Giants 7-round mock draft ignites John Harbaugh era with instant game-changers

The New York Giants are on an upward trajectory, if for no other reason than their hiring of Super Bowl-winning head coach John Harbaugh. There's a certain credibility and gravitas Harbaugh brings to the organization that the G-Men have frankly lacked since Tom Coughlin's heyday.

Harbaugh is hoping the immense success he enjoyed in the NFL Draft over many years with the Ravens translates to more of the same in New York. GM Joe Schoen has actually brought in a couple strong rookie classes of late, which gives fans all the more reason to be optimistic.

Let's explore a seven-round mock draft where the Giants build on all that goodwill and momentum to vault into the NFC playoff picture in Harbaugh's maiden season at the helm.

Giants 7-round mock draft completes hat trick with yet another strong crop of rookies

Round 1, Pick 5 — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

There's recent buzz that Tennessee's Jermod McCoy could eclipse Mansoor Delane as the first cornerback off the board despite missing the 2025 season with a torn ACL. Delane feels like a safer bet in the top five after allowing a 31.3 passer rating during his final year in Baton Rouge.

If McCoy does emerge as this draft's CB1 and the G-Men are privy to such information prior to picking, they could move out of this spot and still get Delane a little further down the board. Wouldn't be a total surprise to see New York trade down to add a third-round pick to this class.

Round 2, Pick 37 — Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

Splashy free-agent acquisition Tremaine Edmunds gives the Giants a new leader at the second level of their defense. While Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is a possibility at No. 5, this scenario sees New York stick to the Buckeye State for a stellar Day 2 product in Cincinnati's Jake Golday.

In addition to being a converted edge defender, Golday has lots of experience playing in the slot (501 snaps since 2024). He'd be an intriguing, movable chess piece to add to the Giants' front seven. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson could deploy some exotic simulated pressures with Golday in the lineup.

Round 4, Pick 105 — Billy Schrauth, OL, Notre Dame

Ex-Ravens guard Daniel Faalele is the latest past Harbaugh player to join the fold in New York. Lucas Patrick adds even more depth to the interior o-line. That said, Patrick and Faalele aren't a couple of world beaters who'll preclude the G-Men from drafting a guard rather early.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic released his annual draft guide "The Beast" not long ago. It highlighted the medical red flags for Billy Schrauth, including an MCL sprain in 2025. Nothing too alarming, though, and not enough to dissuade New York from investing in him to start Day 3.

Schrauth has experience at both guard spots, and surrendered only one sack on his last 603 pass blocking snaps for Notre Dame.

Round 5, Pick 145 — Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati

Ex-Giants head coach and new Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll pounded the table for slot specialist Wan'Dale Robinson to reunite with him in Tennessee. Another Cincy prospect in Cyrus Allen could fill that void, or at least provide the Giants another long-term option in that role.

Projected slot starter Calvin Austin III is only on a one-year contract after all. Allen showed a unique nose for the end zone last year, hauling in 13 TD catches among his 51 receptions.

Round 6, Pick 186 — Pat Coogan, C, Indiana

Investing in more protection for young quarterback Jaxson Dart is never a bad idea. Pat Coogan was a key pillar on Indiana's national championship team, snapping the ball to shoo-in No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Patrick was the Cincinnati Bengals' starting right guard in Week 1 last season. Although he's a capable backup center for John Michael Schmitz, he might be the best option at that spot for the G-Men in competition with Faalele and Evan Neal. That'd create a need for Coogan to fill.

Round 6, Pick 192 — Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech

It remains to be seen whether Cole Wisniewski is a linebacker or safety at the NFL level. The 6-foot-3, 219-pounder could find a niche as a plus-sized subpackage nickel. Wisniewski balled out for Texas Tech after transferring from North Dakota State, where his production in 2023 in particular (eight interceptions) was off the charts.

As long as the foot injury that kept him out for the 2024 campaign keeps checking out OK, Wisniewski is a strong fit for the G-Men and can serve as a potential special teams ace. That would align nicely with Harbaugh's area of expertise.

Round 6, Pick 193 — Joshua Weru, EDGE, Kenya

Pulling from the International Player Pathway program is always a roll of the dice. Nevertheless, the Giants have three sixth-round picks, putting them in prime position to take a flier on an athletic freakazoid like Joshua Weru.

New York's pass rush is loaded as is. Weru is a pure developmental prospect who could pay huge dividends down the road. Learning from the likes of Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux would be an ideal situation for him.