Giants left ‘pinching themselves’ with picks 5, 10 in ESPN’s NFL Nation mock draft

The 2026 NFL Draft is just two days away! After a recent trade involving Dexter Lawrence and the Cincinnati Bengals, the Giants have acquired the 10th pick from the Bengals to own two Top 10 picks on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. The latest mock drafts are coming in, and ESPN has released a mock draft involving all the beat writers covering the 32 teams in the league.

Jordan Raanan, who covers the Giants as a beat writer for ESPN, mocked for the 5th and the 10th pick in the NFL Nation’s roundtable mock draft.

5th Pick – Round 1: Jeremiyah Love

“He’s still available? That is what the Giants are thinking if Love is still on the board. Perhaps the top player in this entire draft being there for the fifth pick makes this an opportunity new coach John Harbaugh can’t pass up. The idea of a versatile playmaker who can create mismatches with opposing defenses is enticing. It’s why general manager Joe Schoen recently said Love is more than a running back. He’s an offensive weapon. The Giants need more of those.”

10th Pick – Round 1: Caleb Downs

“This is another one where the Giants are just pinching themselves that Downs is still available. He’s one of the best defensive players and safest prospects in this draft. The Ohio State standout can be the Kyle Hamilton or Ed Reed for Harbaugh. He might not fit the same physical profile as Hamilton (6-foot-4, 220), but there is nothing that Downs (5-11, 206) can’t do well.”

This would be a home run for the Giants if they were able to land both Love and Downs. Both are expected to be stars in the NFL very quickly.

Love could be drafted as early as No. 3 overall by the Arizona Cardinals. However, the Cardinals need a quarterback but are not too inclined to want to take Ty Simpson with that pick. Arizona could be a team to look out for with trades.

If Love does not get selected by the Cardinals or the Tennessee Titans with the 4th pick, expect New York to not let him slide past the 5th pick.

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