The New York Giants selected Francis Mauigoa with the 10th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. John Harbaugh has mentioned how the offensive line is a work in progress since arriving with the New York Giants, and Mauigoa fits the vision of what many believe the Giants are attempting to achieve — physical and multiple up front!
John Michael Schmitz and Jon Runyan Jr. are both free agents at the end of the season, as are Evan Neal, Aaron Stinnie, Josh Ezeudu, and Daniel Faalele. Needless to say, the former
the former five-star recruit out of IMG Academy was a necessary addition not just for the Giants in 2026, but for the future as well.
Francis Mauigoa is from Ili’Ili, American Samoa. He was the second-ranked recruit in his state during high school when he transferred to IMG in Bradenton, Florida, and the second offensive tackle during the 2023 recruiting cycle. ESPN ranked Mauioga as the fifth player nationally, and he was included in Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List in 2023.
Mauioga started three years at right tackle for the Hurricanes (2,801 snaps), and allowed just 15 pressures and two sacks in 2025. In total, he allowed 57 pressures and eight sacks through his college career, while committing 21 penalties. Mauigoa was a Consensus All-American in 2025 and a Second-team All-ACC selection in 2024. Here are his strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths
- Excellent size with elite weight/girth
- Broad chest/shoulders – very dense
- Massive mittens attached to his arms (85th percentile hands)
- Very good athlete – asset with his explosiveness and closing burst
- Very fluid with solid change of direction skills
- Insanely strong grip strength
- Elite ability to gain chest and match up arc
- Light on his feet to mirror/match
- Aggressive & quick jump/45-set in pass protection
- Varies pass sets and approach – can attack/be patience
- Authoritative outside arm punch in PP
- Looks for work and eliminates in PP
- Excellent anchor
- Tight upper body run blocking mechanics – fit inside, will take you for a ride
- Excellent footwork on the LOS in run game
- Elite foot churn into contact
- High football IQ in zone blocking
- Successful and effective at the backside scoop of the 3T
- Swivels hips to hinge and create seal
- Excellent balance when engaged in zone on the move
- Good puller into space for Power/Gap
- Smart/firm contact on first level to climb when over bubble
- Very good force into contact (OG/TE)
- Excellent in space at the second level
- Excellent finishing ability in space
- Devastating power – elite down blocker to play-side of power gap
- Elite torque and core strength unlocked when engaged
- Elite play strength
Weaknesses
- Short arms (19th percentile for guard)
- Lack of length hinders first contact
- Has overset vs. wide rushers – left inside open to counter moves
- Was beat by a few power moves that were well timed when he was extending w/ his punch
- Only played RT in college
Mauigoa is an excellent right tackle with a dense – powerful – frame and light feet, with very good explosiveness and surprising fluidity. Mauigoa is crisp with his pass sets and varies his approach, with a devastatingly effective outside hand punch that gains control of the opponent’s chest – once that happens, best of luck! Mauigoa’s toughness and overall play strength are elite, and most tackles don’t possess his size + feather feet combination.
Mauigoa is a high IQ blocker up front, constantly adjusting to pre/post snap defensive movement, while equipped to adjust to moving targets in space – his athletic ability is surprising when on the move. He can pull, does well in COMBO situations, can back-side scoop, or eliminate the front-side with down blocks; while also climbing well and erasing the pursuing linebackers. If Mauigoa had 35-inch arms, he would be discussed more consistently in the top-five, rather than one who MAY be selected there.
The re-signing of Jermaine Eluemunor means Mauigo will begin his career at right guard. This is a smart, tough, and dependable selection — one that improves the trenches. Please enjoy the video below:
