NFL Draft: Who should the Giants select at No. 5 and 10? Who should they avoid?
From left, Sonny Styles, Jordyn Tyson, Francis Mauigoa and Caleb Downs are prospects that have been linked to the Giants in the 2026 NFL Draft. Credit: Newsday composite; AP
The Giants and coach John Harbaugh start their first draft together Thursday. After trading Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals, they can go in multiple directions with the No. 5 and 10 picks.
Here’s our final predictions of what the Giants should and shouldn’t do in the first round.
Who should the Giants take at No. 5 and why?
In three of Harbaugh’s last four drafts with the Ravens, they took a defensive player with their first pick. Expect the Giants to do the same since their defense needs to improve.
They already addressed some of that this offseason by signing cornerback Greg Newsome and inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. But there’s no reason the Giants can’t double up on those positions in the draft.
If stopping the run is a priority, the Giants needs more linebacker help. That’s where Ohio State’s Sonny Styles comes into play. He’s fast, big (6-5, 244 pounds) and an excellent tackler who’s still learning the position after switching from safety two years ago.
Styles shores up the middle of the field, a liability last season. Pair Styles next to Edmunds and you complete an overhaul of a position that struggled last year. Throw in returning linebacker Micah McFadden and that’s a strong trio to build around.
Styles doesn’t need to lead the position group. But he adds more depth to a weakness last season. That’s why the Giants can’t pass him up at No. 5 if he’s there.
Who shouldn’t the Giants take at No. 5 and why?
Let's make it clear that a four-win team shouldn’t turn down anybody, in theory. The Giants need players, particularly impact ones, so the best available player at No. 5? Take him.
That’s why this is hard to say: If safety Caleb Downs is there at No. 5, the Giants need to pass. It’s not because he’s a questionable prospect. Downs is a two-time All-American and projects to be a playmaker from Day One.
No, it’s simply the Giants don’t need safety help as much as linebacker. They have Tyler Nubin for two more seasons and it’s best to see if he can improve after a rough start to his career. They’re not giving up on Jevon Holland after making him their highest-paid free agent last year.
Taking Downs at No. 5 could be a reach given their other needs. Only two safeties have been drafted at No. 5 since 2000. This isn’t a knock on Downs, it’s more assessing that linebacker is more important with this pick.
Who should the Giants take at No. 10 and why?
Now if Downs is available here, skip the previous advice. Drafting a safety at No. 10 is far more practical. So if that happens, grab Downs and figure out later how to divvy up snaps between him and Nubin.
But if the Giants go defense at No. 5, it makes more sense to go offense at No. 10. Malik Nabers needs a strong No. 2 receiving option. Hello, Jordyn Tyson.
Tyson was productive the last two seasons at Arizona State despite his injury history (collarbone in 2024, hamstring last season). Tyson’s hamstring issues kept him from working out at the Combine but during his private workout this month, general manager Joe Schoen was there and had dinner with him afterward.
If Schoen is comfortable with Tyson’s injury history, it’s a worthy pick. It also doesn’t hurt he’s a former college teammate of running back Cam Skattebo, which helps the locker room vibes.
Who shouldn’t the Giants take at No. 10 and why?
The Giants need help at right guard. They need young linemen especially with left guard Jon Runyan being a free agent after this season.
But they should resist the temptation to draft one at No. 10. Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa was an All-American last season and never missed a game in three seasons. Most scouts project him to a be better fit at guard than tackle.
The problem with Mauigoa is ESPN reported this week that he has a herniated disc in his back that could require surgery. For now, it’s not a significant issue but it’s something a team has to watch as he goes through minicamp and OTAs.
The Giants can’t afford that risk with how much they must fix the interior line. It’s safer to draft a guard in the second round than to do so at No. 10. Despite Mauigoa’s gifts and potential to learn a new position, the Giants should pass and eye a guard with the 37th pick.
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.
