New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers was not necessarily a fan of one of his team’s first-round picks.
The Giants nabbed linebacker Arvell Reese of Ohio State when he fell to them at No. 5 overall. Reese was clearly the best player available when the Giants were on the clock, and the team decided not to pass on him.
Nabers was a guest on Micah Parsons’ NFL Draft livestream and questioned the pick in real time. He questioned the Giants picking another pass rusher and suggested the team made a mistake by passing on safety Caleb Downs.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love the player, but where do you play? You wanna be on the outside and rush but we just drafted somebody last year to do that same position,” Nabers said. “The reason why I said Caleb Downs is you have to get them when they’re available. And, because we just traded (Dexter Lawrence), we need interior D-line.”
Malik Nabers after the Giants drafted Arvell Reese, via @BleacherReport:
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) April 24, 2026
"Don't get me wrong I love the player but like, where do you play? You wanna be on the outside and rush but we just drafted somebody last year to do that same position." pic.twitter.com/W9Fn085fZn
Nabers was even more unhappy when the Giants passed on Downs a second time at No. 10, picking offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa instead. The Dallas Cowboys then nabbed Downs at No. 1..
Malik Nabers' reaction to the Cowboys trading up and drafting Caleb Downs 👀 pic.twitter.com/dgyuC2ocJ5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 24, 2026
Giants coach John Harbaugh was asked if he had a problem with Nabers’ public comments, but Harbaugh insisted he did not, encouraging players to “say what you think.”
John Harbaugh, asked about Malik Nabers' draft critiques, says his Giants "don’t get too worried about stuff as long as the person’s heart is in the right place.
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) April 25, 2026
"Say what you think."
He spoke to Nabers and explained how they intend to use Reese. Said "he’s a player that fits…
Nabers is correct that the Giants keep loading up on pass rushers. They drafted Kayvon Thibodeaux in 2024 and Abdul Carter in 2025, both in the top five. The Giants insist they are keeping all of them, too. One can understand why Nabers was looking for something else.
Nabers has never been shy about publicly criticizing the Giants. At this point, the team appears to be used to it and is just shrugging it off.
