The first draft of the John Harbaugh era in New York started on Thursday, April 23, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After years of losses and disappointment, the Giants are eager to establish a new culture starting in 2026. They want to build a foundation for years to come, and that starts with the draft. Next, we’ll hand out draft grades for the players New York selected.
Grades for the 2026 New York Giants draft picks:
First Round, (5th Overall): Arvell Reese, Linebacker
With the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Giants selected Ohio State’s Arvell Reesee. Some analysts predicted Reese would be the second overall pick in this year’s class. However, he fell to five, and New York was ecstatic to see him on the board. The team’s front seven just became even scarier with the addition of Reese. He is six-foot-four, 241 pounds, and runs a 4.46 40-yard dash. New York will pair the young linebacker with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Reese’s versatility and explosiveness have him drawing comparisons to Green Bay’s Micah Parsons. He was named an All-American in his final season with the Buckeyes.
New York Giants Draft Grade: A
First Round, (10th Overall): Francis Mauigoa, Offensive Line
New York had two top 10 selections in the 2026 NFL draft. At pick #10, the Giants took Francis Mauigoa from the University of Miami. The 20-year-old was named an All-American in 2025 as a member of the Hurricanes. Mauigoa started all 42 games he played in over his three-year career with Miami. While he was a right tackle at the collegiate level, many expect the Giants to slide Mauigoa inside at right guard. He is known for being a beast in the run game. That’s exactly the style of play head coach John Harbaugh was looking for. Additionally, Mauigoa is six-foot-five, 329 pounds. He bullies players at the point of attack and will be a weapon for New York’s offensive line.
New York Giants Draft Grade: A-
Second Round, (37th Overall): Colton Hood, Cornerback
Colton Hood was the third cornerback selected in the 2026 NFL draft. He fills a posistion of need for the Giants. New York used the 37th overall pick on Hood out of Tennessee. The 21-year-old was a player the Giants were thrilled to pick up in the second round. Hood excels in press coverage and is a physical corner. He plays with aggression and is disruptive at the point of attack. On top of that, the young cornerback is not afraid to step up and make tackles in the run game. Head coach John Harbaugh called Hood a “pitbull.” In 2026, Hood will compete for a starting role on New York’s defense.
New York Giants Draft Grade: B+
Third Round, (74th Overall): Malachi Fields, Wide Receiver
Entering Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Giants did not own a third-round pick. However, they traded up with the Browns to the 74th overall pick. They selected wide receiver Malachi Fields out of Notre Dame. The 22-year-old is six-foot-four, 218 pounds, using size and strength to dominate his opponents. His pro comparison coming out of the draft is Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Fields does well on contested catches and will be a solid weapon for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. He is a big-bodied receiver who the Giants will pair with Malik Nabers long-term. Wide receiver was a posistion of need, and New York addressed it in round three.
New York Giants Draft Grade: B
Sixth Round, (186th Overall): Bobby Jamison-Travis, Defensive Line
On Day 3 of the 2026 NFL draft, the Giants had three selections, all of them in the sixth round. With pick 186, New York selected Bobby Jamison-Travis out of Auburn. He’s an older player coming out of the draft at 25. However, Jamison-Travis is a force in the middle of the defensive line. Dan Brugler of The Athletic said Jamison-Travis has a high motor and holds the point of attack well. Scouts were drawn to his work ethic and enthusiastic personality. Additionally, Jamison-Travis fills a posistion of need for the Giants after they traded Dexter Lawrence. If he learns quickly and adapts to the NFL, Bobby Jamison-Travis could see playing time as a rookie.
New York Giants Draft Grade: B-
Sixth Round, (192nd Overall): JC Davis, Offensive Line
With the second of their sixth-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft, the Giants selected JC Davis out of Illinois. He started his career at New Mexico before he transferred. As a member of the Fighting Illini, Davis was a full-time starter at offensive tackle. In 25 career starts at Illinois, he allowed just three sacks. The 22-year-old offers positional depth for New York, who already has bookend tackles on the roster. Andrew Thomas starts at left tackle, and Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle. The Giants drafted Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa 10th overall. However, he’s expected to play right guard for New York. For now, JC Davis is a depth piece for the Giants.
New York Giants Draft Grade: B-
Sixth Round, (193rd Overall): Jack Kelly, Linebacker
New York’s final pick of the 2026 NFL draft was BYU linebacker Jack Kelly. During his senior campaign with the Cougars, Kelly had a productive season with 10.0 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. NFL scouts widely viewed Kelly as the “toughest” player on his team. Growing up as a champion BMX racer, Kelly developed a fearless competitive nature. He’s translated those skills to the gridiron and got himself drafted to the league. The 23-year-old is explosive and can quickly diagnose the run. In 2026, Kelly will have to earn playing time as a linebacker. He could see action as a special teams ace early in his NFL career.
New York Giants Draft Grade: B
