The New York Giants are ready for the 2026 NFL Draft. New York has already improved a lot this offseason, adding multiple playmakers during NFL free agency. Now head coach John Harbaugh has the chance to really put his stamp on the roster in the draft. One national analyst has the Giants landing an excellent Ohio State player in the first round.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. released his final mock draft of the offseason on Wednesday. Kiper debated between three Ohio State prospects when making his pick for the Giants at fifth overall.
He ultimately landed on safety Caleb Downs, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in this year’s draft class.
“If things fall this way, the Giants will have a tough call to make on three Ohio State prospects,” Kiper wrote. “I could see Carnell Tate as the team’s No. 2 receiver opposite Malik Nabers. I could certainly see Sonny Styles quarterbacking the defense from the middle linebacker spot. But I keep coming back to what Downs could do from the back end of this secondary. Next to Jevon Holland, his incredible instincts would pop in this defense. Downs would be the first safety taken in the top five since Eric Berry went to the Chiefs in 2010, and he’d be worth it.”
Downs had an excellent 2025 season for the Buckeyes, logging 68 total tackles, two interceptions, and one pass defensed. He would give New York’s secondary a significant boost in 2026.
Kiper is not the only analyst who thinks New York will pick Downs. In fact, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler also released a new mock draft on Wednesday where the Giants pick Downs at fifth overall.
It will be exciting to see who New York actually picks during the draft next week.
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