The New York Giants are officially back in the top five. Honestly, after a grueling 4-13 season that saw Brian Daboll fired mid-year and the offense sputter through long stretches, Giants fans are looking for any silver lining they can find. Well, here it is: the 2026 NFL Draft order is essentially set for the non-playoff teams, and Big Blue is locked into the No. 5 overall selection.
It's a weird spot to be in.
On one hand, picking that high means you had a miserable year. On the other, it’s exactly where you find the kind of "blue-chip" talent that fixes a roster. With general manager Joe Schoen being retained to oversee the search for a new head coach—likely the biggest ny giants draft news of the week—the pressure is on to actually hit a home run this time. The early buzz? It’s all about the trenches and the secondary.
The John Harbaugh Factor and the No. 5 Pick
Everything changed the moment John Harbaugh became available. After he and the Ravens parted ways, the Giants immediately emerged as a front-runner for his services. If Harbaugh lands in East Rutherford, the draft strategy shifts. He’s a "trench" guy. He wants physical, violent blockers and a defense that doesn't just bend, but breaks the opponent's spirit.
At No. 5, the Giants are in a prime position to give him exactly that.
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While the Raiders, Jets, and Cardinals pick ahead of them, the Giants are in a unique spot because they might actually have their quarterback. Jaxson Dart, despite the injuries that plagued the roster, showed enough flashes of being "the guy" that the front office isn't necessarily desperate to reach for a QB like Fernando Mendoza or Ty Simpson.
This gives Schoen massive leverage.
If a team behind them—say, the Saints or the Cowboys—falls in love with a quarterback, the Giants could trade back, hoard assets, and still land a cornerstone player. But if they stay put? The names you need to know are Caleb Downs and Francis Mauigoa.
Why Caleb Downs is the Name on Everyone's Lips
Draft experts like Mel Kiper are already circling Caleb Downs as a potential Giant. The Ohio State safety is basically a defensive coordinator on the field. He’s the brother of Josh Downs and the son of Gary Downs, so the NFL pedigree is there.
He’s the kind of player who diagnoses a play before the ball is even snapped.
Pairing him with a young secondary could stabilize a unit that was, frankly, a sieve at times last season. But safety at No. 5? It’s a rich price. Usually, you want an edge rusher or a tackle there. However, Downs is the type of "unicorn" prospect that makes you ignore the traditional value charts.
Fixing the Protection for Jaxson Dart
Let's talk about the offensive line. Outside of Andrew Thomas, it’s been a mess. Jermaine Eluemunor is heading into free agency, and the Evan Neal experiment has essentially reached its end.
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If the Giants want Jaxson Dart to survive a full 17-game slate, they need a bookend.
Francis Mauigoa from Miami is the name that keeps popping up in mock drafts. He’s a powerhouse. While some scouts worry he doesn't have the "ideal" length for a left tackle, he’s a perfect fit for a right tackle in a physical, run-heavy system. Imagine him clearing lanes for Cam Skattebo.
It would completely change the identity of the offense.
Instead of Dart running for his life on every third down, he might actually have a clean pocket to find Malik Nabers. Nabers is coming off a torn ACL, but the expectation is he’ll be 100% by the time training camp rolls around. Giving a healthy Nabers and a healthy Dart a top-tier offensive line is the fastest way to turn 4 wins into 9 or 10.
The Defensive Front is "Almost" There
The weirdest part of the current ny giants draft news is the defensive line. On paper, it’s elite. You have Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and the rising star Abdul Carter.
But Kayvon Thibodeaux is the wildcard here.
He’s set to earn nearly $15 million in guaranteed salary next year, and after a season that many considered disappointing, there are whispers that the Giants could look to move him. If they do, that opens up another hole. Do they use the No. 5 pick on an edge rusher like Arvell Reese?
Reese is a freak athlete from Ohio State who can play linebacker or rush the passer. He’s polished, battle-tested, and would give the Giants a terrifying pass-rush rotation.
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What the Fans are Getting Wrong
There's a lot of "trade for a veteran" talk on social media. People want a quick fix.
But looking at the cap situation and the dead money falling off the books, the draft is where the real building happens. The Giants have 40 players under contract. They need depth. They need a center who can actually anchor the middle, like Iapani Laloulu from Oregon.
They also need a big-bodied "X" receiver.
Denzel Boston from Washington is a name to watch in the later rounds or if the Giants trade back. He’s 6-foot-4 and wins with physicality. Pairing him with Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson would give the Giants a balanced receiving corps for the first time in years.
Actionable Next Steps for Giants Fans
The draft isn't until April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, but the foundation is being laid right now. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is what you should be watching:
- The Head Coaching Search: Everything depends on this. If it's John Harbaugh, expect a focus on the offensive line and physical defenders. If it's a more offensive-minded "guru," they might look for more playmakers.
- The Senior Bowl: Keep an eye on the interior offensive linemen. The Giants have a desperate need at guard and center.
- Jaxson Dart's Health: His recovery and offseason progress will dictate whether Schoen even considers a QB at the top of the draft.
- The Thibodeaux Narrative: Watch for reports during the Combine. If the Giants are listening to offers, it tells you everything you need to know about their Round 1 priorities.
The Giants are at a crossroads. The No. 5 pick is a gift, provided they don't overthink it. Whether it's a shutdown safety like Downs or a brick-wall tackle like Mauigoa, the goal is simple: stop the bleeding and give the young core a chance to actually compete in the NFC East.