Pick for No. 5: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Analysis: “If things fall this way, the Giants will have a tough call to make on three Ohio State prospects. I could see Carnell Tate as the team’s No. 2 receiver opposite Malik Nabers. I could certainly see Sonny Styles quarterbacking the defense from the middle linebacker spot. But I keep coming back to what Downs could do from the back end of this secondary. Next to Jevon Holland, his incredible instincts would pop in this defense. Downs would be the first safety taken in the top five since Eric Berry went to the Chiefs in 2010, and he’d be worth it.”
Pick for No. 10: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Analysis: “Well, that shook things up. The Giants traded defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Bengals on Saturday night, giving New York another pick in the top 10. And after going defense at No. 5, the Giants would be happy to see the class’ top offensive tackle still on the board here. They brought back Jermaine Eluemunor, but adding Mauigoa would take this unit to the next level. Plus, they could even kick Mauigoa inside, where I think he has a Pro Bowl ceiling. Mauigoa has started 42 games in college, he’s a sound pass protector, and he’d open some rushing lanes for Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr.”
Pick for No. 5: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Analysis: “John Harbaugh teams have historically had a commanding presence at middle linebacker. There hasn’t been an off-ball linebacker drafted in the top five since 2019 (Devin White), but Styles is a rare linebacker prospect in a draft class that lacks true high-end options at high-leverage positions. Styles’ size, instincts, movement ability and continued development make him an ideal fit in the middle of the Giants’ defense.”
Pick for No. 10: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Analysis: “The Giants added another top-10 pick over the weekend in the Dexter Lawrence II trade, and they can use it to keep addressing the defense. It has been nearly a decade since a safety was picked in the top 10 (Jamal Adams, 2017), but Downs is fully worthy of breaking that streak. He is one of the smartest football players I’ve ever studied, and he has the versatility and sure tackling skills to complement that intelligence. He trusts his coverage instincts, allowing him to routinely make plays against the pass and in run support. Downs would be a perfect addition to John Harbaugh’s defense.”
Pick for No. 5: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Analysis: “Francis Mauigoa is a three-year starter at right tackle who has developed under one of the country’s top offensive line coaches in Alex Mirabal. He has remained injury-free and logged more than 2,500 snaps at Miami. Mauigoa plays with high-end power at the point of attack in the run game, showing strong leverage and technique while excelling as a puller who reaches the second level. He’s technically sound in pass protection, with good instincts and footwork, plus the ability to mirror and anchor against power.”
Pick for No. 10: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Analysis: “Joe Schoen was one of two GMs at Tyson’s individual pro day on Friday, and what he saw was good enough for him to trade Dexter Lawrence for the 10th overall pick.”
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic
Pick for No. 5: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Analysis: “To be frank: The Giants hit the jackpot with this trade. New York was already in a great position to add talent to an already intriguing young roster before Harbaugh’s first season. Now, the Giants can add two premium talents to a hungry group. Love’s presence as a true three-down weapon with legit receiving ability is perfect for Harbaugh-ball. And if New York is hell-bent on landing Styles, it now has the capital to make sure that happens. This should be an exciting draft for Giants fans.”
Pick for No. 10: Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State
Analysis: “We’ve been running through 2025 mocks for four months now and the two players I’ve been torn about slotting to New York at No. 5 were Love and Downs. Two of my favorite X-factors in this draft, two players who can enter an NFL locker room and make an impact on Day 1. Thanks to the Bengals, the Giants now get both.”
Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network
Pick for No. 5: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Analysis: “The Giants have invested heavily in the front seven of this defense and still have a lingering contract dispute with Dexter Lawrence. But their secondary needs some help to help elevate the results of this entire defense. With the No. 5 pick, the Giants go with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Downs is a three-level impact player that should remind fans of a Xavier McKinney-style player who is aggressive, fast, and physical at the defensive back position.”
Pick for No. 10: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Analysis: “The Giants now have two first-round picks inside the Top 10. This allows them to address another critical part of their team, and that’s the OL. In this spot, the Giants draft Miami OT Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa can play OT or OG for the Giants and help solidify a group that has had its ups and downs.”
Nate Davis and Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY
Pick for No. 5: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Analysis: “The Giants are locked and loaded with two of the top 10 selections in this year’s draft after trading star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals. Now they wield 16 minutes’ worth of picks Thursday night, opening up all kinds of possibilities to attack their roster. Downs would be the highest selected safety in over a decade. His game, a steadiness he brings every play from some part of the center of the defense, would help solidify the back end of a Giants unit that has yielded big play after big play over the past few seasons.”
