Bryan Armetta previews and breaks down everything you need to know about the New York Giants heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
What a busy offseason it’s been in New York. The Giants made waves with the biggest hire of the coaching carousel, signing John Harbaugh. Following a rocky end to his 18-year Ravens tenure, the Super Bowl champion decided to make a move to the NFC East. Now, he’ll attempt to mold a rebuilding Big Blue squad into perennial contenders.
Successful roster building means bringing aboard high-impact players during the NFL Draft. Despite some talented youngsters, the Giants have some notable issues in terms of personnel. That now includes defensive tackle, a position that will now be without Dexter Lawrence. After failing to come to terms on a contract extension, New York shipped the two-time All-Pro to Cincinnati. In return, NYG got back the tenth overall selection in the 2026 draft. Combined with pick #5, the G-Men can add quite the influx of talent this weekend.
Equipped with premium assets, the Giants can go in any number of directions during the NFL Draft. Let’s break it down before the clock starts on Thursday.
Unlike in years past, New York had a respectable scoring attack. Led by rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, the Giants ranked 13th in total yardage (5,669). However, there’s still uncertainty on that side of the ball. Wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) and running back Cam Skattebo (ankle) are both coming off of season-ending injures.
If the team chooses to add a pass catcher, Jordyn Tyson (+400) makes sense with the tenth overall pick. However, the big-bodied wideout has dealt with numerous injuries of his own. In the backfield, Jeremiyah Love (+750) has been the target of frequent rumors. There’s no doubt that Harbaugh would love to add an explosive rusher. With that being said, the Notre Dame product could be off the board by pick number five. In addition, grabbing an RB early for a roster filled with holes is questionable, at best. Perhaps an offensive lineman makes sense at ten, such as Olaivavega Ioane (+500) or Francis Mauigoa (+600).
With that being said, this defense needed an overhaul prior to Dexter Lawrence’s departure. Now that the big man is gone, this might be the worst unit in football. Keep in mind, the Giants surrendered an NFL-worst 5.3 yards per rush last season. A rangy, physical tackler such as Ohio State’s Sonny Styles (+165) makes for a perfect positional fit. However, much like running back, inside linebacker isn’t taken early very often. Ditto for safety, where Styles’ teammate Caleb Downs makes sense at five (+380) and ten (+290).
Grabbing at least one of the two Buckeyes feels like a foregone conclusion for New York. However, there’s a decent chance Downs will be available with the team’s second pick of the first round. At a certain point, positional value becomes overrated. Building a defense with smart, experienced players at multiple levels could transform this franchise overnight.
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