Why Giants Didn't Draft Caleb Downs and Details on NY's Big Board Revealed in New NFL Rumors

The New York Giants addressed both sides of the ball with their two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft last month, but some fans were still left disappointed over a player they didn't select.

After selecting Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the No. 5 pick, the Giants surprised many when they used the No. 10 pick to select Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa while Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs was still on the board. Downs was taken by the Dallas Cowboys one pick later after they traded up from No. 12 to No. 11.

ESPN's Dan Graziano explained that the Cowboys had tried to trade up to No. 9 to get Downs because they were "fearful that the Giants would take him." He noted that while there was "a chance" New York would've selected Downs at No. 5 if it hadn't landed Reese, the team's goal was always to use one of the two picks on an offensive player.

"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," Graziano stated. "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."

B/R's Brent Sobleski graded New York's selection of Reese an A, but he graded Mauigoa's selection a C. The Cowboys scored an A++ for landing Downs, who Sobleski described as "the steal of the draft."

Now, the Giants will have to go up against Downs twice a year when they meet the NFC East rival Cowboys. Fans will surely be comparing him to Reese and Mauigoa throughout their respective careers.