It's only a matter of time before the New York Giants make the inaugural selection of the John Harbaugh era in the 2026 NFL Draft. There doesn't appear to be a consensus target, though ESPN's Adam Schefter seems to have an idea of who the club will take.
Several names have a strong case to go No. 5 overall to the Giants, but only one will hear their name called. New York has been connected to high-end prospects on both sides of the ball. Nevertheless, Schefter is under the impression that Harbaugh will choose one of the studs from Ohio State's historically dominant stop unit in 2025.
Dynamic edge rusher Arvell Reese almost certainly won't be available when the Giants are on the clock, all but ruling him out. So, maybe it's standout linebacker Sonny Style, or star safety Caleb Downs. Either way, Schefter thinks a Buckeye will be taking their talents to New York in due course:
"I think, my own sense, reading between the lines, is that it's going to be an Ohio State defensive player," Schefter said (h/t The Adam Schefter Podcast). "Whether that's going to be Sonny Styles, or whether that's going to be Caleb Downs. Both players, I believe, would be just what John Harbaugh is looking for in his very first pick as the Giants' head coach. To me, one of those two guys makes sense."
Adam Schefter lays the groundwork for Giants to draft either Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs
Keep in mind that this is Schefter's opinion — not a report — as he made sure to specify. His intel leads him to suppose that one of Downs or Styles lands with the G-Men. The insider believes both guys "are representative of" the player Harbaugh will "be looking for."
Of course, electrifying Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love will be part of the discussion until the Giants officially decide on someone. The same goes for the stalwart offensive lineman out of Miami, Francis Mauigoa. They're also possible options for the Giants, which Schefter acknowledged, yet Downs and Styles are his "favorites" to wind up with Big Blue.
The beauty of sitting at or near the top of the board is that there can be multiple right moves. Conversely, there can also be equally as many wrong answers. However, Styles and Downs project to be difference-makers at the next level.
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