With the Giants (2-10) guaranteed an eighth losing season in nine years, it’s not too soon to start looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft.
Unlike last season, the Giants don’t need to worry about getting the No. 1 pick. They won’t be quarterback hunting thanks to Jaxson Dart. But building around him, Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Abdul Carter is the priority for every move the Giants make this offseason.
That starts in the draft. Receiver should be a top focus with Wan’Dale Robinson an impending free agent. The Giants also need somebody who can take pressure off Nabers, after he recovers from his ACL injury.
Two more key needs are at interior line and cornerback. Right guard Greg Van Roten is 35, plus he and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor will be free agents. As for cornerback, Deonte Banks has yet to pan out through his third season.
Here are five college players they should keep an eye on:
Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
Protecting Dart and clearing lanes for Skattebo and Tracy is imperative for this offense. That’s why Mauigoa makes sense as one of the top linemen in the country.
At 6-6, 315 pounds, he’s listed at right tackle but can play guard. That fits some of the positional versatility the Giants loved about Marcus Mbow last year. Mauigoa has allowed just one sack this season and would be a good fit should Eluemunor explore a bigger payday.
The Giants drafted just one offensive lineman in the last two years and the lack of depth shows. Despite Evan Neal’s disappointing tenure, the Giants shouldn’t be scared to take a lineman in the first round if it means younger building blocks around Dart.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Giants struck gold taking an Arizona State player in this year’s draft with Skattebo. Perhaps Tyson could make that work again?
With Nabers needing a stronger No. 2 option next to him, Tyson fits the bill. Entering last weekend’s action, he has 59 receptions for 689 yards and eight touchdowns this season after posting 1,101 yards in 2024. At 6-2, 200 pounds, Tyson is not tall but his production and tenacity say plenty. The bigger question with him is health. He’s battled hamstring issues this season and had a season-ending collarbone injury last November.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tate is an interesting prospect. He is a first-round talent who spent most of the season as a No. 2 receiver to sophomore Jeremiah Smith, a projected first-round pick in 2027. That means Tate could fit with Nabers and still be a productive target.
Tate, who is 6-3, 195 pounds, has seven touchdowns from 39 receptions and is at 18.2 yards per catch. He has sat out the past three games with an unspecified injury. Ohio State receivers have been a sure bet in the NFL in recent years with Jaxon-Smith Njigba, Garrett Wilson and Marvin Harrison, Jr. Tate could certainly follow that path.
Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
Fano is another large presence (6-6, 308 pounds) with great athleticism and versatility. He played both left and right tackle in college but is also projected as a guard.
He has allowed zero sacks and just four pressures this season, per ESPN. Like Mauigoa, he has great size and would make for an imposing right side of the line with Mbow at tackle.
Whether or not the Giants re-sign Van Roten to another one-year deal, they need a young promising lineman behind him. Fano fits that bill.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Cor’Dale Flott has been great this season at cornerback but as a free agent, he could explore his options and choose to leave. Add Banks’ shortcomings and the Giants need help opposite Paulson Adebo.
McCoy was a second-team AP All-American last season and has ballhawking skills with four interceptions and nine pass breakups. He was named a preseason All-American by several publications.
However, McCoy hasn’t played this season after suffering an ACL injury in January. Would that be too risky for the Giants? Maybe. But is the risk worth it for a cornerback upgrade? Perhaps, especially if McCoy were to have a great showing at the NFL Combine.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.