Things didn't exactly go well for the New York Giants in 2025. They went 4-13 and were back to playing bottom-feeder once again. But while the season might have been a complete wash -- resulting in the firing of head coach Brian Daboll -- the rookie class brought hope to a fanbase that's been going through it.
Coming away with a franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart, a pass rusher with unlimited potential in Abdul Carter, and a borderline psychotic-in-the-best-way running back in Cam Skattebo feels like the perfect appetizer for one of the most important drafts the Giants have ever had. Add in the Dexter Lawrence blockbuster trade with the Bengals for the 10th overall pick, and it’s bon appétit.
With John Harbaugh now leading the charge and two top-10 picks, the sky is the limit for this up-and-coming, scrappy team. The 2026 draft class might not be filled to the brim with top-tier prospects, but there’s plenty of starter-worthy talent, giving the G-Men eight real chances to improve the roster. Let’s get drafty.
- Giants draft snapshot
- Best remaining draft targets
- What the experts are saying
- Updated Giants depth chart
- Draft pick tracker
- Tracking the NFC East rivals
Giants draft snapshot
- Current draft capital: Picks No. 5, No. 10, No. 37, No. 105, No. 145, No. 186, No. 192, No. 193
- Primary needs: Guard, linebacker, wide receiver, defensive line, defensive back
- Latest mock selection: Francis Mauigoa
- Last updated: 9:00 PM ET, April 21, 2026
There are two glaring roster needs for the G-Men heading into the 2026 NFL Draft: a starting right guard and secondary help. But you could argue that adding a linebacker or defensive lineman (especially after the Lawrence trade) to the front seven is the closest second as seconds come.
But that's what makes draft night so beautiful. On the surface, it might feel like the Giants have to do this or need to do that, but teams aren't built from the couch. It'll all come down to who's left on the board when Big Blue's name is officially on the clock. There's no better night than draft night.
Best remaining draft targets
Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
Drafting for need rarely produces results. But when you can fill a need while also getting the best player available, that's the sweet spot. Francis "Sisi" Mauigoa is an absolute unit. He stands at 6-foot-6, 330 pounds, and his player comp is a steamroller. His strength and athleticism allow him to get to the second level to pulverize defenders through the earth.
It just so happens that the G-Men need a starting right guard, even after signing just about every available vet on the market to a one-year deal. He'll likely move inside in the beginning of his career, but what makes him an interesting pick is his eventual ability to kick back out and either play on the right side of the line or the blindside. An asymptomatic herniated disc could complicate things, but reports suggest he won't need surgery.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Let this mark the beginning of the Ohio State run. Sonny Styles is not your typical linebacker. Look close enough, and you might catch a horn coming out of his helmet, because he’s about as close to a unicorn as this league gets. Guys his size (6-foot-5, 243 pounds) aren’t supposed to run a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash. They also aren’t supposed to jump 11-foot-2 in the broad jump or 43.5 inches in the vertical, but... unicorns, you know?
The 21-year-old is a converted safety, but he likely won't carry the same red flags that plagued Isaiah Simmons and his career. He was more positionless ameoba, whereas Styles is more structured off-ball linebacker. His missed tackle percentage tells a story of a future All-Pro manning the middle for the foreseeable future.
Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
Safeties don't typically garner the draft pedigree of a top-five pick, but when you're Caleb Downs, the narrative changes. Downs rivals Jeremiyah Love (more on him in a minute) as the class' best overall football player, which takes positional value lenses and smashes them.
Consider the 6-foot, 205-pounder as Harbaugh's next Kyle Hamilton, minus the size. He can play all over the secondary, biut is best deployed closer to the line of scrimmage in the box or playing nickel corner. Harbaugh built some of his best defenses using three safety sets -- Downs, Jevón Holland, and Tyler Nubin could be his next trio.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Another former Buckeye? Third time's the charm. However, unlike the previous two, Carnell Tate isn't here to be defensive. No, the 6-foot-2, 192-pounder is here to be as offensive as humanly possible. It's clear Dart doesn't have enough weapons, and Tate would scratch that itch and then some.
The 21-year-old runs some buttery smooth routes and would fill the need for a boundary "X" receiver opposite Malik Nabers. His ability to get open, make contested catches, and track the ball downfield is exactly what this team is currently missing. Tate finished with 121 catches for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
How much does having Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Devin Singletary on the roster mean for Harbaugh and Co.? That's ultimately the question they'll have to answer if the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley falls to them at five.
Big Blue isn't exactly hurting for another running back, but players like Jeremiyah Love only come around every so often. The 20-year-old is a big play waiting to happen. Styles isn't the only unicorn of the class. Few, if any, RBs can match his track speed, power, size, and receiving ability. There's a reason he's consistently compared to Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. Love is that good.
What the experts are saying
Jordan Raanan, ESPN: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (5), Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State (10)
ESPN's Jordan Raanan can't believe that Jeremiyah Love is still on the board at No. 5, making him an easy selection for Big Blue. The superstar running back is in play for the top prospect of the class, and apparently too much for Harby to pass up. He quotes Schoen, calling the 20-year-old a "weapon," pointing out the Giants need more of those.
