New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers wanted to play with Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs. Instead, he’ll be facing him twice a year.
The Giants passed on Downs (6-foot, 206 pounds) with the 10th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Miami Hurricanes offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa (6-foot-5, 329 pounds). That was a surprise, as many mocks had New York taking him.
The Dallas Cowboys subsequently traded pick No. 12 and two fifth-rounders (No. 177 and No. 180) to the Miami Dolphins to move up to pick No. 11 and grab Downs. Nabers wishes they hadn’t.
Malik Nabers was upset Cowboys took Caleb Downs instead of Giants
Nabers was livestreaming with Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons during the draft on Thursday night. He hopped off the couch and sighed after the Cowboys turned in their card.
“I’d rather get him than play against him,” Nabers said. “I gotta play against this thing again. Bro, he’s good. He’s very good. We all got him No. 1.”