Perhaps no one was more tapped into John Harbaugh's arrival as the 21st head coach of the New York Giants than The Athletic's Ian O'Connor. The former has the ear of the latter, and their connection could be a tell on the club's plans moving forward.
O'Connor was already a renowned columnist with deep-rooted ties in the Giants' organization. In February, he announced that his next book will be about the franchise's five-year stretch from 2007 through 2011, which included two Super Bowl victories. Add in a strong relationship with Harbaugh, and we have a rock-solid source.
So, we may want to listen when O'Connor weighs in on New York's potential personnel decisions, including (but not limited to) the 2026 NFL Draft. He's "putting [his] $20" on the Giants selecting Ohio State standout linebacker Sonny Styles with this year's No. 5 overall pick. Do with that information what you will.
John Harbaugh whisperer may have tipped Giants' plan to draft Ohio State LB Sonny Styles
Styles has been one of the most popular names mentioned as a target for the Giants, and for good reason. He's a 99th-percentile athlete with a strong collegiate résumé, coming off an impressive four-year career with one of the nation's premier programs. His combination of size, speed and explosiveness makes him a tantalizing prospect — one O'Connor believes will wind up in New York.
Of course, a lot can change between now and when the Giants are on the clock on April 23rd. Heck, Styles might not be available, considering he's in play to hear his name called before then. Nevertheless, O'Connor makes a pretty compelling case, even citing Harbaugh's desire to stifle opposing rushing attacks.
In the words of Harbaugh (via O'Connor), a four- or five-yard rush is "a disaster." And "if it breaks out past that, we can't even breathe." Plugging Styles into the back of the Giants' front seven would go a long way towards slowing foes down on the ground.
Harbaugh wants the run "stoned," and that's "priority No. 1," according to O'Connor. Big Blue's new leader envisions a "big, physical, all-weather defense that mirrors the championship Giants teams of the past." With that in mind, Styles profiles as the likeliest option.
For what it's worth, Styles doesn't appear to be the only player on the Giants' radar. O'Connor did add that things get "very interesting" if the former Buckeye and Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love both fall to New York.