NY Giants NFL Draft grades: New York gets high marks for 2026 class
The 2026 NFL Draft is over. Nobody really knows who did well and who did not. Snap NFL Draft grades, though, are a part of life. Below, how NFL analysts believe the New York Giants did in their first draft with John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen working together.
Grade: B+
The Giants could have gone a few directions with their two top-10 picks, the second of which was added days before the draft in aDexter Lawrence IItradewith the Bengals. I thought that was a really good trade for general manager Joe Schoen, and it set John Harbaugh's Giants up to do some work early in Round 1. The best case in my eyes would have beenJeremiyah Loveat No. 5 andJordyn Tysonat No. 10. Unfortunately, neither player was still on the board at the respective picks.
Plan B was landing Reese with the first selection. This is my No. 3 overall prospect and top guy on the defensive side of the ball. I get the confusion considering the Giants just used the third pick onAbdul Cartera year ago and also haveBrian BurnsandKayvon Thibodeaux. Edge rusher isn't a need. But as a team that is 7-27 over the past two years and has a defense that allowed a league-worst 5.3 yards per rush in 2025, the Giants needed good football players. Reese is areallygood one. ... I have no problem with taking an elite player and figuring out the perfect way to use him later.
Mauigoa at No. 10 also makes sense, as protectingJaxson Dartand opening some rushing lanes forCam Skattebooff aleg injurywill be key. ... The one issue I have with this pick is Caleb Downs was still available. Harbaugh hadKyle Hamiltonin Baltimore, and he could have had Downs in New York. If we're talking about best player available," there's a strong case for my No. 6 prospect at No. 10. But overall, this was a great first round for the Giants.
New York hit more needs on Day 2. It would have surprised no one ifColton Hoodwas a first-round pick. He's a long, athletic corner. His Senior Bowl week could have been better, but he's physical at 193 pounds. He didn't pile up interceptions (three over 29 games), but he doesn't allow completions, either. AndMalachi Fieldsfits as a potential WR2 behindMalik Nabers. He's a walking highlight reel on downfield catches. Fields shields defenders from the ball with his length and physicality, and he has terrific hands, with just two drops over the past two seasons.
Sports Illustrated (Matt Verderame, Gilbert Manzano)
Grade A+
Analysis: Coach John Harbaugh more than delivered in his first draft with the Giants. Harbaugh went with the best-player-available route with his first pick and ignored his team's depth at edge rusher, taking Reese, a hybrid playmaker who offers the most upside as a pass rusher. If the team doesn't trade Kayvon Thibodeaux, Reese can start as an off-ball linebacker, which is not a bad idea for a coach who thrives in maximizing sideline-to-sideline playmakers. With the pick the team gained from the Bengals in the Dexter Lawrence II trade, New York again added depth by selecting Mauigoa, the tackle out of Miami. He can start at guard if the team doesn't want to disrupt bookend tackles Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor. The Giants also nailed their Day 2 picks, with the competitive Hood and the playmaking Fields.
Grade: B+
The Giants received a gift with Reese falling into their lap at No. 5; he'll be an excellent pass rusher and run defender, whether he's lined up in the box or on the edge. TradingDexter Lawrenceto the Bengals netted New Yorkthe 10th overall pick, which the team used to select Mauigoa, an intense, powerful blocker who could play guard or tackle. Getting the athletic, tough Hood in Round 2 was a bargain.The priceto move into position for Fields, however, was steep, requiring the Giants to part with a fourth- and fifth-round pick this year and another fourth-rounder in the potentially strong 2027 NFL Draft. Fields is a big-bodied pass-catcher who made plays for Notre Dame but lacks the suddenness and long speed typically expected from Day 2 receivers.
The Giants spent their fourth- and fifth-round picks for Fields instead of using them to find value on Saturday. Their first Day 3 pick was Jamison-Travis, a nose tackle who could help make up for a slice of what the team lost when trading Lawrence. Davis' shape and movement remind me of starting right tackleJermaine Eluemunor, and I think Kelly is a much better player than his sixth-round status indicates.
Grade: A
Whether or not OLB Arvell Reesefellto fifth overall, he could eventually develop into this draft's best overall player and one who justifies the widespread comparisons to Micah Parsons. Perhaps. Maybe.Acquiring the 10th pick from Cincinnati for Pro Bowl DL Dexter Lawrence(and his salary) last weekend, ultimately in exchange for OL Francis Mauigoa - arguably the draft's best tackle - seems like another win for Big Blue. Getting CB Colton Hood (Round 2) and WR Malachi Fields (Round 3) on Day 2 project as relative value picks. New coach John Harbaugh could have this squad fighting for a playoff return in short order.
The Giants had to have been doing backflips in the draft room when Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese fell to them at no. 5. Reese, my top-ranked player, is a versatile and explosive hybrid playmaker who splits time between off-ball linebacker and edge rusher, showing top-end talent at both spots. He's an awesome addition to the New York front seven and should get his start at linebacker, per the team, giving the Giants the chance to put him on the field with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. The selection of offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa was much less sexy but important nonetheless, giving Jaxson Dart a bookend tackle opposite Andrew Thomas over the long term (Mauigoa could fill in at guard initially as well). I liked the second-round selection of Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood, who could compete for snaps right away and strengthen the team's depth at a hugely important spot. And while I didn't love how much the Giants had to give up to trade up for Notre Dame receiver Malachi Fields (fourth and fifth-round picks this year, plus a fourth-rounder next year), I do like the fit for him in New York. Fields is a big-bodied ball winner with surprisingly twitchy movement skills as a route runner. He's a nice complement to Malik Nabers and gives Dart another receiver to look for in the red zone. Overall, this looks like an amazing start for the John Harbaugh era in New York.
Grade: A+
Edge Arvell Reese (5) and OT Francis Mauigoa (10) are foundation players. CB Colton Hood (37) is a first-round talent. WR Malachi Fields (74) could've gone higher in this draft. DL Bobby Jamison-Travis (186), OT J.C. Davis (192) and LB Jack Kelly (193) round out an impressive crop in John Harbaugh's first draft with the Giants.