With the 10th pick, another can't-miss prospect falls to New York -- this time, on the defensive side. Downs is one of the safest picks in the draft and can emulate what Kyle Hamilton and Ed Reed meant to Harbaugh while in Baltimore. Pretty elite company.
Bucky Brooks, NFL Network: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (5), Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (10)
Similar to Raanan, NFL Network's Bucky Brooks also has the G-Men upgrading the backfield with Jeremiyah Love at five. Brooks sees Love as the fix to the Saquon Barkley mistake Schoen made two years ago. He believes an offensive foursome of Dart, Skatt, Leek, and Love would be ideal for their franchise quarterback hopeful.
But that's not all. ASU standout wideout, Jordyn Tyson, comes in at 10 to push this offense over the top. Tyson is the class' best receiver, but a lengthy injury history could give teams some pause. However, coming away with two players who are the best at their respective positions -- both on offense -- could be exactly what this team needs to get Harbaugh Year 1 rolling in the right direction.
Updated Giants depth chart
Offense
- QB:Â Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston, Brandon Allen
- RB:Â Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, Eric Gray
- FB:Â Patrick Ricard
- WR:Â Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, Isaiah Hodgins, Jalin Hyatt
- TE:Â Isaiah Likely, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz, Thomas Fidone II
- OL:Â Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan, John Michael Schmitz, Daniel Faalele, Jermaine Eluemunor, Marcus Mbow, Aaron Stinnie, Jake Kubas, Joshua Ezeudu, Evan Neal, Lucas Patrick
It might look like a million players are suiting up for the offense, but a lot of these guys will be released once the 53-man roster comes out later in the offseason. Don't let quantity fool you; there's a major need for more quality.
The offensive line still needs help. And while I'm probably on their list for another receiver at this point, expect Big Blue to add a dynamic weapon for its 22-year-old franchise quarterback in the form of a stud wide receiver.
Defense
- IDL:Â Roy Robertson-Harris, Sam Roberts, Darius Alexander, Elijah Chatman, Marlon, Tuipulotu
- EDGE:Â Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Chauncey Golston, DeMarvin Leal, Caleb Murphy
- LB:Â Tremaine Edmunds, Micah McFadden, Darius Muasau, Swayze Bozeman, Zaire Barnes, Cam Jones
- CB:Â Paulson Adebo, Greg Newsome II, Dru Phillips, Deonte Banks, Korie Black, Art Green, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Rico Payton
- S: Jevón Holland, Tyler Nubin, Ar'Darius Washington, Jason Pinnock, Elijah Campbell, Raheem Layne, Beau Brade, Nic Jones
You'll notice there's a 340-pound void in the middle of the defense, and that definitely stings. It stings a helluva lot less knowing they fleeced the Bungals into giving up the 10th overall pick, but I digress. The defense is a work in progress, and with new DC Dennard Wilson leading the unit, expect an emphasis on versatile, physical defenders.
They'll need to address the defensive line. The linebacker room could also use an upgrade. But the most unimpressive group has to be the secondary. They're currently rostering 16 players, with maybe two being mortal locks for a significant role. Send help.
Draft pick tracker
Pick | Player |
|---|---|
5 | TBD |
10 | TBD |
37 | TBD |
105 | TBD |
145 | TBD |
186 | TBD |
192 | TBD |
193 | TBD |
Tracking the NFC East rivals
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, pick 12:
- Round 1, pick 20:
- Round 3, pick 92:
- Round 4, pick 112:
- Round 5, pick 152:
- Round 5, pick 177:
- Round 5, pick 180:
- Round 7, pick 218:
The Cowboys, like the Giants, have two first-round picks. With no offensive lineman named "Tyler" in play, it's unclear what direction America's Team will go. The defense is a work in progress, with a clear need to upgrade the entire defense. They have holes at linebacker, edge rusher, and cornerback. Expect them to hammer out two of those three with their two first-rounders.
Then again, when it comes to Jerry Jones, expect the unexpected.
Philadelphia Eagles:
- Round 1, pick 23:
- Round 2, pick 54:
- Round 3, pick 68:
- Round 3, pick 98:
- Round 4, pick 114:
- Round 4, pick 137:
- Round 5, pick 178:
- Round 6, pick 197:
Bye Eagles, bye. No one cares what they'll do. They'll likely go offensive line with their first round pick -- Lane Johnson's getting up there in age, but they have question marks everywhere on their roster. Star WR A.J. Brown could be moved on draft night. Their pass-rush is suspect with Jaelan Phillips bolting for Carolina. Their secondary is a concern. And to top it all off, Jalen Hurts continues to show he's more a product of his environment than anything else.
This is a massively important draft for the Iggles. Let's hope they completely botch it.
Washington Commanders:
- Round 1, pick 7:
- Round 3, pick 71:
- Round 5, pick 147:
- Round 6, pick 187:
- Round 6, pick 209:
- Round 7, pick 223:
The Washington Commanders are still trying to convince themselves that going 12-5 and going to the NFC Championship Game in 2024 wasn't a fluke, despite the past 10 years suggesting otherwise. Jayden Daniels' second season was underwhelming, and now they find themselves with the seventh pick of the draft. Styles will be very much in play, so will Love, Tate, and Downs.
It’s a pretty underwhelming roster for the Commies that needs a lot of help, and without many picks, it’ll be tough to patch it up.
