It’s that time of year, mock draft season.
For the New York Giants, just as we were getting a taste of the philosophy of the personnel and scouting departments under Joe Schoen, they have a new coach in John Harbaugh who has full authority to change how the roster is constructed.
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If the Giants had lost one of their last two games, the top of the 2026 NFL Draft would look a lot different. Due to the way the final weeks of the 2025 regular season play out, the No. 1 pick is up for grabs and could potentially be sold to the highest bidder.
However, that didn’t come to pass, with the Giants finishing the year 2-0 and a team expected to be in the market for their quarterback of the future finishing 1-2.
With three weeks to go until the NFL Scouting Combine, we’re in Indianapolis for the festivities of draft season. The Giants could go in a number of directions at No. 5 overall, and our first Giants-only seven-round mock draft is here:
Round 1, No. 5 pick: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The talented safety can do it all in the backfield, and he’s a legitimate jump-shooting leader. The question isn’t how he fits into middle school; Given Towns’ game-breaking talent, you could draft him and position others around him. We know how well Harbaugh’s defense performs with Kyle Hamilton as a versatile playmaker at safety, and Towns could be that case as well. He can also play the five, providing versatility and impact at multiple positions.
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The Giants have players on the defensive line that Harbaugh said he likes — safeties Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, nickel corner Drew Phillips — but Towns has a chance to be that guy and change the game plan, like Brian Branch did at his best in Detroit. I also like the idea of ​​drafting a wide receiver at the position — Arizona State’s Jordin Tyson goes fourth — and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate will be the popular choice for the Giants, and rightfully so.
Round 2, Pick 37: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
You could argue Rodriguez is the best player in college football and certainly the top non-quarterback. He has excellent off-ball instincts and must overcome questionable size (6-foot-1, 235 pounds), high IQ and the skill to make big plays. The Giants could add youth and playmaking ability in the middle of the field, with Bobby Okereke likely to be a cap hit and Micah McFadden set to become a free agent after returning from injury. McFadden could return on a one-year deal. The off-ball linebackers are a talented group of players in this draft.
Round 4, Pick 105: Jude Bowry, OL, Boston College
Bowery, who is 6-foot-5 and just under 300 pounds, has a lot to improve on in terms of his numbers at the combine. He failed to hold on in a few one-on-one matches in Mobile and was criticized for his approach to speed rushers. That being said, Bowery could be a developmental prospect on either side of the ball. Giants right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is a pending free agent and Marcus Mbow is coming off a solid rookie season, during which he showed promise in limited action.
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Round 5, Pick 143: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
The 6-foot-4, 222-pound Fields had a coming-out party on the practice field before the Senior Bowl, displaying the size and speed that stand out among all playmakers. The Giants will likely add at least one receiver in free agency, with Wan’Dale Robinson a pending free agent. They could go for arms early, but Fields is a potential sleeper.
Round 6, Pick 184: Nick Barrett, DT, South Carolina
Barrett returned to school for another year, which paid off for the 6-foot-3, 315-pounder, who held his own on the interior during Senior Bowl practices. He’s a strong run defender on offense and the Giants may be looking to upgrade again this offseason.
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Round 6, Pick 190: Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon State
Boettcher was another player who had a strong performance at the Senior Bowl and followed it up with a 10-tackle performance in the All-Star Game. A walk-on player at Oregon State, Boettcher also starred for the Ducks baseball team, and the Houston Astros selected him as an outfielder in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft. His athletic ability is off the charts.
Round 6, Pick 191: Dan Villari, TE, Syracuse
Villari began his college career at the University of Michigan as quarterback before switching positions and showing a versatility with the Orange that could set him up for success at the NFL level. He also excelled on special teams, where the Giants could lose Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz in free agency.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Giants mock 2026 draft, full 7 rounds to see what Big Blue can do