Giants select Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10 in the 2026 NFL Draft

The New York Giants had two top-10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the new regime led by head coach John Harbaugh has shown its focus in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

With the fifth overall pick, the Giants saw Ohio State star offensive lineman Arvell Reese fall to them and pulled the trigger, taking their third offensive player in the first round since 2022.

Then, with the No. 10 overall pick, the Giants had an opportunity to acquire another Buckeyes’ defensive star with safety Caleb Downs falling down the draft board. But as they move into the offensive line with their next pick, it’s clear the Giants are protecting their future, quarterback Jaxson Dart.

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Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa was called up from the NFL Draft green room in Pittsburgh as the 10th overall pick. He is expected to move to Mauigoa’s offensive interior line as they take on the Hurricanes.

The Giants re-signed Jermaine Eluemunor, who stood out as the team’s right tackle, in free agency in 2025. He is expected to remain in that role, but there are question marks on the Giants’ defense and there is belief that Mauigoa could move inside.

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Some mock drafts on Thursday projected Reese to go second overall behind the New York Jets. However, the Jets moved on from Texas Tech to replace David Bailey.

From there, the Arizona Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love, making him the top-selected running back since the Giants acquired Saquon Barkley in 2018. The Tennessee Titans went with wide receiver Carnell Tate, the Buckeyes’ first player off the board, and Reese fell into their lap.

Giants forward Malik Nabers, appearing at a draft show alongside Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Micah Parsons, questioned where Reese would play, considering Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter, the team’s No. 3 overall pick a year ago, play edge rusher.

However, Harbaugh hinted at his plan to make Reese an inside linebacker; This is an area of ​​need on the Giants’ defense. If that’s the plan, Reese’s athleticism displayed throughout his Ohio State career will be tested at the NFL level.

Miami’s Francis Mauigoa celebrates being selected as the tenth overall pick by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

As for Mauigoa, the 6-foot-1, 329-pound tackle has been viewed throughout the process as one of the top offensive line prospects in this draft.

Mauigoa was a first-team All-American selection for the Miami team that reached the national championship game last year. He started all 16 games for the Hurricanes at right tackle.

But there was injury trouble surrounding Mauigoa, who dealt with a back issue that could have required surgery at some point in his professional career. Teams need to do their due diligence on these matters, and the Giants don’t appear to be worried about spending the pick on him.

It was the 10th overall pick the Giants acquired after trading All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, fulfilling his trade request amid a contract dispute.

Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese poses for a portrait during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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Mauigoa has already gained favor with Giants fans by saying “I’d die for you, Jaxson Dart” in his draft interview. That’s the type of energy Harbaugh, Dart and the rest of the Giants are looking for at a key position on the football field.

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