The hard part is finally over, as the New York Giants finally found their next head coach. The process was pretty stressful and dramatic throughout, but the end result is all that matters. John Harbaugh will be coaching the Giants in 2026, which is the best news I've heard about this team in years.
They were always the frontrunners, but the lengths the front office went to seal the deal is what got it done. John Mara and Joe Schoen were willing to jump through every hoop and grant all of his requests, but more importantly, Harbaugh is bringing his winning pedigree with him to New York.
The burning question on many fans' minds has been surrounding the new coaching staff, but I trust that the Super Bowl-winning coach will hire the right guys. What is most interesting is how different this roster looks next season, which starts and ends with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Harbaugh is known for his affinity for drafting the best player available, regardless of positional value, and 2026 should be no different. The Giants have needs all over the roster, but they also have more talent than most think, so they can afford to draft a franchise-altering talent like Ohio State's Caleb Downs.
John Harbaugh could bring his own Kyle Hamilton to New York in Caleb Downs
Back in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Ravens picked 13th overall and Kyle Hamilton was deemed one of the top prospects in the class. However, he slipped down draft boards because of positional value and a slower-than-expected 40 time, but Harbaugh knew the talent was there and ended his draft-day slip.
Since then, Hamilton has developed into a multi-time All-Pro and one of the best safeties in the NFL, and Downs has similar upside. The only defensive prospect in this draft who is more of a sure thing is his star Buckeyes' teammate, Arvell Reese, and there are still some who prefer Downs to Reese.
The 21-year-old won the Jim Thorpe Award this season, which is awarded to the nation's best defensive back, but that usually goes to cornerback prospects. A safety winning the award is rarefied air, as he was the first Power Four safety to receive the Thorpe Award since Grant Delpit.
Downs possesses elite instincts and positional versatility and is a straight-up playmaker, which is exactly what the Giants need on the back end. He can excel in every area of the defense for Big Blue, and may become a special teams ace, so he's a player who would make an immediate impact in NY.
Harbaugh already found one superstar safety at the top of the draft in Hamilton, and with his elite IQ, Downs is arguably an even better prospect. In all honesty, he's a legit Swiss Army knife of a defensive weapon, and a player of his skillset could help transcend the Giants' defense overnight.