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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 01: Head coach Mike Kafka of the New York Giants speaks with his staff during the second quarter of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 01, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
The New York Giants may not have the best odds to remain in the first pick, but they are all but guaranteed to remain in the top five, barring something drastic.
With the G-Men securing their franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart and having a talented defensive line, as well as their cornerstone left tackle in Andrew Thomas, the Giants are in a good spot this offseason. The particular draft spot should not matter too much, as New York will likely take the best player available rather than selecting based on positional need.
Giants Could Take Top Defender or Wide Receiver
The Giants have already invested tons of their resources into accumulating one of the NFL’s most talented defensive lines. New York drafted Kayvon Thibodeaux in 2022, traded for Brian Burns in 2024, and used the third overall pick on Abdul Carter in the 2025 draft. In addition, they extended nose tackle Dexter Lawrence for four years and nearly $90 million in 2023.
Therefore, it would be unusual, but not completely out of left field, for the Giants‘ brass to draft another edge rusher. Miami edge rusher Reuben Bain Jr. is the projected top pick in the 2026 draft class, and if the Giants remain in that spot or land him otherwise, they may opt to select Bain and trade away Thibodeaux, taking advantage of the rookie contract Bain would have.
Some other intriguing options would address the second or third levels of the defense, with Ohio State’s Arvell Reese being among the top linebackers in the class. Reese could be used off the ball and as a blitzer off the edge; his athleticism is off the charts, and he is extremely versatile. With the Giants’ back seven struggling, he could be a game-changer for the entire defense.
Caleb Downs is another intriguing option at safety. Like Reese, he has the ability to make tackles upfield, is freakishly athletic, and is very versatile. If the Giants want to address the back end of the defense, which has often struggled in coverage, Downs would be another player worth considering in the top five.
If New York wants to bolster the offense, it could give Dart a one-two punch at receiver by adding another Ohio State star in Carnell Tate, who has broken out for the Buckeyes this season despite Jeremiah Smith’s presence at the position. Dane Brugler explained his mock draft decision to have the Giants select Tate in a recent mock draft for The Athletic.
“The Buckeyes’ pass catcher is impressively detailed as a route runner, especially on vertical patterns, and his length and focus make him a ball winner at the catch point. Tate would complement Malik Nabers really well and reflect the Giants’ desire to surround their young quarterback, Jaxson Dart, with more help.”
Pairing Tate with Nabers would create a true superstar duo at wide receiver. Dart has thrived with Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson as his best options, and when you include Cam Skattebo, the Giants could have a deadly cast of playmakers next season.
Giants Could Earn Ransom of Picks By Trading Down
If the Giants hold on to the top spot, or even finish in the top three, they will be fielding lots of calls from quarterback-needy teams come the spring. New York was in this position last year, making a trade up to snag Jaxson Dart, but opted to take Abdul Carter first.
This frees up Joe Schoen (assuming he remains as GM) to have the flexibility of trading down and likely still end up with the player of their choice. For example, the mock draft that saw Tate being selected had the Giants trading from second to fourth with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Due to the Dart trade, Big Blue does not have a third-round pick in this year’s draft. They also may receive future first-rounders, as the Bears did from the Panthers in 2023. If New York can add another first-round pick for 2027, it could set the Giants up nicely to take two stars, perhaps one on either side of the ball, to accelerate the rebuild.
Whatever direction the New York Giants want to go in 2026, they will have lots of talented options remaining for them and no dire positional needs to fill. That is why fans should not be as worried as last year, even if the team “slips up” and wins a couple of games to slide them a couple of spots back once again.
Arnav Sarkar Arnav Sarkar is a sportswriter and reporter covering college football, the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles for Heavy Sports. A proud graduate of Rutgers University, he also currently writes for On The Banks, where he covers everything Scarlet Knights sports, with a main focus on Rutgers football and both men’s and women’s basketball. More about Arnav Sarkar
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