New York Giants Making Their First Two Draft Picks Count

The New York Giants struggled through the 2025 season, firing their head coach Brian Daboll and ultimately finishing with a 4-13 record. The team and the fans needed something; something to give them genuine hope. Jaxson Dart had a promising rookie year, but with the injuries to star receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo, the team needed to make a splash.

Well, on January 17th, the Giants did a cannonball into the deep end by hiring former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh to be their next head coach.

John Harbaugh is a big name and a winning coach. He is known for many things, including 18 seasons as the Baltimore Ravens Head Coach and winning a Super Bowl in that time. He is the brother of Jim Harbaugh, the former NFL quarterback, former head coach of the 49ers, former national championship coach at the University of Michigan, and current head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

But what most people don’t realize or remember is that John Harbaugh was the Special Teams Coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles before being hired by the Ravens. Harbaugh coached the defensive backs and special teams for nine seasons under the leadership of Eagles coach Andy Reid. Yes, the same Andy Reid that left Philadelphia to coach the Kansas City Chiefs to three Super Bowl victories.

John Harbaugh understands the NFC East well, and it is clear to see from the draft that Harbaugh knew exactly what he needed to compete. The NFC East is filled with quarterbacks who are not just efficient passers but athletic enough to escape the rush and make big plays downfield. Jayden Daniels, Dak Prescott, and Jalen Hurts are all Pro Bowl quarterbacks, so when the Giants selected Edge rusher/Linebacker Arvell Reese in the first round of this year’s NFL draft, fans could see how necessary Harbaugh thought a strong defensive line would be to compete.

Arvell Reese was possibly the best athlete in this year’s draft. He is only 20 years old, and although he is very raw, his potential is off the charts. Weighing 241 pounds and running a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash, Reese is as fast as many top wide receivers (and actually his 40 time was faster than his teammate at Ohio State, Carnell Tate). He was only a full-time starter this past season at Ohio State but was all over the field for one of the top defenses in the country.

While with the Buckeyes, Reese learned under former NFL head coach and DC Matt Patricia, so the Giants are hopeful that he should be able to pick up the nuances of the NFL quicker than most players. Adding Reese to Pro Bowler Brian Burns and last year's first-rounder Abdul Carter, Harbaugh and the Giants believe they have a defensive line that can compete in the NFC East and beyond.

With the 10th pick in the draft, the Giants selected offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa out of the University of Miami. To put it mildly, Mauigoa is a big man who plays angry. He has the exact attitude Harbaugh wants in a football player. Mauigoa famously told Jaxson Dart in his interview right after being drafted that he would “die for you, man”. While that statement is a little on the dramatic side, John Harbaugh had a smile from ear to ear, hearing his newest addition wants to compete at the highest level. Mauigoa was a first-team AP All-American in 2025. He is a good enough athlete to play either guard or tackle, which makes him an even greater prospect.

John Harbaugh knows how to win in the NFL. He knows that defense and a running game travel well, and judging by his first two picks in his first draft with the Giants, he is ready to make a run in the NFC.