It is time for my second weekly New York Giants multi-round mock draft. With the Giants not having a third-round pick, this year’s mock is extending into Round 4.
Remember that at this early stage, more than two months before the 2026 NFL Draft, I am not necessarily trying to be right. I am trying to present scenarios — ways the draft could turn out for the Giants.
As such, this week’s mock draft will include three different players than the ones I chose last week.
Here goes.
Round 1 (No. 5) — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
I went chalk here. I had
to do it sooner or later, and chose to go that way this time. In our most recent mock draft tracker, Tate was the choice in 16 of 46 mock drafts (34.8%).
The Giants need to do everything they can to make sure second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart has the play-making weapons he needs. They have Malik Nabers, but with explosive plays being so important in the NFL now teams need a 1b type receiver. Tate could be that for the Giants if he reaches the potential draft analysts believe he has.
NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein compares Tate to Chris Olvae, who has three 1,000-yard seasons with the New Orleans Saints in his four-year career. Zierlein writes:
Ascending “Z” receiver who continues to step out from the shadow of Ohio State teammate Jeremiah Smith. Tate has good size but would benefit from more play strength. He builds momentum quickly on intermediate and deep routes, utilizing speed and tempo to pressure cornerbacks. He can win over the top on verticals or separate over the first two levels with route savvy and separation burst. Tate tracks throws at top speed and makes his adjustments to run under them. He combines timing, body control and catch radius to dominate air space and consistently lands on the winning side of contested catches. Pass catching comes effortlessly with soft, strong hands and he consistently works back on throws to keep ballhawks from hawking. Tate displays rare polish for a player his age and has the talent to become a heralded pro within his first three seasons.
Others considered: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Round 2 (No. 37) — Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Just because I did not select Caleb Downs at No. 5 does not mean a versatile, play-making safety does not have appeal to me for Dennard Wilson’s defense. It absolutely does. NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said this week that both McNeil-Warren and Dillon Thieneman of Oregon are such players. He has both in his top 25 prospects. From our conversations, I know that Big Blue View’s Chris Pflum is also bullish on both McNeil-Warren and Thieneman.
Here, I take McNeil-Warren, the 6-foot-1⅝, 202-pound small-school safety out of Toledo. It is really a coin flip between McNeil-Warren and Thieneman and might change if Thieneman lights up the NFL Scouting Combine the way some expect him to.
Sports Info Solutions has Thieneman as its 22nd-ranked prospect and McNeil-Warren 23rd, with identical draft grades. Here is what SIS said about McNeil-Warren:
He has longer arms and a lean build with room to add strength to go with good range and burst conducive to making plays at all 3 levels of the field. His motor is solid and fighting through injury to finish out this past season is a testament to his toughness.
McNeil-Warren projects as a starting safety with the versatility to play on the back end or act as a box safety who operates across the intermediate areas of the field. His playmaking ability is high-caliber and will give him a pathway to see the field early in his career. On 3rd downs, he should be on the field either manned up on a tight end or using his zone coverage ability to get his team the ball back.
Look at the list of “others considered” below. I did not include wide receivers because I took Tate at No. 5, but the list clearly shows you that the Giants will have a lot of good choices in Round 2.
Others considered: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida; Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon; Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee, Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina; Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State; Gennings Dunker, G, Iowa; Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M; Anthony Hill, LB, Texas; Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Round 4 (No. 105) — Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
Not knowing how free agency will turn out, addressing the interior of one of the lines feels like something that should be done sooner rather than later.
Rutledge is 6-3⅜, 316 pounds. Sports Info Solutions says:
He has a broad frame with long arms. He is a natural athlete with a basketball and track (shot-put) background, who has good agility and explosiveness when pulling or climbing to the 2nd level on run plays. Rutledge is a tough, physical interior lineman who plays with a gritty disposition. He stays disciplined most of the time, but will finish through the echo of the whistle on occasion.
Rutledge projects as a low-end starting right guard at the next level. He is a powerful and agile run blocker, who can succeed in a zone or power heavy scheme. As a pass blocker, he flashes the potential due to athleticism and toughness, but he needs technique improvement.
Others considered: Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska; Max Klate, TE, Ohio State; Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas; Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
Last week’s mock
Round 1 (No. 5) — Caleb Downs, safety, Ohio State
Round 2 (No. 37) — Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
Round 4 (No. 105) — Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
