At the 2026 NFL draft, the Giants had two picks inside the top ten. At fifth overall, New York selected linebacker Arvell Reese out of Ohio State. He’s expected to start in 2026 next to veteran Tremaine Edmunds. With pick #10, the Giants selected Francis “Sisi” Mauigoa out of Miami. While he played right tackle in college, the team is expected to move Mauigoa inside to right guard.
Recently, Brandon London of the New York Post Sports spoke with former Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey. They discussed the team’s 2026 draft class and which players will make a real impact. Shockey showed high praise for his fellow Hurricane. He believes Mauigoa can be “an All-Pro guard” in his first season.”
SiSi Mauigoa has the tools to make an immediate impact for the Giants
Jeremy Shockey knows Mauigoa will not be a pick that New York regrets
The first six years of Jeremy Shockey’s career were spent with the Giants. He was the 14th overall pick by New York in the 2002 NFL draft out of Miami. In his first professional season, Shockey had 74 receptions for 874 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl and received first-team All-Pro as a rookie. In his first season with New York, Shockey made a massive impact for the team.
Shockey believes Mauigoa has that same potential for the Giants. The two-time Super Bowl champion tight end and Mauigoa share the same alma mater. Both attended the University of Miami. He got a first-hand look over the last three seasons at just how dominant Mauigoa can be. In that interview with Brandon London, Shockey set the bar high for the 20-year-old. If Mauigoa reaches his potential in year one, Shockey believes he could be “an All-Pro guard.”
Riley Matheson was the last rookie guard to be named first-team All-Pro in their first season. The player who has come the closest to that honor since then was rookie guard Quenton Nelson from the Colts. He was named second-team All-Pro in his first season. It’s extremely rare for a rookie guard to earn first-team All-Pro honors. However, Shockey believes Mauigoa has what it takes. Can the young offensive lineman make a statement in year one?
Francis Mauigoa has been cross-training to prepare for guard in the NFL
In three seasons at Miami, Mauigoa made 42 consecutive starts at right tackle. He was a durable player for the Hurricanes and never missed a game. While tackle was his posistion at the collegiate level, Mauigoa is traning to play guard in the NFL. Speaking with New York media, Mauigoa shared that he has been working with former Giants center Jon Feliciano at Triple F Elite Sports Training in Knoxville.
Feliciano was the starting center for New York in 2022, the last season they made the playoffs. He appeared in 15 of their 17 regular-season games. During his nine-year career, Feliciano took snaps at center and guard. It’s not uncommon for an offensive lineman to play multiple positions. Mauigoa wants a spot on the Giants’ starting offensive line. His best opportunity as a rookie is at right guard. Feliciano told Mauigoa it should be easier to switch from tackle to guard in the NFL.
