The New York Giants had a successful 2026 NFL draft, with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach John Harbaugh making impactful selections. However, not all players benefited from the draft outcomes.
Key points
New York Giants had a successful 2026 NFL draft
General manager Joe Schoen and head coach John Harbaugh made impactful selections
The draft class includes seven picks
Some players did not benefit from the draft outcomes
The draft aims to address immediate and long-term needs
Mentioned in this story
Joe SchoenJohn Harbaugh
New York Giants
2026 NFL draft: New York Giants' biggest winners and losers
The New York Giants are riding high after general manager Joe Schoen and head coach John Harbaugh hit a home run (at least on paper) in the 2026 NFL draft. Their seven-pick class potentially provides solutions for the immediate future and the long-term of the franchise.
But not everyone came away from the draft in a good position.
Here's a snapshot of the Giants' biggest winners and losers following the draft.
Giants select Arvell Reese
Giants select Francis Mauigoa
New York Giants select Colton Hood
Q&A
Who were the biggest winners for the New York Giants in the 2026 NFL draft?
The biggest winners for the New York Giants included players who are expected to fill key roles and enhance the team's performance moving forward.
What were the main reasons some players were considered losers in the Giants' 2026 NFL draft?
Some players were deemed losers due to limited opportunities or competition for their positions following the draft selections.
How many picks did the New York Giants have in the 2026 NFL draft?
The New York Giants had seven picks in the 2026 NFL draft.
What impact will the 2026 NFL draft have on the Giants' future?
The draft is expected to provide both immediate solutions and long-term benefits for the New York Giants franchise.
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There is perhaps no one who benefited more from the Giants' draft haul than second-year quarterback Jaxosn Dart. Not only did Big Blue provide Dart with a big-bodied, contested-catch wizard in Malachi Fields, but they also significantly beefed up the starting offensive line with Francis Mauigoa and the unit's depth with J.C. Davis.
For the same reason that Dart benefited, guards Evan Neal and Joshua Ezeudu lost. Both players already faced an uphill battle after the signing of Daniel Faalele, and now they'll be in a fierce battle for a roster spot due to the additions of Mauigoa and Davis.
Yes, they have a fresh slate under Harbaugh, who insists the pair are motivated, but they're on very thin ice at this point. Come Week 1, neither may be on the 53-man roster.
Winner: Charlie Bullen, Frank Bush
Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen and inside linebackers coach Frank Bush have to be grinning ear-to-ear. Not only did the best linebacker talent in the draft, Arvell Reese, fall right into their laps, but they landed an underrated potential stud in Jack Kelly during the sixth round. Reese is a Day 1 starter and Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, while Kelly has the mindset and athletic profile to turn into one of the biggest steals of 2026.
Micah McFadden doesn't face the same roster battle as the aforementioned Neal and Ezeudu, but his time as a starter appears to be over. The Giants have already committed to Reese as a starting inside linebacker alongside free agent addition Tremaine Edmunds, while Kelly's versatility also positions him to eat into some of McFadden's snaps.
Winner: GM Joe Schoen
General manager Joe Schoen entered the 2026 draft in an undesirable position. His influence had been reduced under Harbaugh and the new regime, with the power structure shifting. Many believed that if Schoen whiffed over the three-day draft, he would likely be handed his walking papers.
That notion is out the window.
Say whatever you want about Schoen, but he put on a masterclass (again) in evaluating prospect value and pick projections. His ability to foresee what teams want which players, and when those picks are going to be made, that it drew immediate public praise from Harbaugh.
Another player with a "clean slate" took a hit during the draft. The Giants selected cornerback Colton Hood in Round 2, and he's expected to start on Day 1 alongside Paulson Adebo. Even with Cor'Dale Flott now in Tennessee, Banks finds himself on the outside looking in.
Free agent signee Greg Newsome is likely to assume the CB3 role, while Dru Phillips continues holding things down at nickel. That leaves Banks competing with the likes of Korie Black, Art Green, and Jarrick Bernard-Converse for a roster spot.