The New York Giants found themselves in a favorable position during their bye week, as they now control the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This development comes after the Tennessee Titans defeated the Cleveland Browns, allowing the Giants to move ahead despite losing seven consecutive games.
According to Tankathon, the Giants hold the top pick due to their weaker schedule compared to the Titans and Las Vegas Raiders, who could tie the Giants with a 2-11 record if they lose their game against the Denver Broncos. The Giants” opponents have a composite winning percentage of .538, which is better than that of the Titans and Raiders.
The last time the Giants made the top pick in the NFL Draft was in 1965. In 2018, they selected running back Saquon Barkley second overall.
Last season, the Giants were in contention for a higher pick until a Week 17 victory against the Colts pushed them down to No. 3, where they selected pass-rusher Abdul Carter, missing out on quarterback Cam Ward despite reportedly exploring trade options with the Titans.
If the Giants secure the No. 1 pick, they may not necessarily need to select a quarterback, as Jaxson Dart is already positioned as their franchise player. This situation could spark a bidding war for teams looking to acquire Indiana”s Fernando Mendoza, possibly including the New York Jets.
Looking ahead, the Giants face a more manageable schedule post-bye, with upcoming games against the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, Raiders, and Dallas Cowboys. Dart expressed the importance of closing out the season strong: “Obviously it”s very important for us to finish these next four weeks out strong. We have a lot of guys that are coming back next year, so you want to carry that momentum over.”
