can get some reps during the offseason. As for Nabers, the Giants don’t expect the former 6th overall pick in 2024 to be back in action until closer to training camp and the regular season.

Skattebo and Nabers’ injuries

Skattebo’s rookie campaign came to a crushing end as he suffered a dislocated ankle, fractured fibula and ruptured ligament in his right leg. Such a gruesome injury raises concerns on how he will be able to perform in his sophomore season.

As for Nabers, he suffered a torn ACL and meniscus during the Giants’ 21-18 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season. Coming off a stupendous rookie year, his second campaign was caught well short.

New York needs Skattebo back to figure out HB decision

For New York, having Skattebo back on the field as soon as possible is paramount. Provided the Giants don’t rush him into full participation, of course, they could use “Skatt” as the organization figures out if he is a reliable No. 1 option for 2026, or if it should go after a running back in the NFL Draft.

The “Jeremiyay Love to New York” rumors aren’t going anywhere, and if Skattebo—whose main attribute is his powerful running style—looks off a gear, it could make the decision easier for the Giants. That is, obviously, if Love is still up for grabs in the draft board by the time the G-Men make their first-round selection (5th overall).

The Giants could always select Love and pair him up with Skattebo—forming one of the best one-two punches in the league—but it feels that route is one New York would more likely explore in a video game rather than real life.

“Let’s play together!,” Nabers commented to his colleague on his latest Instagram post. OBJ expressed excitement at the prospect of returning to his first NFL team.

There’s still no certainty regarding Odell’s potential return to the Giants. As the team continues shaping its roster for the upcoming season, he could become an intriguing option for the receiving corps if it comes to fruition.

Injuries: Odell’s curse?

Once one of the most explosive talents in the NFL, Odell Beckham Jr. saw his Hall of Fame trajectory derailed by a relentless string of severe lower-body injuries.

His decline began with a fractured left ankle in 2017 that required surgery, followed by a sports hernia in 2019. However, the toughest blows came later: two ACL tears in the same left knee—one in 2020 with the Browns and another during Super Bowl LVI in 2022.

These major setbacks, along with chronic hamstring and quad issues, stripped him of the elite elite speed and change-of-direction that defined his historic early years with the Giants.

Passing alternatives for Dart

The New York air attack looks formidable for the 2026 season, providing Jaxson Dart with a diverse and explosive group of playmakers. The unit is headlined by superstar Malik Nabers, who serves as the primary engine of the offense, supported by reliable veterans Darius Slayton and Darnell Mooney as the primary outside threats.

Adding crucial depth to the rotation are Isaiah Hodgins, Beaux Collins, and the lightning-fast Calvin Austin III, ensuring the Giants have the personnel to attack defenses at every level. Here’s the intriguing WR room that Harbaugh will have:

In Week 4, Nabers suffered a torn ACL during the Giants’ victory over the Chargers. The turf at MetLife Stadium has long been criticized for its poor conditions, and unfortunately, it has now claimed another victim.

Nabers will miss the remainder of the season and could even be sidelined at the start of the next campaign. For that reason, he has already identified who should take his role as Jaxson Dart’s primary target: Jalin Hyatt.

Malik Nabers identifies his replacement: Who is Jalin Hyatt?

The Giants have lost their most dangerous weapon in Nabers, leaving Dart without his top option in the passing game.

Even though this is a massive blow for the Giants’ offense, Nabers doesn’t believe it’s the end of the world. He pointed out that the team still has a solid group of wideouts, and one underdog in particular could rise to the occasion.

Jalin Hyatt, now in his third year with the Giants, revealed that he spoke with Nabers following the injury. According to Hyatt, the star wideout encouraged him and told him he would shine in his absence.

“We had a long talk,” Jalin Hyatt said. “He’s one of my best friends on this team. He’s been in my corner, he’s kind of seen the adversity I’ve been through. He just told me it’s my chance, this is the time for me to do what I’ve got to do. So I’m going to be ready. I just can’t wait to go out, play Sunday, play with Jaxson, and get a win.”

Jalin Hyatt’s numbers so far

The Giants drafted Hyatt in 2023 with the 73rd overall pick. He posted a decent rookie season with 23 receptions for 373 yards, but he will need to elevate his game significantly if he wants to live up to expectations.

So far, Hyatt has yet to score a touchdown in the NFL. In fact, he has not recorded a single reception this season, but his workload is expected to increase dramatically as he takes on a bigger role with Nabers sidelined.

Joy was evident in the words of the former Ole Miss player who, despite securing his first win as a professional in the league, didn’t forget about his teammate, immediately dedicating a heartfelt message to him.

“Malik is — I’ve said it — Malik’s one of one,” the talented quarterback said. “When you have a guy like that on the field, you have all the confidence in the world that he can just be a dominant game-changer.

“But I thought from that moment, obviously, it’s really hard seeing one of your best friends go down, but we were able to rally, and I thought guys made some good plays. But, obviously, prayers to him.”

“You hate to see your teammate, your brother, go down and look in pain like that,” Dart also added. “But I’m just going to be praying for him, and I’ve got his back through it all.”

What happened to Nabers?

The New York Giants’ worst fears were confirmed Monday as an MRI revealed that star wide receiver Malik Nabers suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee during Sunday’s victory over the Chargers.

The devastating non-contact injury immediately shutters the 2025 campaign for the explosive young playmaker, dealing a catastrophic blow to the Giants’ offense and significantly impeding the development of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Nabers will now begin a long rehabilitation process with an eye toward returning for the 2026 season.

Other weapons for Dart in the Giants’ offense

Giants’ WR depth chart for Jaxson Dart in 2025 NFL season is suddenly thin, thrusting Wan’Dale Robinson and veteran Darius Slayton into the spotlight as the team’s top receiving options.

The former Kentucky player is the most likely candidate to become the primary target for rookie QB, having already shown solid production from the slot.

Slayton provides a proven deep threat on the outside, but New York will also desperately need 2023 third-rounder Jalin Hyatt to finally step up and utilize his elite speed to fill the massive void left by Nabers’ catastrophic injury. The rest of the wide receiver room will need to collectively elevate their game to keep the offense from stalling.