The New York Giants made offensive tackle Francis ‘Sisi’ Mauigoa the 10th player selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday, April 23, despite not taking a closer look at a potential “red flag”
Mauigoa joins fifth-overall pick, edge-rusher Arvell Reese, already viewed as one of the steals of the first-round, to complete a remarkable early night’s work for the Giants.
The Giants used the pick they acquired from trading All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals to address the other side of the trenches. That part of the line of scrimmage Big Blue must control to better protect budding star quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Mauigoa possesses both the versatility and physicality for this role. Provided any lingering injury issues check out.
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Giants Confident Francis Mauigoa is No Risk
Writing on Wednesday, April 22, Dan Duggan of The Athletic revealed “It’s notable that the Giants aren’t believed to have hosted Mauigoa for a pre-draft visit, which would have been an important step considering he has a herniated disc in his back that could be a red flag.”
Fortunately, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on draft night, “The #Giants worked closely with the Hurricanes’ athletic training and medical staffs leading up to the Draft. They were supremely confident in the info they got on Francis Mauigoa’s back.”
That’s a positive update, but using a top-10 pick to take a player possibly carrying an underlying weakness is always a risk for a rebuilding team. Yet, new head coach John Harbaugh can justify Mauigoa as a risk worth taking, at least once he finds the right role for the 20-year-old.
10th Pick Needs the Right Role
As a 6-foot-5, 329-pounder who can move the pile, Mauigoa qualifies for the physical brand of football Harbaugh coached for 18 years with the Baltimore Ravens. What’s less clear is where Mauigoa will play on the Giants‘ improved O-line.
He’s unlikely to step in for returning Dart favorite, veteran right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, arguably the most reliable player the Giants have up front. Perhaps Mauigoa converts to guard, but Harbaugh added former Raven Daniel Faalele, as well as Lucas Patrick in free agency.
Mauigoa will push to start ahead of both, since as former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Giants rival Robert Griffin III put it, “His hands arrive with BAD INTENTIONS and he reaches the 2nd level with burst to finish run blocks with pure NASTINESS. Jaxon Dart just got a new body guard and he is willing to die to protect him.”
Protecting Dart was the safe, smart pick. Especially after the chance to get him a new weapon had passed once wide receivers Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson had gone off the board to the Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints, respectively.
Beefing up the O-line won’t make the same headlines as adding a dynamic wideout next to Malik Nabers would have, but Mauigoa represents a natural building block for the tougher team Harbaugh is building around Dart.
Giants Draft Francis Mauigoa 10th Despite Potential ‘Red Flag’