x
Harbaugh addresses Nabers' questions about Giants' 2026 draft class
New York Giants coach John Harbaugh. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

HC John Harbaugh addresses WR Malik Nabers' questions about Giants' 2026 draft class

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh insists wide receiver Malik Nabers is now warming up to the team's incoming rookies. 

Nabers openly questioned the Giants selecting Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (pick No. 5) during a Bleacher Report livestream of the 2026 NFL Draft. Harbaugh, entering his first season as Giants HC, said he has since explained to the wideout how he plans to use the pass-rusher.

John Harbaugh discusses Malik Nabers' complaints about draft class 

"I showed him how we're going to use [Reese]. He's fired up about it," Harbaugh said Saturday, per Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper. "I appreciate it. You know one thing that you'll probably kind of see as we go here. We don't get too worried about stuff."

"So Malik wants to know how to use our first-round pick, I want to show him," the coach continued. "I want to explain it to him. The fact that he says it publicly, who cares? I know fans are probably thinking the same thing. It was the same question that everyone is going to have, and we knew that, because we knew how kind of Arvell was perceived."

Reese was considered a similar player to Giants LB Abdul Carter, the No. 3 pick of the 2025 draft. That left one-time Pro Bowler Nabers wondering about the fit. 

"Don't get me wrong, I love the player, but like, where do you play?" Nabers said during the first round of the draft. "You wanna be on the outside and rush, but we just drafted somebody last year to do the same position."

The Giants already have another outside LB in Brian Burns, a 2025 second-team All-Pro. Thus, they may have to move Reese to inside LB or consider trading someone. The New Orleans Saints are rumored to be interested in New York defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. Dealing him would allow Burns or Carter to switch positions. 

Nabers now may understand the plan for Reese, but he still won't comprehend why New York passed on Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. The 2025 first-team All-American fell to the Dallas Cowboys at pick No. 11 after New York grabbed Miami Hurricanes offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. 

"I'd rather get him than play against him," Nabers told Green Bay Packers DE Micah Parsons and Bleacher Report host Adam Lefkoe.

Nabers may not love the team's choices in the draft, but at least he and Harbaugh have discussed them. It shows they can openly communicate, which will be imperative in building a strong working relationship. 

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!