Giants 2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup with pre-draft cycle ending

The New York Giants should be optimistic about the 2026 season. New York hired John Harbaugh at head coach, a move that should usher in a new era of prosperity for the organization. The Giants added some pieces via NFL free agency, including familiar faces like Patrick Ricard and Isaiah Likely from the Ravens.

New York still doesn’t feel like Harbaugh’s team just yet, at least when looking at the depth chart. But Harbaugh can stamp his identity on his new team during the 2026 NFL Draft.

But which prospects could the Giants select with the fifth overall pick? And will Harbaugh prioritize offense or defense with the first pick of his new regime?

These are a few of the players who national analysts are mocking to New York before the draft.

RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports

Pretty much every team at the top of the draft is in the running to land Love.

The Notre Dame running back has legitimate superstar potential. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein even gave him a pro comparison to Jahmyr Gibbs, which shows how high evaluators are on him.

But do the Giants need a player like Love if they already have Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr.?

Remember, Skattebo’s rookie season was derailed by brutal injuries. It is too early to say his career is in doubt, but New York would be wise to have concerns about his longevity. Especially considering his aggressive running style.

Ultimately, Love is a good enough prospect that the Giants should take him if he’s available. But at this point, it would be shocking if the Titans passed on him at fourth overall.

T Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Peter Schrager, ESPN

Protecting Jaxson Dart has to be a priority for the Giants moving forward. New York already has some nice pieces on the offensive line, but they could use even more.

Schrager cited Harbaugh’s recent comments about New York’s o-line as the rationale for picking Mauigoa at fifth overall.

“New coach John Harbaugh referred to the offensive line as a ‘work in progress’ at the league meetings,” Schrager wrote. “That’s not what you want in front of a franchise quarterback who has shown a tendency to use his legs. But Jaxson Dart would love Mauigoa, a road paver with positional versatility. Mauigoa is expected to be the first offensive lineman off the board.”

Mauigoa projects as an immediate start at right tackle or at guard. Either way, the Giants would be thrilled to add Mauigoa to their offensive line.

LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Tim Crean, ClutchPoints; JP Acosta, CBS Sports; Rhett Lewis, NFL.com; Nick Shook, NFL.com

Styles is the most popular pick to the Giants by a huge margin.

The Ohio State linebacker is arguably the best prospect in the entire draft. Styles has legitimately elite upside and is only 21 years old. If he reaches his full potential, he could become the focal point of New York’s defense for the next decade or more.

“New Giants coach John Harbaugh has never really cared about positional value, and Styles’ potential to be a lynchpin at MIKE makes him enticing here at No. 5,” Acosta argued. “Pairing him with Tremaine Edmunds could give the Giants the tallest inside linebacker duo I’ve ever seen.”

The Giants already have a great platoon of edge rushers on their defensive line. Adding a unique prospect like Styles on the second level would free them up to play even more aggressively.

There’s a reason why most analysts view the floor for Styles as being the fifth overall pick. New York would be foolish to pass on him.

S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Daire Carragher, PFF

Downs is one prospect who Giants fans should not forget about.

Acosta argued above that Harbaugh will not draft according to positional value. But Carragher argued that Downs’ leadership abilities and football IQ could end up making him the pick.

“Choosing between Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles is a difficult decision for the Giants at this spot, as both offer high-end impact in different ways,” Carragher wrote. “Previously in these kinds of situations, the Giants have typically sided with the more athletic prospect, which is clearly Styles, but it’s a new era with John Harbaugh in town. Harbaugh will admire Downs’ football intelligence and the natural leadership he exuded during his final college football season.”

If the Giants did pick Downs, they would have an incredible safety rotation between him, Jevon Holland, and Tyler Nubin.

Three-safety looks might become the new norm for the Giants in this scenario.

The post Giants 2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup with pre-draft cycle ending appeared first on ClutchPoints.