Free agency almost always sets up how a team will approach the NFL Draft. So, with the heavy lifting of NFL free agency over with, how has that set up the New York Giants for the 2026 NFL Draft?
Before we get to this week’s mock draft tracker, let’s discuss that. Below are my thoughts on that.
I think offensive tackle is off the board in Round 1
In my view, the signing of Jermaine Eluemunor combined with the presence of second-year player Marcus Mbow means offensive tackle should not be a consideration
for the Giants in Round 1. Perhaps on Day 3 if there is a developmental player the organization feels it can’t pass on, but the first-round pick can be used in a more impactful, necessary way.
I think all the ‘blue chip’ players should still be in play
Head coach John Harbaugh has said the No. 5 pick is not about need, it is about talent. He wants a potential Hall of Fame player with that pick if he can get one. Draft analysts refer to those types of prospects as “blue chip” players.
In my view, you can’t take any of the “blue chip” players who could be available at No. 5 — linebacker Sonny Styles, safety Caleb Downs, and, yes, running back Jeremiyah Love — out of the conversation for the Giants in that spot.
I think there are two dark-horse scenarios
Look at what the Giants have, and have not accomplished in free agency. They lost cornerback Cor’Dale Flott and replaced him with Greg Newsome, a former first-round pick whose play has fallen off the last couple of seasons.
The Giants have also not addressed in a substantive way an obvious need for help at guard, both in 2026 and beyond. Re-signing Evan Neal and Aaron Stinnie gives them bodies to work with, but not a starter they can feel good about. It should also not be forgotten that starting left guard Jon Ruynan Jr. is in the final year of his contract. So, there are short- and long-term needs to consider.
Which makes me wonder about the potential for a trade down from No. 5.
The No. 1 cornerback in the draft is Mansoor Delane of LSU, but even considering positional value taking him at No. 5 might be a stretch. Trade down a handful of spots and Delane becomes a more palatable target.
The best offensive lineman in the draft is thought to be Vega Ioane. He is a guard, though, and not once have I seen any draft analyst broach the idea of Ioane being the pick at No. 5. If the Giants were to trade down to somewhere between 10 and 15 in Round 1, Ioane might be a realistic play.
Other ‘things I think’ as of now
The Giants still have needs at defensive tackle, wide receiver, and perhaps safety. Those are among the areas I would like to see the Giants add to in the draft.
Now, let’s get to this week’s mock draft tracker.
Sonny Styles is runaway top choice at No. 5
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, still riding the wave of a tremendous NFL Scouting Combine on and off the field, is now lapping the field as the player most often mocked to the Giants.
Of 35 mock drafts used this week, Styles was the choice in 20 of them (57.1%). Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was the only other player who drew significant support. Downs was the choice in seven mock draft (20.0%).
