The Giants know how important the upcoming draft is when it comes to getting the John Harbaugh Era started off right. The Dexter Lawrence trade officially puts them in position to do just that.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOhio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAdam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n
The New York Giants are now major players heading into the 2026 NFL Draft thanks to Saturday evening\u2019s Dexter Lawrence trade<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s because the Giants have not one, but two picks in the top-10 of the draft after coming to an agreement<\/a> with the Cincinnati Bengals. Sitting pretty at Nos. 5 and 10 allows the Giants to stockpile some of the draft\u2019s top talent at multiple positions. It\u2019s something desperately needed for the fresh start under John Harbaugh. <\/p>\n Below is the list of Giants draft picks<\/a> following the Dexter Lawrence trade:<\/p>\n Round 1, No. 5 overall<\/p>\n Round 1, No. 10 overall<\/p>\n Round 2, No. 37 overall<\/p>\n Round 4, No. 105 overall<\/p>\n Round 5, No. 146 overall<\/p>\n Round 6, No. 186 overall<\/p>\n Round 6, No. 192 overall<\/p>\n Round 6, No. 193 overall<\/p>\n All of a sudden, that missing third-rounder is no longer a talking point. Regardless, let\u2019s dive into our final Giants mock draft now that the Dexter Lawrence trade is on the books.<\/p>\n New York Giants\u2019 final 2026 mock draft after the Dexter Lawrence trade<\/p>\n Round 1, No. 5 overall: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State<\/p>\n Man, the Giants have really set themselves up for success in the draft after the Dexter Lawrence trade.<\/p>\n That\u2019s because there will plenty of players still on the board that make sense at five, but should also be there at 10. In this instance, we know safety doesn\u2019t top the list of premium positions. Regardless, Downs transcends that conversation and with the top-3 receivers, top cornerbacks, and top guard still on the board, this went from a tough pick to a no-brainer after some thought. <\/p>\n Tyler Nubin and Jevon Holland are the incumbents at safety for the Giants, but both players have yet to show the on-field consistency or impact that would convince New York to pass on Downs. <\/p>\n The former Buckeye immediately improves the safety room and also gives the Giants a long-term foundational piece on defense. Downs\u2019 abilities to work in the box or in centerfield and in any coverage make him a chess piece that\u2019s perfect for Dennard Wilson\u2019s system. No one is saying he\u2019s the next Kyle Hamilton, but he can be used as such, which is obviously a major asset to have on a football team.<\/p>\n Downs is one of the draft\u2019s safest bets and it\u2019s highly unlikely he\u2019d be there at No. 10. In any other draft, No. 5 might be a bit too high, but it works in 2026 and that\u2019s all that matters.<\/p>\n Top players left at 5:\u00a0Notre Dame Fighting Irish RB Jeremiyah Love, Penn State Nittany Lions G Olaivavega Ioane, LSU Tigers CB Mansoor Delane, Arizona State Wildcats WR Jordan Tyson, Ohio State Buckeyes WR Carnell Tate<\/p>\n Round 1, No. 10 overall: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State<\/p>\n The Giants stay in the Big Ten with their second pick of the first round and this time it\u2019s Ioane. He\u2019s the top guard in the draft and once again, one of the safest picks. Now, the Giants have two bonafide impact rookies and long-term starters at important positions thanks to the Dexter Lawrence trade.<\/p>\n Granted, I did pass up on Jeremiyah Love, who was still there, somehow, at 10. The logic behind that decision was this: Love is a great player, but he\u2019s not going to do squat if the offensive line can\u2019t open up holes.<\/p>\n Enter Ioane, who is an absolute mauler in the run game and provides solid pass protection with room to grow. He\u2019s a boon for Matt Nagy\u2019s more gap-style rushing attack and should continue moving bodies at the NFL level. <\/p>\n There\u2019s a very good chance the board falls like this on Thursday and it\u2019ll be an absolute win for the Giants if it does.<\/p>\n Top players left at 10:\u00a0Notre Dame Fighting Irish RB Jeremiyah Love, Tennessee Volunteers CB Jermod McCoy, Oregon Ducks TE Kenyon Sadiq, Arizona State Wildcats WR Jordan Tyson, USC Trojans WR Makai Lemon<\/p>\n Round 2, No. 37 overall: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State<\/p>\n Personally, I think Chris Johnson is the best cornerback in this class and a future Pro Bowler. Landing him, along with the previous two picks, gives the Giants three potential Pro Bowlers in this scenario.