Giants predicted to make huge move in early stages of 2026 NFL Draft

Giants predicted to make huge move in early stages of 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Giants hold the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the team will have several different avenues to consider with that choice.

General manager Joe Schoen is putting together a roster that will fit with what new head coach John Harbaugh is looking to accomplish with this team. Though the Giants have only won a total of 13 games in the last three seasons, Harbaugh will be looking to win quickly.

The biggest decision he will face early on is what to do with that first-round pick. Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report recently put out 10 predictions for the upcoming draft and he believes that the Giants will trade that pick. Here was his analysis:

“The New York Giants’ initial pick can be where the entire draft turns, because they should move out of this year’s top five and add extra draft assets.

Currently, the Giants own seven selections, but four of those aren’t until the 145th slot or later. New York doesn’t even own a third-round pick thanks to last year’s deal with the Houston Texans, so it could trade up and choose quarterback Jaxson Dart.

General manager Joe Schoen has done a good job reshaping the roster in John Harbaugh’s image.

The Giants brought in tight end Isaiah Likely and fullback Patrick Ricard, who previously played for Harbaugh as part of the Baltimore Ravens. Defensively, New York added linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and cornerback Greg Newsome II. There is no screaming need for the Giants once they’re on the clock with the fifth pick.

Of course, the team could add another wide receiver or add an elite talent like Jeremiyah Love or Caleb Downs. Instead, the Giants should look to add more picks early in the process to improve the roster’s overall depth.

What’s interesting about New York’s current setup is it sits one pick ahead of the Cleveland Browns, who desperately need a new left tackle. The Los Angeles Rams or possibly even the Detroit Lions could be in play depending on how far the Giants are willing to drop.

Maybe a potential trade partner sees the Browns as an obstacle from getting the top wide receiver prospect since Cleveland has a significant need there as well. The New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins all need a new weapon in the passing game and may prefer to have their choice of prospects.

Either way, the Giants are positioned well to be the inflection point of this year’s top-10 selections.”

Will Giants trade their first-round pick?

There are some strong points made there and if there is a chance for the team to stockpile extra picks, it’s hard to argue that decision. That said, one of Sobleski’s predictions talks about how Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love will be selected within the top five picks. If he is still on the board at No. 5, the Giants cannot pass on him.

After making the difficult decision to allow Saquon Barkley to leave in free agency, and then watching him not only sign with their biggest rival, but win the Super Bowl with them, the Giants could add the next generational running back.

Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy provide great options for the team at the position, but adding Love to that group would get the team a ferocious backfield.

Both the Arizona Cardinals and No. 3 and the Tennessee Titans at No. 4 could also be in the mix to draft Love and if one of those teams does, then you can make a great case for the Giants to move out of No. 5. But if Love slips past those two teams, he needs to be the choice made by Schoen and Harbaugh.

Giants predicted to make huge move in early stages of 2026 NFL Draft

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