Giants Select Mauigoa 10th Overall in 2026 NFL Draft After Trading for Pick

The team acquired the No. 10 pick from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II.

This move came after the Giants finished the 2025 season with a 4-13 record, which earned them the No. 5 overall pick. Earlier in the draft, the Giants chose former Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese fifth overall.

John Harbaugh, in his first year as head coach of the Giants in 2026, had two first-round picks to work with. Harbaugh previously coached the Baltimore Ravens for 18 years. The selection of Mauigoa addresses protection needs for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who endured a physically demanding 2025 season.

Dart suffered a concussion in November 2025 and was evaluated for a concussion five times in a 10-game span, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. He took a particularly hard hit against the New England Patriots on December 1, 2025. Dart addressed concerns about his safety after that game.

"I understand the question, but this is football," Dart said. "I'm going to get hit if I'm in the pocket or outside the pocket. I feel like I played this way my whole entire life. It shouldn't be any shocker to anybody if you followed along with my career.

We're not playing soccer out here. You're going to get hit. " Mauigoa expressed fierce loyalty to the team during the draft. "I'll die by this [expletive], man," Mauigoa told ESPN's Laura Rutledge while on stage at the draft.

Dart and his girlfriend, Marissa Ayers, discussed Mauigoa's declaration on the red carpet at the 152nd Kentucky Derby on April 30, 2026. "I'm pumped," Dart told Sports Illustrated. "He fired me up.

But that's exactly what you want.