Giants news, 4/24: Giants draft Arvell Reese, Francis Mauigoa in Round 1

Other Giant observations

2026 NFL live draft updates: Pros, cons for a¢ll Round 1 picks | ESPN.com

5. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio State. Why they picked him: Quite simply, he’s one of the best prospects in this draft. The Giants didn’t expect him to be available when they selected fifth. Reese projects primarily as an edge rusher but also has played inside linebacker at Ohio State. He can move around the field and is a unique athlete, having run the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at 241 pounds. As general manager Joe Schoen said back at the NFL scouting combine: “You can’t have enough pass rushers.” That applies here.

10. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami. Why they picked him: He was considered by many to be the top offensive lineman in this draft. He can start at the vacant right guard spot and potentially slide out to tackle in future years if Andrew Thomas struggles with injuries or when Jermaine Eluemunor’s contract expires. Mauigoa had just 11 snaps as a guard at Miami and was a consensus All American this past season at right tackle. His 1.1% pressure percentage allowed was third- best in FBS. Mauigoa plays with the size and strength that should transition well to guard. Some NFL evaluators think his best fit is actually as a guard.

New teammates

How Arvell Reese affects Kayvon Thibodeaux’s Giants future after NFL draft surprise | New York Post

John Harbaugh’s Giants are happy to abide by the old adage, “the more, the merrier,” on the edge for 2026. Moments after Big Blue made a surprising pivot and drafted pass rusher Arvell Reese with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Harbaugh told reporters that the team has no plans to trade edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, the No. 5 pick in 2022.

“We keep all the good players as much as we can, right?” Harbaugh said as he turned to GM Joe Schoen.

“Yup,” Schoen replied.

“We love Kayvon,” Harbaugh added.

Giants’ John Harbaugh: Arvell Reese, Francis Mauigoa ‘strengthen us down the middle’ | New York Daily News

Harbaugh said of the reasons why the Giants ultimately traded the star defensive tackle: “I don’t know. There were a lot of factors, a lot of layers to it,” including some “financial,” some “family” and the fact that sometimes it’s a “part of somebody’s career when it’s time to make a change.”

“We wanted Dexter to be happy, but we wanted to take care of the Giants first,” he said. “Tonight it’s pretty clear cut that it’s a W for us.”

Tiki: Trading Dex part of resetting the culture

Want to understand Harbaugh’s Giants plan? Look back at the Ravens seven years ago | The Athletic

With eight total picks in the 2019 draft, the Ravens selected Marquise “Hollywood” Brown with the No. 25 pick. Two of their next three picks were used on offensive skill players: wide receiver Miles Boykin and running back Justice Hill. With their final draft pick, they added Trace McSorley to the quarterback room alongside Robert Griffin III, who had re-signed on a two-year deal. But the draft wasn’t just about getting players for Jackson, it was about getting good players as a whole.

“The goal for Harbaugh and Roman was obvious: create an offense that allows Jackson, a dynamic athlete, and a work-in-progress thrower and decision-maker, to play to his strengths” Zreibec wrote in 2019 of the offseason changes as a whole.

Veteran minicamp wraps up | Giants.com

The defensive line got into the mix throughout practice once they went to team portions. Brian Burns and Abdul Carter both got near the quarterback multiple times. On one play, Carter forced the quarterback to step up in the pocket into the awaiting Darius Alexander, who had multiple pressures. Chauncey Golston batted a pass down near the line of scrimmage. Coverage was often tight.

Jaxson Dart finished practice on a strong note in the final team red zone period, putting excellent touch on a ball to Theo Johnson, who had slipped behind the linebackers. It floated over the defense’s head and into Johnson’s hands, who got his feet in and scored the touchdown. Celebration ensued. Cam Skattebo has been out there in a helmet going through all the drills, and Malik Nabers was spotted on the sideline Tuesday talking with team executives.

Giants 2026 NFL Draft Primer: Needs, scenarios, and more | SNY.tv

The Lawrence trade came with an added bonus as the Giants created some much-needed cap wiggle room. They now have $18.1 million, per OverTheCap.com. The figure does dip to $3.198 million in effective money, which takes into account what they must pay their rookies.

Expect the Giants to do some cap gymnastics after Saturday. A restructure for safety Jevon Holland ($12.9 million base salary), tackle Andrew Thomas ($15.9 million) and corner Paulson Adebo ($17.2 million) makes sense. The Giants plan on signing defensive tackle DJ Reader and had wideout Odell Beckham Jr. take a physical on Monday. They’ll need that money to accomplish those things.

Around the league

Makai Lemon drafted by the Eagles reactions: More A.J. Brown trade confirmation | Bleeding Green Nation

Cowboys trade up to select Ohio State S Caleb Downs with No. 11 overall pick | NFL.com

Cowboys NFL Draft 2026: Dallas selects Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF at pick 23 | Blogging the Boys

Report: George Pickens will sign the franchise tag | Pro Football Talk

The Washington Commanders Select Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State in the First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft | Hogs Haven

Sauce Gardner feels no added pressure with Colts having no first-rounder: ‘I’m the first-round pick two times’ | NFL.com

Roger Goodell talks 18-game schedule, DOJ investigation in pre-draft interview | The Athletic

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