2026 New York Giants Mock Draft

The Giants’ 2025 season was a mess, but there was hope. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart played exceptionally well, along with rookie running back Cam Skattebo. Malik Nabers continued his momentum in his second year before a Week Four ACL tear sidelined him.

The Giants’ biggest weakness is their secondary. Injuries to Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo proved the lack of depth. The entire defense struggled under the previous defensive coordinator, Shane Bowen. It ranked 31st in the NFL against the run, allowing 145.3 rushing yards per game.

The lack of wide receiver depth was clear once Nabers went down, and the offense never truly recovered. With those roster holes in mind, this Giants mock draft focuses on improving the secondary early while adding wide receiver depth and strengthening the offensive line.

Round 1, Pick 5: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The most obvious choice for the Giants at fifth overall is Ohio State’s standout safety, Caleb Downs. He’s arguably the best player in this Draft and would be an immediate game-changer for New York’s lackluster secondary.

Downs is a tackling machine, something the Giants sorely need. He hardly misses in open space and racked up 257 combined tackles in three years. He has tremendous body control and possesses the intelligence and awareness of a top-five pick. The only other acceptable option here would be Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.

Downs did not participate on the field at the NFL Combine, but will do so at his pro day workout. Houston Texans standout safety Jalen Pitre is his pro comparison. He’s one of the safest prospects in the entire draft, regardless of where he’s taken.

Round 2, Pick 37: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

It’s unclear if Wan’Dale Robinson will stay in New York, as he’s set to hit free agency. Without him, the Giants’ receiver room consists of Nabers, Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt, and a re-signed Gunner Olszewski. They brought back Isaiah Hodgins mid-season, but it was too little, too late.

Germie Bernard is projected to be an early to mid-second-rounder in this Draft. He caught 64 passes for 862 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, all college career highs. He ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash at the Combine and a total score of 74, ranking 20th among wide receivers.

With the likelihood of New York adding a receiver before the Draft, the WR3 spot would belong to Slayton. Bernard has the potential to become his successor, provided he receives proper development under Harbaugh. His Draft profile lists Robert Woods as his pro comparison.

Round 4, Pick 105: Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech

The Giants finally had success in the offensive line last season, but will certainly be looking to upgrade. Andrew Thomas is a top-three left tackle in the NFL. Jermaine Eleumunor is still in talks for a new contract at right tackle. The guard position is key right now.

Greg Van Roten, Joshua Ezeudu, Aaron Stinnie, and Evan Neal are set to become free agents. I believe New York will find their way back into the third round, but if not, Keylan Rutledge in the fourth would be a win. His pro comp right now is Green Bay Packers guard Sean Rhyan.

Rutledge is 6’4” and 310 pounds. His combine profile describes him as “burly, strong, and exceptionally tough”. New York’s offensive line needs strength in front of Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. The Georgia Tech guard scored a 78 out of 100 at the Combine, ranking third among guards in this Draft.

Round 5, Pick 144: Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana

New York officially released linebacker and captain Bobby Okereke, saving $9 million in cap space. While it’s extremely likely they’ll replace him in free agency (looking at you, Tremaine Edmunds), finding late-flyer depth in the Draft is a good idea.

Aiden Fisher played 51 games in four seasons with James Madison and Indiana. He was a member of the National Championship Hoosier team and had 328 tackles in college.

Fisher’s biggest asset is between his ears. His Draft profile describes him as a team leader, and a player “who can run the defense as an extension of his coordinator”. He recognizes plays early and excels in the run game. His Combine production score was a 78, ranking third among linebackers.

Round 6, Pick 186: Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas

New York currently holds three picks in the sixth round, and none in the seventh. By day three, finding an immediate starter is difficult to do, and the draft strategy is to look for depth pieces.

The Giants’ secondary lacked depth once  Holland and Adebo were injured. Arkansas’s Julian Neal could be the kind of player to call on if something like that were to happen again.

Neal plays strong, tight coverage on receivers, and his 32 ¾” arms give him an advantage at the catch point. He could find himself on the same trajectory as Cor’Dale Flott, a corner who takes time to develop and starts to shine after a season or two. 

Round 6, Pick 192 (from Miami Dolphins): Kobe Baynes, OG, Kansas

Just six picks after doubling down on secondary, the Giants can double down once again, this time at offensive line. With the team losing several guards to free agency, it’s best to load up where it can.

Kobe Baynes is 6’4” and 315 pounds with an 81.5-inch wingspan. He plays well in the run-game and has great hand placement in both that and the pass-game.

Baynes won’t be a day one starter, but if there’s one thing Harbaugh will want, it’s strength in the trenches. The Kansas guard could bring that to East Rutherford.

Round 6, Pick 193: George Gumbs Jr., Edge, Florida

New York has back-to-back picks in the sixth round. They can use their final pick to address a position that doesn’t need immediate help. Abdul Carter and Brian Burns are the clear starters on the edge, but Kayvon Thibodeaux’s future is still up in the air.

George Gumbs had a strong 2024 season, recording five sacks and 35 combined tackles. He followed that up with 2.5 sacks in 2025 but recorded 31 combined tackles. He was a tight end in his first two years with Northern Illinois, so his athleticism shouldn’t be a question.

Gumbs would be a project, but that’s perfect for New York. He likely won’t need to start right away, only finding himself on the field occasionally. His attitude and work ethic have been praised, and he’ll be a sponge under defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.

Gumbs’ Combine production score was a 58, ranking 32nd among edge rushers, but his athleticism score was a 75, ranking eighth. 

End Of My Giants Mock Draft Rant

The NFL Draft is an exciting, unpredictable, and at times, heartbreaking experience. Fans watch with bated breath to see whose name their team will call. The Giants have countless options this year, and Harbaugh has completely shifted the coaching staff, leaving things even more unpredictable. This Giants mock draft could look very different once free agency and pro days wrap up.