Pick for No. 10: Keldric Faulk, DL/Edge, Auburn
Analysis: “Out goes Dexter Lawrence, in comes Faulk. He is a monster against the run and has a ton of upside to grow as a player who doesn’t turn 21 until September. He’s raw as a pass rusher, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. His role in Auburn’s defense didn’t allow for many clean pass rushing reps, so he’s a bit of a blank slate there. He’s right at the “tweener” range now, but his ability to stand strong against the run and eat double teams is rare for someone with his frame. He probably has the best run defending tape in the class.”
Pick for No. 5: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Analysis: “Styles would be a monster playing behind the Giants’ dynamic front line.”
Pick for No. 5: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Analysis: “New coach John Harbaugh referred to the offensive line as a “work in progress” at the league meetings. That’s not what you want in front of a franchise quarterback who has shown a tendency to use his legs. But Jaxson Dart would love Mauigoa, a road paver with positional versatility. Mauigoa is expected to be the first offensive lineman off the board.”
Pick for No. 5: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Analysis: “Over John Harbaugh’s 18 years as head coach in Baltimore, the Ravens drafted nine positions in Round 1, including safety (three times). Though using a top-five pick for that position is uncommon, Downs has rare football intelligence and (despite not testing in any drills) is above the line in terms of on-field athleticism.”
Pick for No. 5: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Analysis: “I went back and forth between Ohio State teammates Styles and Caleb Downs here, as both make sense to me. Styles is the more physically gifted of the two and could be a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate at Will linebacker.”
Pick for No. 5: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Analysis: “Pairing Styles with free-agent signing Tremaine Edmunds behind a salty front that features Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux would give the Giants a rock-solid foundation for a potential top-five defense.”
Pick for No. 5: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Analysis: “The Giants, who have just two top-100 selections, pair Tate with Malik Nabers to give Jaxson Dart a formidable duo to grow with in the passing game.”
Pick for No. 5: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Analysis: “Having coached Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore, Harbaugh knows the value of a versatile, smart safety prospect. That describes Downs, who started immediately at Alabama as a freshman and for two seasons at Ohio State.”
Pick for No. 5: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Analysis: “Downs has been a dominant force longer than any other defender in this class. The former Alabama and Ohio State All-American is a shapeshifter, deploying down in the box against the run or patrolling the back end with excellent coverage range.”
Todd McShay, The McShay Report
Pick for No. 5: Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
Analysis: “I went back and forth between Mauigoa and LB Sonny Styles. John Harbaugh has a rich history of elite linebackers anchoring his defenses dating back to the Ray Lewis days, but with a young quarterback in Jaxson Dart, improving the offensive line has to be the priority.”
Pick for No. 5: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Analysis: “He is the type of player John Harbaugh loves in the middle of his defense. He has the speed to chase down plays behind a good defensive line. It fits.”
Pick for No. 5: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Analysis: “What helps young quarterbacks? Explosive players making explosive plays. You’re welcome, Jaxson Dart.”
Jaime Eisner, The Draft Network
Pick for No. 5: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Analysis: “Positional value be damned, Caleb Downs would be a perfect fit for the New York Giants here. Downs is an incredibly instinctive player who can thrive anywhere on the field. Downs also brings the kind of leadership and football IQ that should earn him a captain’s role sooner rather than later, making him a foundational piece for this Giants defense. New head coach John Harbaugh saw firsthand the impact a hybrid defensive back like Kyle Hamilton had on his defense in Baltimore, and Downs has the potential to provide that same type of influence in New York.”
Pick for No. 5: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Analysis: “The Giants already added free agent Tremaine Edmunds as an immediate solution for the middle of their second level, but Styles’ talent and freakish athletic profile are simply too strong to pass up in favor of addressing a need elsewhere on the roster.”
Pick for No. 5: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Analysis: “The Giants have loaded up on some Freaks List honorees in recent years and Styles is about as freaky as they come. The fit here makes a lot of sense with the Giants’ talent up front and Styles’ ability to roam the field as a former safety. At 6-5, 244 pounds, with almost 33-inch arms, he ran a 4.46 40 in Indianapolis and his jump numbers were even more impressive — 11-2 in the broad jump and 43 1/2 in the vertical. He started 41 games for the Buckeyes and was a co-captain. He also received the program’s Block “O” award, honoring his toughness, accountability and character. He made 82 tackles and 6.5 TFLs on a star-studded defense in 2025.”
Pick for No. 5: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Analysis: “Ohio State lost the Big Ten Championship Game to Indiana, but Styles was the best defensive player on the field. Seemed like he made every tackle. Throw in his wildly impressive combine performance and it’s clear that Styles isn’t any ordinary off-ball linebacker — he’s a defensive cornerstone with impact play production.”