Wait, didn't we just do this? It feels like Big Blue fans have been living in a permanent state of "draft season" since, well, the Obama administration. But here we are again. The 2025 regular season is officially in the books, and after a couple of late-season wins against the Raiders and Cowboys (honestly, who saw those coming?), the New York Giants have locked themselves into the No. 5 overall pick for the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s a weird spot to be in. On one hand, you’re not picking first, so you missed out on the "generational" savior. On the other hand, you’re high enough to land a blue-chip player who doesn't come with the "bust" baggage of a top-two reach. If you've been following the draft picks ny giants saga over the last few years, you know the Joe Schoen era has been a rollercoaster of high-ceiling swings and "what were they thinking?" misses.
The Current State of Big Blue’s Draft Capital
Before we get into the sexy mock draft names, let's look at the actual cupboard. It's not exactly overflowing. Joe Schoen got aggressive last year—like, really aggressive.
To land Jaxson Dart at pick 25 in 2025, the Giants set some of their future on fire. They traded away their 2025 second and third-rounders, plus a 2026 third-round pick. Basically, the Giants are going into this April with a massive hole on Day 2.
Here is what the 2026 haul looks like as of today:
- Round 1, Pick 5 (The Big One)
- Round 2 (Their own)
- Round 4 (Their own)
- Round 5 (Their own)
- Round 6 (Multiple picks via trades, including the Brian Burns and Darren Waller leftovers)
- Round 7 (Depth filler)
Losing that third-rounder hurts. A lot. The third round is usually where you find your starting guards or a rotational cornerback who actually knows how to tackle. Without it, the pressure on that No. 5 pick to be an immediate, All-Pro level contributor is through the roof.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Giants Needs
Everyone screams "Offensive Line!" every year. It’s like a reflex for Giants fans at this point. And yeah, Marcus Mbow and John Michael Schmitz haven't exactly turned into the 90s Cowboys front yet. But the 2025 season actually showed some life in the run game.
Cam Skattebo, the fourth-round steal from Arizona State, was a revelation before his ankle gave out in Week 8. He and Tyrone Tracy Jr. actually helped the Giants finish 5th in the league in rushing yards per game (129.1). The trenches aren't the only disaster anymore.
The real "stress point," as the scouts like to call it, is the secondary and the linebacker corps.
Cor'Dale Flott is hitting free agency. Paulson Adebo spent more time in the medical tent than on the field last year. If the Giants don't address the back end of the defense, Jaxson Dart could throw for 400 yards and they’ll still lose 42-40.
The Caleb Downs Dilemma
There is a lot of chatter about Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Sports Illustrated’s Daniel Flick is already mocking him to New York at No. 5.
"Downs may be the closest thing to a can't-miss prospect in this class... he'll immediately elevate a Giants defense that already has an abundance of capital poured into its defensive line."
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But here’s the rub: do you really take a safety at No. 5? In 2026?
It’s a tough pill to swallow when guys like Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State) are on the board. Imagine a world where Jaxson Dart has Malik Nabers on one side and Tyson on the other. That’s an offense that actually scares people. But then you remember the defense gave up a touchdown on the first play of the game against the Lions. It’s a mess.
Assessing the Joe Schoen Track Record
You can't talk about draft picks ny giants without looking at the guy making the calls. Joe Schoen is under the microscope. Big time.
The 2022 class is looking... complicated. Kayvon Thibodeaux is a star, but Evan Neal has been a massive struggle. Then you look at 2025. Abdul Carter was the "generational" pick at No. 3, but he finished the year with only four sacks. Sure, his 66 pressures were elite for a rookie, but in New York, we want results on the scoreboard (or the sack sheet).
Jaxson Dart (Pick 25, 2025) is the wildcard. He’s got the "it" factor. He lit up the Broncos for four touchdowns, but he also has a "cavalier" running style that led to a concussion and multiple injury scares. If Dart is the franchise, the 2026 draft has to be about protecting him—either with a tackle like Spencer Fano (Utah) or by giving him so many weapons that the ball is out in two seconds.
Real Talk: The 2026 Targets
If the draft happened tomorrow, the Giants' front office would probably be debating three distinct paths.
The Defensive Pillar: Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State) or Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State). Reese is a freak. You can play him at linebacker, drop him in coverage, or let him hunt quarterbacks. He’s the modern-day defensive weapon the Giants haven't had since... well, you know who.
The "Dart" Support System: Jordyn Tyson. This would be a massive fan-service move, reuniting Tyson with his college teammate Cam Skattebo. It gives Dart a "big-bodied" target to complement Nabers' speed.
The Trade Down: This is the smart move. Honestly. If a team wants to jump up for a quarterback, Schoen could recoup that lost third-rounder and maybe snag an extra second. Moving from 5 to 9 could still land them a stud corner like Mansoor Delane from LSU.
What This Means for You
As we head into the 2026 offseason, don't get too attached to one name. The Giants have 40 players under contract, and Black Monday just happened, so a new coaching staff might change the entire evaluation of the roster.
Actionable Next Steps for Giants Fans:
- Watch the Senior Bowl: Keep an eye on interior offensive linemen. With no 3rd round pick, the Giants need to find a Day 3 gem who can start at guard.
- Monitor the Medicals: Jordyn Tyson has some "red flags" regarding a nagging hamstring. If he clears the combine medicals, he's a top-5 lock. If not, the Giants might lean defense.
- Track the QB Market: Even if the Giants are set on Dart, they want other teams to be desperate for a QB. That’s what drives up the trade value of the No. 5 pick.
The draft picks ny giants fans are obsessing over right now will define whether the "rebuild" finally ends or if we're just resetting the clock for another three years. It’s Pittsburgh in April. See you there.