Most felt the New York Giants knocked the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of the park, as they nabbed linebacker Arvell Reese and offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa with their two top-10 picks.
However, not everyone is under the same impression.
Legendary Giants kicker Raul Allegre, who won a pair of Super Bowls with New York under Bill Parcells, isn't so sure Big Blue made the right decision on either player.
"The question here is whether the team is in a better position now," Allegre told Bolavip . "Obviously, the fifth pick was already theirs, and they ended up going for Arvell Reese. Personally, the player I liked the most was Caleb Downs, and I debated whether or not to take him twice. He ended up going to Dallas, which is not positive at all for Giants fans."
Allegre also raised serious concerns about Mauigoa's back issues.
"Unfortunately, he [Mauigoa] arrives at the draft with a back issue that is said to need surgery; I don't know which type or if he can recover without it," Allegre added. "But the fact that he has been diagnosed with back problems at the age of 20—I mean, 20. I developed back problems at 33. To me, it seems like a tremendous risk."
Well, Mauigoa does not need surgery just yet. He has a minor herniated disc in his back and he is currently pain free. The issue did not give him any issues in training camp, so it seems like the University of Miami product will be just fine.
And while I do understand Allegre's questions about the Giants taking Reese at No. 5, Downs is not the player New York should have taken at that spot.
You simply do not take a safety with a top-five pick unless you are absolutely positive he is going to be a Hall-of-Famer, and even then, it's debatable.
The Reese pick was somewhat controversial due to positional fit. Many felt he profiled as an edge rusher heading into the NFL, and with the Giants already having Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux, Reese didn't seem to make a ton of sense.
However, Reese played off-ball linebacker at Ohio State, and he will be playing inside alongside of Tremaine Edmunds for New York during his rookie campaign.
The early returns on Reese have been good, and it certainly looks like the 6-foot-4, 243-pound physical freak will seriously aid the Giants' run defense.
Allegre is certainly entitled to his opinion, but I feel it's off base.
