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Every team is excited about their incoming class of rookies, but how will those new players affect each team in 2026?
Let's look at the New York Giants, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from their class while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
New York Giants 2026 Draft Class: Which Rookies Will Make an Impact?
From a best-available perspective, the Giants' selection of Arvell Reese (first round) was easy to justify, but it was a mildly surprising selection given the amount of money invested in Abdul Carter and Brian Burns. With Carter and Burns locked into jobs on the edge, Reese will presumably spend most of his time as an off-ball linebacker. That’s the role Reese played at Ohio State, so he should fit right in, but it does diminish his value relative to what he could have provided for a team as an edge rusher. Reese’s versatility will be an asset, and he’ll contribute on blitzes, but the Giants will likely blitz at one of the lowest rates in the league.
In another somewhat surprising move, Francis Mauigoa (first round) will be the one changing positions, moving from his right tackle spot to right guard, again diminishing the value of a talented player by putting him at the less valuable position. Mauigoa is a wide-bodied lineman who has the power to make the transition to guard, and his athleticism, which was ordinary for a tackle, could be an asset on the interior. Although he has no experience at guard, the traits fit perfectly, and with Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor each under contract for at least three more years, Mauigoa is probably locked into the interior offensive line.
Colton Hood (second round) is a developmental prospect who has an impressive combination of length and athleticism, but is underdeveloped after spending three years in college at three different programs. After spending time at Auburn and Colorado, Hood started for the first time at Tennessee, and his awareness in coverage was understandably lacking. It showed up in his inability to locate and play the ball. Based on route-adjusted data, Hood’s ball-hawk rate was 8.1% below expected with the Vols.
Malachi Fields (third round) is a big outside weapon who might emerge as a red-zone weapon for the Giants, though don’t expect him to ever be a high-volume receiver due to his struggles creating separation. The 6-foot-5 Fields could develop into a reliable second option in the offense if he improves his ability to adjust to the ball and contested catches. Fields’ career route-adjusted catch rate of 0.5% above expected is concerningly low for someone with his size and catch radius. If that doesn’t improve, he might just be another Chase Claypool, a big target whose inconsistent play quickly becomes frustrating.
Bobby Jamison-Travis (sixth round) is one of five interior linemen the Giants added to the depth chart this offseason. He’ll compete for a backup spot at nose tackle, but a roster spot is not guaranteed, given the amount of competition for that job. The 322-pound Jamison-Travis generated just 18 pressures and 1 sack during his three seasons at Auburn, so don’t expect him to contribute as anything more than a space-eating nose tackle on early downs.
J.C. Davis (sixth round) played left tackle at New Mexico and Illinois and has the length to stay in that spot, but he also has the body type and power of a guard. The Giants will likely try him out at guard and use him as a four-position backup. If it goes well in training camp, that versatility will make him a valuable addition to the depth chart.
Jack Kelly (sixth round) played on almost every special teams unit during his career at Weber State and BYU, which should allow him to make the roster as a backup linebacker. His 20% missed tackle rate last year and 21% during his two years at BYU raise serious doubts about his ability to ever get on the field at linebacker.
The Giants didn’t necessarily get the best value out of their early draft picks, but since this team is in rebuilding mode, it is more important to get those picks right than worry about value. As long as Reese and Mauigoa turn into long-term starters, this class will be deemed a success.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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