<\/p>\n There\u2019s not a lot Johnson can\u2019t do. He can play both inside and outside and in zone coverage or press-man. He\u2019s a big, long, fluid corner who has great technique and plays with good discipline. Johnson would immediately come in and compete with Greg Newsome on the outside and possibly even Dru Phillips on the inside.<\/p>\n Johnson\u2019s biggest issues are covering speed and challenging bigger receivers at the catch point on most occasions. Still, the ceiling is sky-high and Wilson should find a path for Johnson to thrive in New York.<\/p>\n Top players left at 37:\u00a0Louisville WR Chris Bell, Tennessee Volunteers CB Colton Hood, Alabama Crimson Tide DL Christen Miller, Texas Tech Red Raiders DL Lee Hunter, Indiana Hoosiers CB D\u2019Angelo Ponds<\/p>\n Round 4, No. 105 overall: Justin Joly, TE, North Carolina State<\/p>\n Ideally, a true X receiver would\u2019ve been the pick, here, but the only available player that fit the bill was De\u2019Zhaun Stribling and 105 was too high for him.<\/p>\n Therefore, snagging an explosive \u201cmove\u201d tight end in Joly was the next best option. He\u2019s a nice complement to Isaiah Likely and gives the Giants two athletic, versatile tight ends who can create mismatches against opposing defenses.<\/p>\n If Joly can improve his route running, he could quickly become one of the more underrated picks of both the Giants\u2019 draft and the draft as a whole.<\/p>\n Top players left at 105:\u00a0Stanford Cardinal TE Sam Roush, Florida State Seminoles DL Darrell Jackson Jr., Texas A&M Aggies DL Tyler Onyedim, Missouri Tigers DL Chris McClellan, Ole Miss Rebels WR De\u2019Zhaun Stribling<\/p>\n Rounds 5-7<\/p>\n Round 5, No. 146 overall: Chris McClellan, DL, Missouri Tigers<\/p>\n Many are wondering if the Giants\u2019 draft class will include a potential Dexter Lawrence replacement after the trade. McClellan won\u2019t become the superstar Lawrence was, but he has the size and ability to help ease the loss. He has the size and strength at 6-foot-4, 323 pounds, plus extremely heavy and violent hands to warrant a rotational role, at minimum, in the early goings.<\/p>\n Round 5, No. 186 overall:\u00a0Barion Brown, WR, LSU<\/p>\n Brown is an absolute blazer, running a 4.28 forty during the offseason. He could immediately factor into the Giants\u2019 return game, where he was an All-SEC specialist in 2025.<\/p>\n Round 6, No. 192 overall:\u00a0Mikail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana <\/p>\n Kamara earned the CFP championship defensive MVP award thanks to a blocked punt and four total tackles and his overall body of work reflects a high-motor, explosive pass rusher whose best work will come through subpackages in the NFL. There\u2019s a lot to work on, but the upside is there.<\/p>\n Round 6, No. 193 overall: CJ Daniels, WR, Miami<\/p>\n There\u2019s nothing \u201cspecial\u201d about Daniels, but his overall skillset and production warrants a draft pick, especially later on. He\u2019s more of a \u201cbig slot\u201d possession receiver, but the Giants could definitely use a receiver of his caliber.<\/p>\n Final grade for Giants mock draft after Dexter Lawrence trade<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2025-11-16T023326Z_1940144207_MT1USATODAY27600571_RTRMADP_3_OHIO-STATE-BUCKEYES-DEFENSIVE-BACK-CALEB.jpeg\")
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates a tackle with defensive end Caden Curry (92) and safety Jaylen McClain (18) during the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Adam Cairns\/Columbus Dispatch \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2025-01-02T182032Z_61248606_MT1USATODAY25099780_RTRMADP_3_NCAA-FOOTBALL-FIESTA-BOWL-PENN-STATE-AT-BO.jpeg\")
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane (71) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2023-08-27T010818Z_840474637_MT1USATODAY21284616_RTRMADP_3_NCAA-FOOTBALL-OHIO-AT-SAN-DIEGO-STATE-102.jpeg\")
Aug 26, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs cornerback Chris Johnson (21) celebrates after a stop against the Ohio Bobcats during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/USATSI_27418651-1024x741.jpg\")
Oct 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (7) catches the ball for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesCharles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
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