A year ago, the New York Giants had the third-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with a huge need for a franchise quarterback. While adding more pass rush and front seven help was not a big need, the Giants selected Abdul Carter with the third-overall pick in the draft. Carter was at the top of their board, and they were able to move back into the first round to land quarterback Jaxson Dart. A similar approach could play out this year for New York, with them taking one of the best talents in the draft rather than reaching for need. In speaking with sources, the prospects the Giants currently like the most for the fifth-overall pick are Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. That trio is among the top talents in the 2026 NFL Draft regardless of position.
All three of those players play positions that are not huge needs for New York. Reese is a linebacker and edge rusher, but New York already has a trio of edge rush talents in Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. At safety, they signed Jevon Holland in free agency last year and drafted Tyler Nubin in the second round two years ago. And at running back, they saw some positive play from Cam Skattebo before he was injured during his rookie season.
Right tackle and offensive line help to protect Dart is a big need for New York. Entering the combine, it didn’t sound like they were in love with or held any of the tackle prospects in as high a regard as Reese, Downs, and Love. However, that could change during the course of the draft process as Utah’s Spencer Fano or Alabama’s Kayden Proctor could rise if they work out well. Fano had some inconsistent tape and also is not big and lacks length, but teams think he could become a solid starter. Proctor has a good skill set, but has had issues with his weight.
To follow last year’s pattern, New York could target a tackle in the second round or move back into the first round. Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor, Georgia’s Monroe Freeling, and Clemson’s Blake Miller are second-round options that could be nice values for the Giants at pick 27. In my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, I have the Giants taking one of those top values in Reese, Downs, or Love and one of these tackles in round two. In speaking with team sources, the Giants could follow this strategy again in the 2026 NFL Draft.
