The 2026 NFL Draft may already be in the rearview mirror, but the excitement surrounding the New York Giants' picks is just revving up. With a week to digest every selection across all 32 teams, one thing is clear: Giants fans are giving their front office a standing ovation.

While it will take a few seasons to truly evaluate this draft class, the early returns are overwhelmingly positive. National media pundits have already pegged the Giants' haul as one of the league's strongest. Now, the fans are echoing that sentiment, showering praise on general manager Joe Schoen and head coach John Harbaugh for their first collaborative draft effort.

So, what has everyone so excited? It starts with the Giants feeling "incredibly lucky" to land two of their top-five board players in the first round: linebacker Arvell Reese and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. That double-dip set the tone, but the team didn't stop there. They followed up by snagging cornerback Colton Hood—a player many considered a fringe first-round talent—and added wide receiver Malachi Fields, a consensus top-50 prospect, just as a run on receivers was heating up.

When the fan survey results came in, the Giants ranked third overall in "A" grades, trailing only the Cleveland Browns (70% A grades) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (68% A grades). This marks the third consecutive year—following strong showings in 2024 and 2025—that the Giants have earned high marks from their faithful. It's becoming a welcome tradition in East Rutherford.

For all the criticism Schoen has faced over the past year, his ability to find value in the middle rounds remains a standout skill. Recent gems like Micah McFadden, Tyrone Tracy, Theo Johnson, and Cam Skattebo prove that the Giants have cracked the code on unearthing starters and key role players after Day 1. In a league where that's one of the hardest things to do, New York has made it look routine.

The front office also deserves credit for reading the draft room like a chessboard. They've developed a keen sense for when positional runs will start and have consistently jumped ahead of the curve. The move to trade back into the third round to grab Fields just as wide receivers were flying off the board is a textbook example of that savvy.

Of course, paper grades only mean so much. The real work now falls on John Harbaugh's coaching staff to develop these young players and put them in winning positions. But for a franchise that's been searching for consistency, starting with a well-regarded class and a clear plan is a victory in itself. For Giants fans, that's a reason to keep the gear close and the hope alive.