Full Breakdown
Giants Pass on Caleb Downs Twice: Draft Decisions, Reactions, and Implications
4/25/2026, 10:47:14 AM
The Draft Moves: Picks #5, #10, and #11
On night two of the 2026 NFL Draft, New York selected linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 5 and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10. The following pick, No. 11, was taken by the Dallas Cowboys, who traded up to claim Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. The Giants therefore passed on Downs twice, first at No. 5 and again at No. 10.
Giants’ Rationale: Official Statements
General manager Joe Schoen said the team “stuck with the board” and that Reese was the highest-rated non-quarterback prospect still available when they drafted him. Head coach John Harbaugh emphasized Reese’s positional flexibility, describing the defense as “pretty flexible, position-less.” Both executives framed the selections as addressing interior needs on defense and the offensive line after the Dexter Lawrence trade.
Player Profiles and Statistics
Caleb Downs entered the draft after a senior season that produced 68 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one sack for Ohio State’s No. 1 defense. He also recorded two interceptions in each of his three collegiate seasons. Linebacker Arvell Reese finished his Ohio State career with 69 combined tackles (34 solo) and 6.5 sacks. Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa started every game at right tackle for Miami, allowing the lowest pressure rate among the Hurricanes in the 2025-26 season and is projected to shift to right guard in the NFL.
Criticism from Within: Malik Nabers’ Reaction
Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers publicly questioned the decision to forgo Downs, asking, “Don’t get me wrong, I love the player, but where do you play [him]?” He argued that the Dexter Lawrence trade created a hole on the interior line that Reese would not fill. Nabers later exclaimed, “I’d rather get him than play against him,” and repeated that Downs is “really good,” indicating strong personal disappointment.
Cowboys’ Perspective: Targeting a Versatile Safety
Dallas framed Downs as a “nickel who is able to cover like a corner, blitz like a safety, and fit the run like a linebacker.” The team highlighted his ability to play both inside the box and in deep coverage, positioning him as a potential cornerstone for a defense that struggled with consistency in 2025.
Why It Matters for Both Teams
For New York, the selections address two immediate roster gaps: interior defensive-line depth after trading Dexter Lawrence and offensive-line protection for a mobile quarterback. However, passing on a top safety may limit defensive flexibility in the NFC East. Dallas, by acquiring Downs, gains a player who can immediately contribute to a secondary seeking identity, potentially improving matchups against mobile quarterbacks such as Jaxson Dart and Jalen Hurts.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Giants officials claim they did not anticipate Downs being available at No. 5 or No. 10, yet critics note that Downs was widely projected as a top-15 talent before the draft. No public statement from Dallas explains why they chose to trade up rather than select another position-specific prospect, leaving the strategic calculus of the trade partially undocumented.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No. No. We hoped,” Schoen said after the Giants drafted Reese. “But there weren't a lot of scenarios that we went through where he may be available.” — Joe Schoen, GM, New York Giants
- “Arvell is a versatile player, and we're going to play him at inside backer, Will linebacker,” Harbaugh added. “Our defense is pretty flexible, position-less, you might call it.” — John Harbaugh, Head Coach, New York Giants
- “I'm ready to die for you.” — Francis Mauigoa, message to Jaxson Dart (ACC Network tweet)
- “Don’t get me wrong, I love the player, but where do you play [him]?” — Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, New York Giants
- “I’d rather get him than play against him.” — Malik Nabers, on Caleb Downs selection
- “able to cover like a corner, blitz like a safety, and fit the run like a linebacker.” — Dallas Cowboys draft commentary on Caleb Downs
What’s Next
The Giants will integrate Reese into a hybrid linebacker scheme and develop Mauigoa on the interior line during rookie minicamp. Dallas plans to bring Downs into nickel packages early in training camp, with veteran safety Micah Parsons expected to mentor him. Both franchises will assess the immediate impact of these picks as the 2026 preseason approaches.
