Why the Giants selected Francis Mauigoa over Caleb Downs during the 2026 NFL Draft

Before the 2026 NFL Draft got underway, the New York Giants were heavily linked with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Thus, some were surprised when the Giants passed on Downs to instead select Ohio State pass-rusher Arvell Reese at pick No. 5 and Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa with the 10th overall choice. 

On Tuesday, NFL insider Dan Graziano of ESPN explained why the Dallas Cowboys were able to trade up to draft Downs at pick No. 11.

Giants wanted to get help for their defense and for Jaxson Dart during the draft

"I think there's a chance they'd have taken Downs at No. 5 if Reese had been picked in the top four," Graziano said about the Giants. "But what became clear to me after the draft, in talking to people around that situation, is that the Giants were determined to use one of their two top-10 picks on an offensive player in an effort to support second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. That could have meant running back Jeremiyah Love if he'd been there at No. 5. It could have meant wide receivers Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson if they'd been there at No. 10. Ultimately, it meant locking in the player the Giants identified as the best offensive lineman in the draft to help fortify Dart's protection."

The Arizona Cardinals took Love with the draft's third pick, while the Tennessee Titans surprised many when they selected Tate at No. 4. Tyson went off the board when he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints at pick No. 8. 

Thus, the Giants ultimately ended the draft's first round with Reese and with a lineman who is "ready to die" to protect Dart this coming fall. For what it's worth, Dane Brugler of The Athletic named Reese as the top overall player in the 2026 draft class. 

Will concerns about Jaxson Dart cause Giants to regret letting Caleb Downs end up with the Cowboys?

"Teams try to maximize young quarterbacks' chances to succeed whenever they can," Graziano added, "and picking Mauigoa over a second defensive standout was the Giants' way of doing that."

That's all well and good, but Downs could make things difficult for Dart twice a season if the defensive prospect reaches his ceiling while with the Cowboys.