The NFL Combine is in full swing, and even with 53 days still standing between now and the 2026 Draft, it’s hard not to get swept up in the theatrics and start counting down to April.
There’s something about this year’s Big Ten crop that makes it easy to build around. The conference churned out size, speed, and legitimate Day 1 contributors on both sides of the ball, and the New York Giants just so happen to have needs that line up almost perfectly with that pipeline.
So instead of bouncing around the conferences, this one stays in familiar territory. Four rounds. All Big Ten. One bold trade on Day 2 to shake things up and add extra draft capital. Let’s see how it plays out in my latest four-round mock draft: Big Ten edition.
Giants lean into Big Ten pipeline in latest 4-round mock draft
Round 1 | Pick 5: Sonny Styles - LB, Ohio State
No one's draft stock rose as much as Styles' with his Herculean Combine performance. Seriously, take a look at these numbers: 4.46 40-time, 11-foot-2 broad jump, and 43.5-inch vertical. That's faster than George Pickens, further than Derwin James, and higher than Davante Adams, respectively.
Because of the literal otherworldly performance, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound off-ball linebacker has been compared to Fred Warner and Kyle Hamilton. Not exactly bad company. Typically, LBs don't get much consideration in the top five, let alone the top 10, but Styles is clearly built different. The Giants have a glaring need for an upgrade at the position, and Styles allows them to draft best player available and for need, making him an easy pick here.
We have a trade to announce: With the 37th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Giants trade the selection to the Carolina Panthers for Nos. 51 and 83. Carolina selects Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, while the G-Men move back in the second round and pick up a much-needed third-rounder.
Round 2 | Pick 51: Davison Igbinosun - CB, Ohio State
Head coach John Harbaugh hired Dennard Wilson to be his defensive coordinator for a reason, and it’s probably because the defensive backs room, especially at corner, is a mess. Wilson’s specialty is developing DBs. With Styles manning the middle of the defense, focus shifts to giving the 43-year-old DC his newest project, Davison Igbinosun.
The prodigal (Igbino)sun returns. The New Jersey native comes home and instantly fills the need for a boundary cornerback. He's got great size -- 6-foot-2, 195 pounds -- and gives Wilson exactly the kind of canvas he likes to work with. He’s long, physical at the line, and built to survive against bigger NFL receivers. He’s comfortable in press coverage, holds his own in zone, and isn’t afraid to stick his nose in against the run. For a CB room that needs stability and upside at the same time, this is a no-brainer pick.
Round 3 | Pick 83: Elijah Sarratt - WR, Indiana
Picking up a third-round pick from anyone was a must, but as it just so happened, Sadiq slipped through the first round, and Carolina was willing to trade up to secure the best tight end prospect of the class. The pick comes in handy because, through two rounds, franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart is still searching for help in the receiver room. He finds it with Indiana's Elijah Sarratt.
He plays through contact, wins at the catch point, and understands how to get open when things go off the rails. Indiana leaned on him in big moments for a reason, and 44 career touchdowns don’t happen by accident. With Wan’Dale Robinson expected to go elsewhere, the receiver room needs more than a recovering Malik Nabers. Sarratt gives the offense steady, no-frills value in Round 3 and fills a pretty clear need.
Round 4 | Pick 105: J.C. Davis - OT, Illinois
The G-Men can’t ignore the right side of the line with both Jermaine Eluemunor and Greg Van Roten headed toward free agency... not to mention the Evan Neal experiment finally ending. Even if one returns, depth is thin, and they’ve learned the hard way how quickly that becomes a problem. Davis gives them a practical Day 3 option who can compete at tackle or kick inside to guard if needed.
Davis started 49 straight games and brings good size at 6-foot-5, 335 pounds. He was one of the better run blockers in the Big Ten last season and allowed just one sack in over 800 snaps. He’s not perfect against speed on the edge, but he’s durable, physical, and versatile enough to fill multiple spots when called upon.