Giants Pass on Downs, Snag Reese & Mauigoa

0:00It's April 24th, I'm Cory with the story, and this is NFL News Today, your AI-powered football briefing. Giants fans have their hearts set on Ohio State Safety, Caleb Downs going to Big Blue in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft Thursday night. But shockingly the team passed on him twice at picks 5 and 10, grabbing other top talents instead. At number 5, they snagged Downs' teamy, linebacker Arville Reese, who surprisingly fell right to them. Then at number 10, General Manager Joe Schoen and coach John Harbaugh jumped on Miami offensive lineman Francis Maui Goa to beef up their shaky. Interior line. Fans, players and pundits were stunned, expecting Downs to anchor the secondary. Schoen admitted they hoped he'd be there, but saw few scenarios where that happened, while Harbaugh hyped Reese as their top non-quarterback pick, Versatile enough to play anywhere on defense. Reese brings that position, less flexibility, lining up next to stars like Tremaine Edmonds in every gap, even off the edge.

1:06Maui Goa impressed with his toughness and a classy TV interview shouting out a teammate, showing the leadership they crave. Downs landed with rivals Dallas, and another Buckeye, linebacker Sonny Stiles, went to Washington. Still, locking in 220-year-old studs for 5 years, builds a young foundation that's got the giants buzzing heading into the rest of the draft.