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Field Yates mapped out a Giants draft path that's too good to pass up

Field Yates’ mock draft gives the Giants two positions they need to address at the NFL Draft.
Ohio State Buckeyes - safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes - safety Caleb Downs | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

It wouldn’t be April if we weren’t getting mock drafts, and with the NFL Draft just three weeks away, it’s time to start predicting what John Harbaugh and the New York Giants are going to do when they are on the clock.

The G-Men have the No. 5 pick in the draft and have several needs they can address with it. We’ve already begun hearing several rumors about what the team could do, but it’s still up in the air, as they can go in many different directions with this pick.

New York has expressed interest in Ohio State’s Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, and Carnell Tate, and has surprisingly been linked to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. We really have no idea what Joe Schoen and Harbaugh are going to do on draft night, and all we can do for now is wait and look at recent mock drafts to prepare.

Field Yates' recent mock draft left no surprises for the Giants at pick No. 5

Field Yates of ESPN recently released his latest rounds 1-2 mock draft and left no surprises for who he has the Giants drafting with pick No. 5; however, he has an under-the-radar player whom he has New York drafting in the second round.

With the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Yates has the G-Men selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. He argues that Big Blue made strides in improving its safety room in free agency with the additions of Jason Pinnock and Ar’Darius Washington to pair alongside Jevon Holland. However, the most successful defenses in the NFL deploy three safeties. Yates called Downs a dominant force longer than any other defender in this class.

The interesting thing about this mock draft is that Yates has the Titans selecting Styles at pick No. 4 and the Browns taking Tate at pick No. 6, which would mean three straight Buckeyes would be drafted. What I would want to know is if Styles were, for some reason, on the board at No. 5, would he be the Giants' pick over Downs, since linebacker is also a need for New York after releasing Bobby Okereke?

With the 37th pick, Yates has Big Blue selecting Texas A&M offensive guard Chase Bisontis and says he would really boost their guard position, but also points out that he has experience playing right tackle, too.

I actually think this could be a good addition for the G-Men, as they need a right guard to pair alongside Jermaine Eluemunor. The Giants are set with Andrew Thomas manning the left side and Eluemunor on the right. Not to mention, they have Marcus Mbow, who can play tackle as well.

If New York can find its right guard for the future, it will be in good hands and provide Jaxson Dart with the protection he needs. I think all Giants fans can agree we don’t want to see Evan Neal starting at all next season.

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