New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers gave candid remarks about the team’s first‑round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft during a live Bleacher Report watch‑party broadcast. The Giants have selected Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese at No. 5 and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10.
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Reaction to the Arvell Reese pick
Nabers said he respected Reese as a player but did not fully understand where he fit on the Giants’ defense. According to USA Today, Nabers told the Bleacher Report audience: “I appreciate the player, don’t misunderstand me, I appreciate the player. But just like, where does he fit?” He went on to say, “You want to rush from the outside, yet we just drafted somebody last year for that same role,” expressing confusion about how the team planned to use its edge‑rush group.
Nabers conveyed that he had hoped that the Giants would take up Caleb Downs with one of their own picks. Nabers believed taking Downs would have helped the team. On the live television, he later watched the Dallas Cowboys select him at No. 11. Speaking on the Bleacher Report stream, Nabers claimed that he would now have to face such a talented defender twice a year as an opponent.
{{/usCountry}}Nabers conveyed that he had hoped that the Giants would take up Caleb Downs with one of their own picks. Nabers believed taking Downs would have helped the team. On the live television, he later watched the Dallas Cowboys select him at No. 11. Speaking on the Bleacher Report stream, Nabers claimed that he would now have to face such a talented defender twice a year as an opponent.
{{/usCountry}}Also Read: Patrick Mahomes gives thumbs up as Chiefs draft LSU star Mansoor Delane at No. 6
On‑screen thoughts on Mauigoa
When the Giants picked Mauigoa, Nabers said on the air that he liked the idea of help on the offensive line. However, he still had doubts about the choice. He said, “I want to see him come in and be great,” according to USA Today’s summary of his watch‑party comments. He emphasized that he wanted players who could directly make things easier for himself and quarterback Daniel Jones, and he appeared unsure whether Mauigoa or Reese matched that priority.