It’s not even December, but the New York Giants’ 2025 season is already over. At 2-10, they’re the first team eliminated from playoff contention and already eyeing the 2026 Draft. So, if there's any silver lining, it's that the G-Men are going to have a top pick, which puts them in a dangerous spot.
They’ve already got their franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart, which is more than a lot of teams can say. Hello, prime position to take advantage of some QB-needy teams. And as is often the case with being quarterback-needy, the G-Men can now exploit someone else’s overcorrection in a move that directly benefits their 22-year-old rookie phenom.
In this latest two-round mock (done through Pro Football Network), the Shedeur Sanders-led Browns realize that Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is just too good to pass up. So, they make a move with Big Blue to trade up for the No. 2 overall pick... which the Giants are more than happy to accept:
Now armed with three picks inside the top 40, Joe Schoen, or whoever the team’s general manager will be, has some serious draft capital to bring top-end prospects to East Rutherford and continue assembling franchise cornerstones for their inevitable rise under Dart.
Giants 2026 mock draft adds much-needed firepower around Jaxson Dart
With the sixth overall pick, it's take the best player available and see how the rest of the board falls. Safeties aren't typically selected this high, but Big Blue's never-ending secondary struggles, and Caleb Downs' pro-readiness make the 21-year-old scheme-versatile safety out of The Ohio State University an easy choice.
The G-Men need someone to make a play late when the game is on the line. The theme of this season has been blowing late leads. Downs is viewed as an immediate-impact player and defensive cornerstone. Even though the Giants have already paid Jevón Holland a hefty contract and drafted Tyler Nubin in 2024, the jury’s still out on both of their long-term futures in Giants blue.
Wide receiver was considered here, but Downs’ potential, youth, playmaking ability, and elite instincts were too hard to pass up.
Did someone say receiver help? While Downs' selection doesn't directly help Dart in regards to pass protection or catching passes, Tennessee's Chris Brazzell absolutely does.
Size, size, and more size. That’s what the junior from Midland, TX offers Dart and Co. He’s the perfect threat opposite Malik Nabers, with Wan’Dale Robinson working the slot. Brazzell makes full use of his 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame. He’s a strong contested-catch receiver with elite body control, strong hands, and a wide catch radius.
He’s currently enjoying a breakout campaign: 56 receptions, 926 yards, 16.5 yards per catch, and eight touchdowns. The offense needs more weapons around its rookie quarterback, and Brazzell gives them a Nico Collins-esque threat to build around.
Another Caleb? You bet.
If the 2025 season has proven anything, it's that bookend left tackle Andrew Thomas is the real deal. He's been nothing short of amazing since making his return from a season-ending Lisfranc injury in Week 3. And now it's time to finally get him the long-term help he deserves.
Evan Neal is all but gone. The tackle-turned-guard hasn’t seen the field this year, and the Giants already declined his fifth-year option. It’s also likely veteran swing tackle Jermaine Eluemunor moves on -- he’ll be looking for a long-term contract that could hit $14 million per year. That makes Utah's Caleb Lomu a fascinating pick here at No. 38.
Lomu's got ideal size and athleticism that screams "perfect fit" on the right side. In his redshirt freshman season, he allowed just two sacks across 425 snaps, indicating a high pass-protection floor. He needs to bulk up a bit and add some strength to dominate the run game, but the Giants get a steal in the 6-foot-6, 308-pound lineman in the early second round.