Giants' draft targets: 10 players to watch in the College Football Playoff

While the Giants wait to see where they end up picking in the first round, fans can keep their eyes on potential targets during the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

There’s three games on Thursday and many of those prospects will be playing. Of course, the main target is Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Heisman Trophy winner could likely be the No. 1 overall pick.

Whether the Giants get that pick or not, they don’t need a quarterback. So while Mendoza and Oregon quarterback Dante Moore will be fun to watch, they’re not worth scouting for a 2026 roster spot.

That said, here’s 10 players Giants fans should watch to start the new year.

WR Germie Bernard (Alabama)

Receiver is a top priority for the Giants and Bernard is one of the best prospects in the draft. The senior has 802 receiving yards, nine total touchdowns and has been used as a downfield option or a runner out of the backfield. That might help the Giants looking for a speedy, versatile option in case Wan’Dale Robinson leaves in free agency

OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)

Proctor is a consensus All-American and a massive presence at 6-foot-7, 360 pounds. If Jermaine Eluemunor leaves in free agency, there’s a hole at right tackle. Rookie Marcus Mbow could slide in but the Giants still need depth behind him. Proctor’s a candidate yet comes with questions about consistency. That sounds like Evan Neal 2.0 so while Proctor is worth watching, he’ll be scrutinized closely.

WR Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana)

Cooper was the top target for Indiana’s potent offense and a key reason quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy. He had 58 catches for 804 yards and 11 touchdowns and has a knack for making big plays. The Giants need receivers who can fit in as a strong No.2 next to Malik Nabers and Cooper, who has yet to declare for the draft, could be a target.

CB Daylen Everette (Georgia)

If Cor’Dale Flott leaves as a free agent, the Giants need depth at cornerback. Deonte Banks certainly won’t regain his starting job. Everette has 21 pass breakups and five interceptions over his career and Georgia has a knack for producing great defensive players (see the Eagles). ESPN has him with a third-round grade.

WR Zachariah Branch (Georgia)

Branch has electric speed. He was an All-American kick returner as a freshman two years ago at USC and now is Georgia’s leading receiver (73 receiving, 744 yards, five touchdowns). If the Giants need a replacement for Wan’Dale Robinson or more depth in the return game, Branch is a suitable option.

LB Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)

The Giants’ inside linebacking corps was disappointing this season, mostly due to injuries, and they need more speed/depth. Rodriguez was the cornerstone of one of the nation’s top defenses and a unanimous All-American. ESPN has him with a second-round grade and he’s produced big numbers this season with 144 tackles, seven forced fumbles and four interceptions.

LB Suntarine Perkins (Ole Miss)

Perkins is another underclassmen who’s yet to officially declare for the draft. He had 10 1/2 sacks in 2024 but only two this season. Perkins still had 68 tackles with two forced fumbles and an interception and the Giants need playmakers to balance their depth of edge rushers. It also wouldn’t hurt adding a former teammate of Jaxson Dart’s in the locker room.

G Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon)

The Giants squeezed every bit of value from guard Greg Van Roten, who enters Sunday playing every offensive snap the last two years. But the Long Island native turns 36 in February and the Giants should get younger up front. Pregnon, a first team Associated Press All-American, could be a worthy replacement.

DT Christen Miller (Georgia)

The Giants have a plethora of edge rushers but given how poor their run defense was, there’s no shame in adding more depth at defensive tackles around Dexter Lawrence. With Rakeem Nunez-Roches a free agent, Miller could slide in for more depth behind Lawrence, Darius Alexander and Roy Robertson-Harris.

CB D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana)

Ponds is a two-time All-Big Ten selection with four interceptions over the last two seasons. He also was a Sporting News All-American this season. The Giants need to shore up their secondary so Ponds is worth considering given how well Indiana’s secondary has been for the nation’s No. 1 team.