It's like clockwork for the New York Giants. They seemingly decide to get hot down the stretch every season -- long after being eliminated from playoff contention, and 2026 is no different.
New York finished strong with a 34-17 Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys. It was an encouraging performance from the Giants, specifically from rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and second-year running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., albeit absolutely back-breaking timing.
With that in mind, let's take a look at where the Giants sit in this year's draft following their victory against the Cowboys.
Updated 2026 NFL Draft order after Giants' damaging Week 18 win vs. Cowboys
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New York Jets
- Arizona Cardinals
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
- Cleveland Browns
- Washington Commanders
- New Orleans Saints
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Miami Dolphins
- Dallas Cowboys
- Atlanta Falcons (to Los Angeles Rams)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Indianapolis Colts (to New York Jets)
- Baltimore Ravens
- Detroit Lions
- Minnesota Vikings
- Carolina Panthers
- Green Bay Packers (to Dallas Cowboys)
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Buffalo Bills
- Chicago Bears
- San Francisco 49ers
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars (to Cleveland Browns)
- Los Angeles Rams
- New England Patriots
- Denver Broncos
- Seattle Seahawks
Suddenly, the Giants hold the fifth overall selection. They could've moved down another spot, too, though the Commanders beating the Eagles in Philadelphia saved them from further sliding down the hierarchy. Talk about a brutal turn of events for a club that was sitting atop the board less than a month ago.
The Giants beat the Raiders in their "Toilet Bowl' clash only to help them out in the end. Las Vegas was the lucky loser, securing the No. 1 pick as a result of New York's defeat of the Cowboys. This is Exhibit Z of why Big Blue Nation can't have nice things.
We've now seen the Giants be on the right side of consecutive blowouts: where was that in the 15 games before? Why can't they do this consistently, and perhaps more notably, when their postseason hopes are still alive? These are the million-dollar questions that folks all across the tri-state area are ostensibly asking annually.
If there's any silver lining for the Giants faithful to hang its hat on, Dart ends a strong inaugural pro campaign on a high note. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns while posting a 110.2 passer rating, plus 32 rushing yards on five carries.