The Giants didn’t spend the No. 10 pick on Francis Mauigoa to let him ease into things. They wanted a lineman who could step into a grown-man job, and his first padded practice Sunday gave the team exactly the kind of early signs it was hoping for.
The rookie right guard has already started with the first group, and the early feedback out of camp has centered on the kind of traits that travel. Veteran right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor described Mauigoa as energetic and said the 21-year-old holds people accountable.
Defensive tackle D.J. Reader highlighted his heavy hands and the way he can move blockers.
Those comments came on the first day the pads went on, which only sharpened the impression.
Mauigoa is the only new starter on an offensive line that brings back the other four spots, and that setup should make the transition cleaner. He does not have to overhaul the group. He has to fit in, keep pace with an established unit and add some force to the right side.
His college resume at Miami backed up why the Giants saw him as the right answer. Mauigoa was an All-American who showed he could anchor in pass protection and create movement in the run game. That combination matters for a team looking to be tougher on early downs and harder to defend.
Of course, August praise only goes so far. A rookie guard doesn’t get crowned after one padded practice. The real tests come when defenses start throwing twists at him, the crowd gets louder and the game plan gets less forgiving.
Even so, the Giants aren’t speaking about Mauigoa like a player who needs to be sheltered. He’s already with the first unit and drawing notice for how physical he is. For a top-10 pick, that’s a strong place to start.
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