Francis Mauigoa | Getty ImagesThe New York Giants did not enter Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night expecting to come away with linebacker Arvell Reese and offensive linemen Francis Mauigoa. Even after GM Joe Schoen ran a zillion scenarios, according to head coach John Harbaugh.Reality is stranger than fiction, Harbaugh said.So, why did the Giants pick those two players. They certainly had other choices. Just ask Malik Nabers. Lets let Schoen and Harbaugh tell us why.Arvell Reese (No. 5)The Giants could have taken safety Caleb Downs here, and no one would have been shocked. They could have taken wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. They could have taken Sonny Styles. They could have taken Mauigoa. They could have traded down.Why Reese?Arvell is a versatile player, and were going to play him at inside backer, WILL linebacker. Our defense is pretty flexible, position-less you might call it. Well have an opportunity to move those guys around, Harbaugh said. But hell line up next to Tremaine (Edmunds), and hell be in the A gap, the B gap, the C gap, the D gap, off the edge. Hell be moving around with all of our guys. Abdul (Carter) and Brian (Burns) and Kayvon (Thibodeaux) and Tremaine. Well be running games and picks and stunts and different things like that on passing situations, and hes good in coverage as well, hes a versatile player. Hes a young player. Hes gotten better every single year, playing off the ball and on the ball, so he does both. Probably why he was our highest rated non- quarterback player in the draft. Hes an exciting player.Hes just a puppy.Reese does not turn 21 until August. Schoen said his pass rush upside is tremendous.Hes just scratching the surface. You see the size, the length, the traits. And again, like Coach was talking about, just the versatility that the player has and how we can use him with some of the pieces that we already have, Schoen said. Were not going to necessarily have to ask him to win off the edge, weve got guys that can do that. So we have a phenomenal defensive staff and theyre going to find creative ways to use him.Harbaugh added that its all upside for Reese.More draft coverageThings I think after a surprising Round 1 of the NFL Draft for the NY GiantsGiants draft grades 2026: Arvell Reese, Francis Mauigoa picks get rave reviewsNY Giants Draft, Day 2: 3 trade scenarios for the Giants at No. 37 overallBest available players for the New York Giants on Day 2 of the NFL DraftNY Giants not planning to trade Kayvon Thibodeaux after Arvell Reese selectionInstant analysis: Giants add a people-mover in Francis MauigoaInstant analysis: Yes, the Giants just drafted another edge defenderFrancis Mauigoa (No. 10) The Giants again had the option of selecting Downs, or trading down. They chose to add to an offensive line that, while good enough in 2025, has been a problem more often than not for most of the last 15 years.Why Mauigoa?We stuck with the board, said Schoen. And Sisis another 20-year-old, believe it or not, hell be 21 in June, so we got two young players that were fired up about. But a powerful young man with tremendous athleticism and size. And I dont know if you guys saws saw his interview there on TV, they asked him what he should tell Jaxson. And that was, thats the type of kid he is. So again, to get those two young men that have size and athleticism and the makeup that we desire, and the fact that we know that were going to have those guys under contract for five years, to add to some of the young foundational pieces that we already have, I mean its really exciting, really exciting.He will play guard.The Giants wont ask veteran right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor to move inside. Mauigoa will start his career in between Eluemunor and center John Michael Schmitz.Were going to put him inside at guard. He can certainly play tackle, Harbaugh said. Sometimes we call these schools and get the film, and they have two really good rushers down there in Miami in (Ahkeem) Mesidor and (Rueben) Bain, and to watch the practice film hes going against NFL dudes on a daily basis, and doing a really good job, it was pretty impressive. He can certainly always bump back out to tackle at any point. Were going to start him at guard.What about Mauigoas back?Mauigoa had a recheck on his back shortly before the draft, and some analysts expressed long-term concern. Schoen said Hes fine. Hes good right now.The Giants are not that concerned because they now have Adam Bennett, the trainer at Miami while Mauigoa played there, on their staff. So, they have the most personal information on Mauigoa possible.Were comfortable with it, Schoen said. Were fortunate that the (Adam Bennett) former trainer from the University of Miami is now one of our trainers. So we have somebody thats been with him for his entire time at Miami, and lived with him through the process. It was an injury that occurred in the Texas A&M game, and we were certainly comfortable with it.Check out ourNew York Giants Draft Hub Pagefor all the Giants draft news, rumors, analysis, mock drafts, prospect profiles, and much more!