It’s once again draft season before Thanksgiving for the New York Giants.
The playoffs are out of reach at 2-9 while the Giants hold the second overall pick. This is the time of year when mock drafts start to crop up, but they’re much more useful for analyzing teams as well as which players are likely to be at the top of the draft.
The good news for the Giants is that they certainly seem to have found their franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart. Dart is currently 12th in the NFL in Composite Grade and
eighth in the NFL in Adjusted EPA Per Play. He’s exceeded pretty much everyone’s wildest expectations and has been playing much better than you’d expect from a rookie with just nine games under his belt.
This also appears to be a top-heavy quarterback draft, and there will likely be more quarterback-needy teams than starting-caliber quarterbacks.
That could make conditions ripe for the Giants to execute a trade down to acquire additional picks as well as allow the Giants to add a talented player at a better value.
Matt Miller of ESPN released his first 2026 mock draft, and he mocks a trade for the Giants then opts for an offensive lineman.
2. New York Giants: TRADE!
Like the Titans, the Giants drafted their quarterback of the future in 2025 in Jaxson Dart, making them a prime candidate to move down. With the Browns in quarterback flux and sporting multiple first-round picks in the 2026 draft, Cleveland would send the No. 3 pick to the Giants to move up one spot. New York would also receive third-round picks in 2026 and 2027 to move down to No. 3.
3. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Not needing a quarterback, the Giants can do the smart thing and trade down to acquire more draft capital. They have needs across the offensive line, and while the 2026 draft class doesn’t align with their wish list perfectly, Mauigoa would be a plug-and-play starter at right tackle opposite Andrew Thomas. Some scouts see Mauigoa as a guard at the next level because of his stocky 6-foot-6, 315-pound frame, but his ability to create space in the run game with power and people-moving skills would boost what the Giants could become with Dart and RB Cam Skattebo. Mauigoa has allowed just one sack all season … which is the same number of touchdowns he has scored.
Raptor’s thoughts
I disagree with the assessment that the Giants need help across their offensive line. Andrew Thomas is a Pro Bowl caliber left tackle, Jon Runyan Jr. is perfectly adequate and under contract for the 2026 season. John Michael Schmitz is developing nicely at center and has continued to improve over the course of the year. Jermaine Eluemunor is a free agent, but is playing at a high level at 30 (he’ll be 31 in December) and could be re-signed after the year. The Giants also have Marcus Mbow, who has been impressive in limited action, waiting in the wings.
The big question on the Giants’ offensive line is right guard. Greg Van Roten has been a steady presence for the Giants — not great, but steady. He’s also a 35-year-old free agent. The Giants can, and should, upgrade the position with a younger player who can be an answer for a long time.
In short, the Giants’ offensive line isn’t a problem now and while it could be improved, it isn’t the “hair on fire” need it’s made out to be. The Giants’ pass protection is solid and their run blocking is improving.
Potentially reaching for a career right tackle to move him inside to guard with the 3rd overall pick isn’t the away to address that (potential) need.
That said, I don’t necessarily disagree with drafting an offensive tackle at the top of the draft.
Offensive tackle is among the Giants’ list of potential needs, but that’s contingent on the decisions regarding Eluemunor and Mbow. If the Giants decide to move on from Eluemunor and either believe that Mbow’s future is at guard or that his ceiling is as a backup, then OT becomes the correct choice, particularly if the team can engineer a trade down. Whether the Giants choose Mauigoa or Spencer Fano could come down to the philosophy of the Giants’ next head coach.
