Well, it’s that time of year again -- it’s mock draft season! Yes, the playoffs are still going, and the offseason hasn’t officially begun, but for New York Giants fans celebrating the team's hiring of John Harbaugh, they have shifted their attention to the franchise’s future.
With the NFL Draft coming up in April and the G-Men holding the fifth overall pick, many fans are wondering who Harbaugh’s first draft pick as the team’s HC will be. Big Blue’s biggest needs are at wide receiver and the secondary, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they went after either position in the first round.
As mock drafts circulate, all eyes turn to respected ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr., who recently published his first official mock draft, which aligns perfectly with the Giants' needs at pick No. 5.
Mel Kiper Jr. has the Giants taking Ohio State WR Carnell Tate at No. 5
It’s no surprise who Kiper Jr. selected for the Giants in his first mock draft, and that’s, of course, Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, who would be an excellent addition to New York’s passing game opposite wideout Malik Nabers.
Tate caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns this year despite missing three regular-season games due to injury. The best part is that the 6-foot-3, 195-pound wideout wasn’t even the Buckeyes' leading receiver after Jeremiah Smith's breakout this season.
He could also serve as a Wan’Dale Robinson replacement if the G-Men are unable to retain him in free agency, and with it being no guarantee that Nabers will be ready for the start of 2026, getting Jaxson Dart another weapon he can throw to would be crucial and make a ton of sense for the Giants.
Kiper Jr. noted this wouldn't be the first time Harbaugh has used a first-round pick on a wide receiver. Since 2015 with the Ravens, he’s done so four times: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Hollywood Brown, and Breshad Perriman.
Luckily for Harbaugh, Joe Schoen, and the Giants' regime, this draft has a deep wide receiver class, which should make it easier for them to find impact players at that position. The class also includes Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson, USC wideout Makai Lemon, and Washington wideout Denzel Boston, all of whom are projected to be first-round picks.
Harbaugh has wasted no time getting himself acclimated to the Giants and has already made moves to his coaching staff, hiring Dennard Wilson as defensive coordinator and Chris Horton as special teams coordinator.
Todd Monken is expected to follow Harbaugh to the Giants as offensive coordinator, though the position remains open. Selecting a top wide receiver like Tate would provide a valuable asset for the Giants’ future offensive coordinator.