Harbaugh Aces His First Draft

"It's deja vu all over again."  - Yogi Berra

Four years ago, new GM Joe Schoen had two picks in the first round - the 5th and 7th - which he used to select Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux and offensive tackle Evan Neal. Thibodeaux was considered the second best defensive prospect in the Draft behind Aiden Hutchinson and Neal was considered the top-ranked tackle. After an impressive rookie campaign, Thibodeaux's performance has slipped considerably over the last three seasons, while Neal has turned out to be a bust.

Going into the 2026 NFL Draft, Schoen and new Head Coach John Harbaugh also had two picks in the first round - the 5th and 10th - which they used to select Edge Arvell Reese and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. Reese was considered the second best defensive prospect in the draft while Mauigoa was considered the top-ranked tackle. 

For a fanbase that's gotten used to having its heart broken, you could certainly understand the cynicism. But if we're being totally honest here, both picks made perfect sense. No way Harbaugh and Schoen could've anticipated Reese falling into their laps, and no way in hell they were going to look that gift horse in the mouth. Anybody you says the contrary doesn't know shit about football. Reese has the potential to be the next Micah Parsons, and, unless your name is Dave Gettleman, you don't let a Micah Parsons slip through your fingers.

Indeed, if fans had a bone to pick at all, it was with what happened five picks later. The general consensus Thursday night was that Caleb Downs would go quickly in the Draft. Yours truly had him going to the Jints at 5. So when he was still on the board at 10, everyone watching the event live just assumed that Harbaugh and Schoen would scoop him up. Imagine landing two of the top four defensive prospects in the same Draft; the other two being David Bailey - taken by the Jets at 2 - and Sonny Styles - taken by the Commanders at 7. The Giants were this close to being crowned "best team in the Draft" less than halfway through the first round.

But when Roger Goodell announced that they had selected Mauigoa with the 10th pick, a.chorus of "what the fucks" could be heard from Parsippany to Canarsie. Frankly, my only qualm with the pick was that if the Giants were looking for someone to play right guard, why not take Vega Ioane, who's an actual guard and was rated number one at his position?

That being said, the pick makes total sense. As much as it would've been nice to have Downs patrolling center field for the Giants, the greater need was on the offensive line. Jaxson Dart is, without question, the most important player on this roster. Protecting him is essential to any long-term success this franchise plans on having. With the addition of Mauigoa, New York has its best O-line since the Tom Coughlin days. If I had to access day one, I would give the Giants an A.

Day two was almost as productive. Despite what Harbaugh said at his presser after the Draft, the Giants definitely had their sites set on defensive tackle Kayden McDonald at 37. But when the Texans leapfrogged them and snagged him, they didn't panic. They simply shifted gears and filled another position of need by selecting cornerback Colton Hood. Hood was viewed by many as a late first round prospect, so the Giants got a solid player at good value who has a chance of starting opposite Paulson Adebo on opening week. They then traded back into the third round and took wideout Malachi Fields at 74. Fields had a great Senior Day but bombed at the Combine, which led to his slipping in the Draft. The Giants believe they found a potential third target for Dart.

New York rounded out its draft by taking three depth pieces in the 6th round, one of which - linebacker Jack Kelly - could be a great addition to the special teams. Altogether, Harbaugh and Schoen were surgical with their picks, filling specific needs while not reaching; something several teams - i.e., the Rams - were guilty of doing this Draft. Overall, I'd give both men an A minus.

There's still more work that needs to be done. A successful draft was an important step in the rebuilding process. But after trading Dexter Lawrence, Harbaugh has a gaping hole at nose tackle. 

Luckily he has time to fill it.