The Giants believe in QB Jaxson Dart. Now they need to make sure they protect him.

While the Giants front office engaged in preliminary talks to move back, the other team didn't want to part with as many picks as the Giants would've required. So the team stuck at No. 5 and went with, perhaps controversial to some, a safety. But there's no regret with this choice in New York. Downs is No. 4 in Brugler's top 100 rankings and he's "one of the better safeties I have ever evaluated," Brugler said. Downs' skills are hard to pass up, especially for a Giants secondary that's been lacking.

I have Fano as my top tackle, but the gap between him and Miami's Francis Mauigoa isn't significant. Some will argue he's better suited to play guard, and I get why scouts feel that way, but I see an above-average starting tackle in the NFL.

The Giants could have gone a few directions with their two top-10 picks, the second of which was added days before the draft in a Dexter Lawrence II trade with the Bengals. I thought that was a really good trade for general manager Joe Schoen, and it set John Harbaugh's Giants up to do some work early in Round 1. The best case in my eyes would have been Jeremiyah Love at No. 5 and Jordyn Tyson at No. 10. Unfortunately, neither player was still on the board at the respective picks.

Plan B was landing Reese with the first selection. This is my No. 3 overall prospect and top guy on the defensive side of the ball. I get the confusion considering the Giants just used the third pick on Abdul Carter a year ago and also have Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Edge rusher isn't a need. But as a team that is 7-27 over the past two years and has a defense that allowed a league-worst 5.3 yards per rush in 2025, the Giants needed good football players. Reese is a really good one.

He can hopefully develop into an extraordinary edge rusher with his first step acceleration, 4.46 speed and solid 6-foot-4, 241-pound size. But let's not forget he's an incredible off-ball linebacker, too, and New York needs someone to captain the defense. I love his instincts and nose for the ball. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will have options. I have no problem with taking an elite player and figuring out the perfect way to use him later.

Mauigoa at No. 10 also makes sense, as protecting Jaxson Dart and opening some rushing lanes for Cam Skattebo off a leg injury will be key. Mauigoa will likely move inside to guard for now, with the ability to slide back out to tackle in the future (New York has Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle). Mauigoa has Pro Bowl upside at guard as a mauling, tenacious blocker who allowed just two sacks over his past 1,800-plus snaps.

The one issue I have with this pick is Caleb Downs was still available. Harbaugh had Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore, and he could have had Downs in New York. If we're talking about "best player available," there's a strong case for my No. 6 prospect at No. 10. But overall, this was a great first round for the Giants.

New York hit more needs on Day 2. It would have surprised no one if Colton Hood was a first-round pick. He's a long, athletic corner. His Senior Bowl week could have been better, but he's physical at 193 pounds. He didn't pile up interceptions (three over 29 games), but he doesn't allow completions, either. And Malachi Fields fits as a potential WR2 behind Malik Nabers. He's a walking highlight reel on downfield catches. Fields shields defenders from the ball with his length and physicality, and he has terrific hands, with just two drops over the past two seasons.

Whether or not OLB Arvell Reese fell to fifth overall, he could eventually develop into this draft's best overall player and one who justifies the widespread comparisons to Micah Parsons. Perhaps. Maybe. Acquiring the 10th pick from Cincinnati for Pro Bowl DL Dexter Lawrence (and his salary) last weekend, ultimately in exchange for OL Francis Mauigoa — arguably the draft's best tackle — seems like another win for Big Blue. Getting CB Colton Hood (Round 2) and WR Malachi Fields (Round 3) on Day 2 project as relative value picks. New coach John Harbaugh could have this squad fighting for a playoff return in short order.