The New York Giants‘ coaches and executives have been traveling across the country recently, attending college pro days as the 2026 NFL draft draws near.
General manager Joe Schoen and co-owner Chris Mara were joined by new head coach John Harbaugh in Columbus on Wednesday to get an up-front look at Ohio State’s bumper crop of prospects.
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The trip to Columbus either solidified or convoluted the Giants’ plans regarding the No. 5 overall pick in next month’s draft. There are at least 10 players on the board worthy of the pick and a half-dozen that the Giants have a legitimate shot at landing.
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Dallas Cowboys (home, away)
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Washington Commanders (home, away)
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New York Giants’ 2026 opponents
Philadelphia Eagles (home, away)
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New York Giants’ 2026 opponents
New Orleans Saints (home)
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New York Giants’ 2026 opponents
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What makes things easier is that the Las Vegas Raiders have basically committed to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top pick. The next three selections are held by the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Titans.
Those are three teams with a ton of needs, so there’s no telling who they will target. The Jets and Cardinals are in the market for a quarterback, but there may not be a quarterback worthy of a top 5 pick after Mendoza.
That would mean those teams will dip into the pool of players the Giants are interested in. That pool consists of three elite edge rushers (Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami, and Texas Tech’s David Bailey), a position the Giants are not likely to address in this draft.
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There are two top offensive linemen, Francis Mauigoa of Miami and Utah’s Spencer Fano, but both are listed as tackles. The Giants are more in the market for a guard/center type, and you don’t take a top 5 pick and change their position at the pro level.
The remaining group the Giants are focusing on is actually down to five, led by Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
The other three possibilities are two of Styles’ Buckeye teammates, wide receiver Carnell Tate and safety Caleb Downs, and LSU Cornerback Mansoor Delane.
The draft picture is beginning to take shape. Even if one of the three clubs drafting ahead of them makes a trade, the Giants will get a player who is among the best on the board and can fill a need.
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The way things are trending, Love probably won’t be on the board when the Giants are on the clock. Tennessee appears to be ready to snatch him up. It would continue the recent trend of the Titans beating the Giants to the punch on a player.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Giants have abundance of options at No. 5 overall