The New York Giants are in a unique position as they prepare for the upcoming draft, sitting within the top five picks without pressing needs at quarterback, offensive tackle, or edge rusher. While selecting a receiver would be a reasonable choice, this mock draft focuses on enhancing the secondary with a potentially game-changing player.
This draft sees the Giants selecting Caleb Downs, a standout safety from Ohio State, with their third overall pick. Downs has had an impressive season, allowing only 134 total yards and registering a passer rating of just 50.8 against him when quarterbacks target his coverage. His ability to impact the game at multiple levels of the defense makes him an invaluable addition.
Expanding the Secondary with Colton Hood
In the second round, at pick 35, the Giants will continue to strengthen their defense by drafting Colton Hood, a cornerback from Tennessee. Hood has enjoyed a breakout season, limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 50.0% completion rate, while also recording one interception, eight forced incompletions, and allowing only one touchdown.
Adding Playmakers with Malachi Fields
The Giants will look to bolster their receiving corps in the fourth round by selecting Malachi Fields from Notre Dame. At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Fields brings size and skill to the field. Since Notre Dame”s Week 9 bye, he has caught 13 passes on 18 targets for 248 yards and three touchdowns. His performance includes securing six of eight contested targets, averaging a depth of target of 17.5 yards.
Enhancing the Offensive Line
In the fifth round, the Giants will target offensive line depth by drafting Keylan Rutledge from Georgia Tech. Rutledge”s performance this season suggests he has the potential to develop into a reliable interior lineman. With 300 pass-blocking snaps, he has allowed only one sack and three total pressures, complemented by a solid 76.3 run-blocking grade.
Strengthening the Linebacker Position
Finally, in the sixth round, the Giants will add Sammy Omisigho from Oklahoma to enhance their linebacker unit. Omisigho has been exceptional in run defense, going the entire season without missing a tackle and allowing just 116 total yards in coverage, while not surrendering a touchdown.
As the Giants look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, these selections aim to build a roster capable of competing at the highest level, focusing on strengthening their secondary and adding playmakers on both sides of the ball.
