Reese’s selection was one of the night’s biggest shocks. He was widely penciled in as a candidate for the No. 2 pick to the Jets, who instead chose David Bailey. Reese slid to New York, where evaluators see him as a versatile linebacker-by-way-of-edge mold who could develop into a full-time pass rusher; in the short term, he’ll contribute as a linebacker alongside Tremaine Edmunds.
Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers offered a candid, live reaction to the Reese pick on Bleacher Report, expressing confusion over where Reese would fit and noting the team had drafted for the same position last year. Nabers also said he would have preferred the Giants to target Caleb Downs, arguing that Downs would bring immediate defensive impact after the Dexter Lawrence trade.
Nabers’ point about adding instant star power on defense highlighted the broader tension surrounding New York’s draft approach, especially with a potential logjam at edge depth. The discussion reflects a belief among some fans and players that downsides of not addressing certain defensive positions could be felt sooner rather than later.
The Giants passed on Downs at No. 10 and instead took Mauigoa, an offensive lineman, before Downs went to the Cowboys at No. 12. Nabers’ reaction to Downs going to Dallas underscored how close the Giants came to adding the coveted safety and the ongoing debate about the best path to a stronger defensive unit.
Looking ahead, Reese brings long-term edge potential while Mauigoa adds interior line depth, and the Giants will rely on their coaching staff to maximize these selections. The night also underscored the excitement and fan debate that accompanies first-round picks, particularly when a surprise slotting changes the expected draft narrative.
