New York Giants Rookie Forecast 2026

Solid Starter

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami – Round 1

The Giants got a quality season out of right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor during the 2025 season, and New York paid good money to re-sign Eluemunor. They also signed former Raven Daniel Faalele, and re-signed former top-10 pick Evan Neal. Despite those moves, they drafted Mauigoa with the 10th-overall pick that they acquired from trading Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati.

In pass protection, Mauigoa showed improvement and became a reliable protector in his final season. Mauigoa has natural strength, and his ability to sustain blocks is superb. When Mauigoa gets his hands on defenders, they are done and have zero ability to get a second effort. Mauigoa has a strong anchor to stop bull rushes, and power rushers really struggle to get any kind of pressure against him. Mauigoa could use some development for taking on speed rushers, and that is why some scouts feel he might be best moving inside. He sometimes is too shallow in his drop, and that leads to him reaching or lunging after rushers. He needs to improve his ability to keep his feet moving. He could stand to improve his hand placement in pass sets as well. Mauigoa is a talented player, so some of these issues could be improved with NFL coaching.

In the ground game, Mauigoa is nasty at the point of attack and a real force. He has the sheer power to reset the line of scrimmage and knock defenders backward. With brute force, Mauigoa can drive them off the ball and create movement for his back. With a developed upper body, Mauigoa has the strength to control, turn, and manipulate defenders at the point of attack. With violence and tenacity, drive will finish off opponents and pound them into the turf. While drive is a mauler, he is able to hit blocks on the second level and is able to kick out to the perimeter. Mauigoa is quick as a puller and getting out on perimeter runs. He moves well in space to hit blocks in the open field and is excellent on screens. With a serious mean streak, Mauigoa blocks through the whistle and is very physical. Mauigoa is an asset in short-yardage situations and can win blocks over defenders even when they know what is coming. He should be an asset as a run blocker in the NFL quickly in his pro career.

Multiple team sources feel that Mauigoa might be a better fit at guard in the NFL, and that is where he will compete as a rookie. Mauigoa might be an immediate starter, but over time, I think he will emerge as a quality starter at right tackle or guard.

2025: Darius Alexander, DT
2024: Tyler Nubin, S
2023: John Michael Schmitz, C
2022: Evan Neal, OT
2021: Aaron Robinson, CB
2020: Xavier McKinney, S
2019: DeAndre Baker, CB
2018: Will Hernandez, G
2017: Dalvin Tomlinson, DT
2016: Sterling Shepard, WR
2015: Owa Odighizuwa, DE
2014: Weston Richburg, C
2013: Justin Pugh, G

Most Likely To Bust

Of the Giants’ picks on day one and day two, I do not see a player that I think is likely to bust. I think the first-rounders should turn into solid starters even if they have to change positions in the NFL. I think second-round cornerback Colton Hood will turn into a capable starter, and I think third-round pick Malachi Fields will at least be a solid No. 3 or 4 receiver. I do see a serious bust potential player in any of their four selections from day one and day two.

2025: Jaxson Dart, QB
2024: None
2023: Jalin Hyatt, WR
2022: Joshua Ezeudu, G
2021: Azeez Ojulari, DE
2020: Darnay Holmes, CB
2019: Oshane Ximines, LB
2018: Lorenzo Carter, LB
2017: Davis Webb, QB
2016: Darian Thompson, S
2015: Landon Collins, S
2014: Jay Bromley, DT
2013: Damontre Moore, DE

Potential Boom Pick

The Giants turned two picks in the top 10 into an off-ball linebacker and a guard, and that is terrible positional value for New York. Arvell Reese is a great physical talent, but he is very raw and needs to be taught a lot. It would not shock me if he turned into a good pro or if he was a bust similar to other hybrid linebackers like Isaiah Simmons or Haason Reddick. I think taking Reese over Jordyn Tyson was a huge mistake. Tyson would have been a co-No. 1 receiver with Malik Nabers, and that duo could have turned the Giants into one of the most potent and dangerous young passing attacks in the NFL. Nabers is coming off an ACL injury, and he could have a down season, as is common for many players returning from that injury. Plus, he will be facing a ton of double teams when he does get back on the field. Hence, it would make a lot of sense to have a skilled separation receiver for Jaxson Dart to work with in year two.

Mauigoa is a solid pick to be a quality starter, but he might only be a guard, and taking a guard in the top 10 is poor value. They could have had a better prospect in Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, and then landed a guard in the second round.

In the course of NFL history, no coach has won a Super Bowl with a second franchise. I think this draft laid the foundation for John Harbaugh to extend that streak with his second head coaching job.

2025: Abdul Carter, OLB
2024: Malik Nabers, WR
2023: Deonte Banks, CB
2022: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE
2021: Kadarius Toney, WR
2020: Andrew Thomas, OT
2019: Dexter Lawrence, DT
2018: Saquon Barkley, RB
2017: Evan Engram, TE
2016: Eli Apple, CB
2015: Ereck Flowers, OT
2014: Odell Beckham Jr., WR
2013: Johnathan Hankins, DT

Future Depth Player

Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame – Round 3

For the NFL, Fields is a tall, long receiver who is a red-zone weapon and provides a size mismatch for the NFL. He is a dangerous red-zone threat given his massive wingspan, height, leaping ability, and strong hands. Fields is a possession receiver who is capable after the catch, as he will dart into the secondary and power his way through defensive backs after making short catches on slants, crossers, and digs. On back shoulder throws or jump balls, Fields is very skilled at boxing out defenders and making the catch over them. On 50-50 jump balls, Fields is a dynamic playmaker.

Fields is not a burner wide receiver who is going to torch NFL cornerbacks with speed. Higgins lacks a second gear and has one play speed through his routes. He is a long strider that lacks twitchy quickness. Thus, he could have separation issues with some pro cornerbacks. The Giants need help at receiver across from Malik Nabers, and I think Fields could be a solid receiver who is either a capable starter or a solid depth contributor.

2025: Cam Skattebo, RB
2024: Tyrone Tracy, RB
2023: Eric Gray, RB
2022: Daniel Bellinger, TE
2021: Elerson Smith, DE
2020: Shane Lemieux, G
2019: Darius Slayton, WR
2018: Kyle Lauletta, QB
2017: Wayne Gallman, RB
2016: Paul Perkins, RB
2015: Bobby Hart, G
2014: Andre Williams, RB
2013: Ryan Nassib, QB