New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen, head coach John Harbaugh, and their staff were stunned when Arvell Reese remained on the board at No. 5 overall in the 2026 NFL draft.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports that Reese slipping to fifth overall “was not a consideration” among league general managers heading into the draft.
“Arvell Reese going to No. 5 was not a consideration,” Rapoport said.
Reese, who was ranked No. 1 on the Giants’ board among non-quarterbacks alongside running back Jeremiyah Love—who was selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals—represented an unexpected windfall.
Schoen acknowledged the team had hoped for such a scenario but had prepared few contingencies for it.
“No. No. We hoped,” he said. “But there weren’t a lot of scenarios that we went through where he may be available.”
Had Reese been off the board, the Giants planned to select Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa at No. 5. Instead, they landed Reese at five and still acquired Mauigoa later at No. 10.
As Rapoport noted from the NFL Network Insiders, the Giants walked away with two players, both considered worthy of a top-five selection, turning a potential reach into exceptional value for the franchise.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants ‘never imagined’ Arvell Reese would fall to them at No. 5
Reporting by Dan Benton, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
