The New York Giants used their two top-10 selections on Ohio State star Arvell Reese at No. 5 and Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa at No. 10. Surprisingly, they passed on widely expected target Caleb Downs at both picks, and the Dallas Cowboys then traded up one spot with the Miami Dolphins to grab Downs at No. 11.
Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, who was livestreaming the first round with Micah Parsons, didn’t hide his frustration. His reaction to both of his team’s selections raised eyebrows, and it looked like an uncomfortable moment for the franchise.
Malik Nabers Questions Giants’ Draft Strategy
The Giants have invested heavily in the edge-rushing position in recent drafts. They selected Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5 overall in 2022, traded for Brian Burns ahead of the 2024 season, and used the No. 3 overall pick on Abdul Carter just last April. All three remain on the roster, so when New York called Reese’s name, Nabers struggled to see the logic.
“I love the player [Reese], but just like… where do you play?” Nabers said. “You want to be on the outside and rush, but we just drafted somebody last year [Carter] to do that.”
The frustration didn’t stop there as Nabers expected the Giants to address the massive hole left with Dexter Lawrence’s trade to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 pick just days before the draft.
“We just traded Dex [Dexter Lawrence], you need interior D-line,” Nabers added. “I understand getting an outside backer, he wants to rush, okay, cool, but I’m saying though, when you eliminate something from there, you have to put something in back.”
The Giants then selected Mauigoa with the 10th overall pick, but Nabers wanted them to draft Downs instead. The LSU product was also upset that he would have to face Downs twice a year because of the Cowboys’ selection.
“I’d rather get (Caleb) Downs than play against Downs,” Nabers said. “That’s all I’m saying… Jaxson [Dart] did mention that he wanted an offensive lineman in this draft. But is [Mauigoa] going to play inside? We just paid (right tackle Jermaine) Eluemunor, we got [Andrew Thomas] on the left side. Okay, so he has to play guard, but a lot of his film at Miami is not guard.”
“We could’ve got the playmaker now. We need another playmaker in the deep zone,” Nabers added while expressing his desire for Downs.
Downs, a first-team All-American who recorded 2 interceptions and 5 tackles for loss in 2025 at Ohio State, was viewed by many as a Hall of Fame-caliber player. He was also the top-ranked prospect on PFSN’s Big Board with a grade of 93.39.
Nabers then took to social media to say he wasn’t unhappy with the Giants’ first-round draft picks. “First off, we have to stop overreacting,” he wrote on X. “I would never intentionally take away from the biggest moment/night of Arvell’s life. Very excited to see him play on the team and happy that we have another dawg on the squad!!”
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The Giants’ rationale for Reese’s selection was simple. He is viewed as the prospect with the highest ceiling in this class and could play a role similar to Parsons. Having him slip to the fifth overall pick was a surprising outcome, and New York didn’t hesitate to grab him.
According to PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, the Giants’ defense ranked 23rd in the league last season with an impact score of 69.7, and they will hope Reese will help change that.
Moreover, it gives the Giants more flexibility regarding Kayvon Thibodeaux’s future, as they can now trade him rather than sign him to a contract extension.
As for Mauigoa, the selection is a direct investment in protecting Dart. Harbaugh’s Ravens teams consistently prioritized the offensive line around Lamar Jackson, and the head coach will do the same in New York.
