The New York Giants won’t be prisoners of positional value in the 2026 NFL Draft, which opens up their first-round path to placing a priority on football production over traits if all things are equal.

Make no mistake, with the No. 5 overall pick, the Giants should not necessarily be selecting for need. That should be a cornerstone pick regardless of position, and head coach John Harbaugh has indicated such in interviews since he got the job.

We already know Harbaugh’s philosophy in team building at times runs counter to positional value. His teams in Baltimore have featured star running backs – most recently Derrick Henry – and game-changing All-Pros at inside linebacker (Ray Lewis, C.J. Mosley and Roquan Smith) and safety (Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton).

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Trade! Dolphins make an offer Big Blue can’t refuse

The Giants send No. 5 overall and their fourth round pick (No. 105) to the Dolphins for No. 11, No. 30 and a 2027 second-round pick. The Dolphins took Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate with the fifth overall pick.

Round 1, Pick 11: Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State

Ioane’s movement skills on the interior are exceptional, and he’s coming off a final season at Penn State where he did not allow a single sack and only gave up four total pressures, good for a 1.3 percent pressure rate. He’s also a force in the run game, both at the point of attack and out in space, using his technique and athleticism to his advantage.

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah referred to Ioane as “a middle-of-the-fairway pick.”

If the Giants want to make a significant statement about their interior o-line, the best move would be to just select the top guard in the class, and by a good margin, whether that is at No. 5 or in a trade down scenario: Ioane.

Round 1, Pick 30: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia (trade)

The 6-foot-3, 321-pound Miller is a disruptive player who has displayed tremendous strength on the interior. He’s an elusive playmaker in a phone booth, flashing surprising short-area quickness that gives opposing offensive lineman fits for a man his size. Miller isn’t a perfect prospect, but teams that like him will see room to grow in his game from his inconsistent pad level and footwork.

The Giants will be looking to fortify their run defense in the value stages of free agency in addition to the draft.

Another trade! Falcons come calling with an extra Day 2 pick

The Giants send their second-round pick (No. 37 overall) to the Atlanta Falcons for their second round pick (No. 48 overall) and their third round pick (No. 79). The Falcons took Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney with the pick they acquired from the Giants.

Round 2, Pick 48: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama (trade)

Bernard is the total package at receiver and is not scheme dependent. At 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds, he ran a 4.48 in the 40, and has enough athleticism to excel after the catch (6.2 yards at Alabama) and can occasionally stretch the field. Bernard plays with a level of physicality that Harbaugh will love. He’s a polished route runner and is exceptionally adept off-script, which makes him quarterback friendly and that ties into Jaxson Dart’s best attribute.

Round 3, Pick 79: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State (trade)

The New Jersey native has 53 career starts with the Buckeyes, possessing legit speed that was on display at the Combine. He’s a true press corner who has the size (6-2, 192) and moxie to handle the top assignments, or at least grow into that role, at the next level. The big challenge for Igbinosun will be to eliminate the grabbiness with which he has played in college in order to avoid having a penalty-filled early career in the pros.

Round 5, Pick 145: Markel Bell, OL, Miami

At 6-foot-9 and 346 pounds, Bell certainly has the frame needed on an island at tackle. He’s improved consistently throughout his career, and the Giants have dug in, meeting with Bell at the Miami Pro Day. Is he exclusively a tackle or is there a world where Harbaugh sees Bell as a potential guard/tackle flex? If his technique, especially his footwork, was more consistent, Bell might be a first-round pick given how solid he is in pass protection.

Round 6, Pick 186: Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan

The 6-foot-2, 238-pound Rolder started 11 games and led the team with 73 tackles, adding 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery. He would add to the Giants’ depth at inside linebacker with a chance to contribute immediately on special teams.

Round 6, Pick 192: Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati

Being able to nab a Corleone in Round 6 is absolute cinema. At 6-foot-1 and 335 pounds, Corleone is a massive presence against the run. He could serve as a top reserve as a rookie and work his way into more meaningful reps over the course of the season.

Round 6, Pick 193: Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami

Thomas was a key piece on a Miami defense that played in the national championship. He has some alignment flexibility, given his ability to play in the box or the deep part of the field. Thomas finished with five interceptions in 2025, along with two forced fumbles and 45 solo tackles, and he’d have the potential of being a special teams talent.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NFL Mock Draft: Two trades for Giants shake up this one. Here’s why