
Judge grants Oklahoma LB Heinecke extra year
Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke granted an extra year of eligibility for 2026 after court ruling.
The Giants are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, holding the No. 5 overall pick. They are evaluating prospects, including Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, who may be available if they trade back.
As the Giants prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft ā which runs from next Thursday through Saturday ā we are examining the prospects they might pick in Round 1.
John Harbaughās team currently owns the No. 5 overall pick. And while Harbaugh could decide to trade back, most of the prospects weāll break down are options for them with the fifth pick.
Weāve already covered Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State edge rusher/linebacker Arvell Reese and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Next up ā Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, who likely wonāt be the Giantsā pick at No. 5 but could land in East Rutherford if they trade back.
⢠Measurables: 6-foot-5, 329 pounds
⢠Age (as of Week 1): 21
⢠Rankings (via Pro Football Focus): No. 7 overall, No. 1 at position (offensive tackle)
⢠Testing: He didnāt do on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, but then delivered encouraging results at Miamiās pro day. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.12 seconds and measured 29 inches in the vertical jump.
⢠Notable stats: While starting every game at right tackle for Miami from 2023-25, Mauigoa allowed just eight sacks, including two in 2025 and one in 2024. He also surrendered just eight total quarterback hits across that three-season stretch, during which he played 2,801 snaps.
Harbaugh still has major issues at both guard spots, especially right guard. Maybe he sees Mauigoa as a long-term guard solution. But again, Harbaugh surely will not draft Mauigoa at No. 5. He is a prospect to consider if the Giants trade back.
The top prospects include Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, Jeremiyah Love, and Francis Mauigoa.
Holding the No. 5 pick gives the Giants a strong opportunity to select a high-impact player or trade back for additional assets.
Francis Mauigoa is an offensive lineman from Miami, and he could be a valuable addition if the Giants decide to trade back in the draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to run from next Thursday through Saturday.

Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke granted an extra year of eligibility for 2026 after court ruling.
Watch Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav's priceless reactions to Shreyas Iyer's stunning catch in IPL 2026!
Baltimore Orioles' Craig Albernaz greeted by kids' decor on return to Cleveland post-injury.
Bayern Munich plans major changes at youth campus, including U-19 head coach dismissal.
Astros look to sweep Rockies tonight with Ryan Weiss starting!
Aston Villa marks a decade since relegation with a strong European performance under Unai Emery.
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.
⢠Why Giants might not draft him: Harbaugh already has his right tackle (at least for now), since he re-signed Jermaine Eluemunor. So unless Harbaugh views Mauigoa as a guard, drafting him doesnāt make much sense. And if the Giants stick at No. 5, they likely will take another player, like Styles, Love or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
⢠Scouting report (via NFL.com): āHighly touted prospect who met expectations as a durable three-year starter at right tackle. Mauigoa has a guardās broad build, but he moves like a tackle in pass sets. Heās highly experienced with an impressive football IQ that pops on tape. He has good contact balance and a strong core. He delivers firm first contact but excessive leaning diminishes not only his leverage and sustain as a run blocker but also his ability to deal with spin counters when protecting.
āHeās good at trapping rushers at the turn and can smother their momentum. He has the footwork, anchor and punch timing to diversify his pass-set approach. He works with an innate feel for pocket depth and is rarely out-paced to the top by speed. Mauigoa has a high ceiling but the leaning must be eradicated. Heāll be an early starter at right tackle but a move to guard could be on the table in the future.ā
The Giants are sitting at +105 to win over 7.5 total games next season on DraftKings. Our comprehensive DraftKings Sportsbook review shows you how to navigate their app.
Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.