As the NFL moves past the 2025 season and Super Bowl LX, attention shifts toward the 2026 offseason and upcoming draft. Leading media outlets, including NFL.com and The Athletic, have released their three-round mock drafts, highlighting potential selections for the New York Giants in the 2026 NFL draft. These projections focus on how the Giants might utilize their picks, particularly addressing pressing needs such as the secondary and offense in the early rounds. The Giants’ first pick is projected to be the fifth overall, with notable anticipation around the players expected to be chosen.
LSU Cornerback Mansoor Delane Projected as Giants’ Top Pick
NFL.com’s analyst Chad Reuter forecasts the Giants selecting LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the fifth overall pick to bolster their defensive backfield. The choice reflects the Giants’ intent to strengthen their secondary under new head coach John Harbaugh, known for his background coaching defensive backs and developing elite defensive players.
New head coach John Harbaugh played defensive back at Miami of Ohio and coached the position for one season with the Eagles — and the Ravens selected DBs Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, and Nate Wiggins in the first round during his time with the team,
wrote Reuter.
Safety Caleb Downs, who functions like a quarterback in the secondary, is surely tempting, but in this scenario, Harbaugh chooses Delane, an elite coverage corner.
Delane began his collegiate career at Virginia Tech, participating in 33 games from 2022 to 2024. He amassed six interceptions and 16 passes defensed, highlighted by a 2024 season where he earned third-team All-ACC honors with four interceptions and seven pass breakups. For the 2025 season, he transferred to LSU, where he excelled as a starter in 11 games, recording 45 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 passes defensed. His outstanding performance earned him Unanimous All-American recognition and first-team All-SEC honors.
The Athletic Suggests Ohio State Receiver Carnell Tate as Giants’ No. 5 Choice
In contrast, The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner envisions the Giants prioritizing offensive weapons by selecting Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate with their first-round pick. Tate’s rising profile and proven track record make him a compelling option to boost the Giants’ receiving corps.
The WR1 debate between Tate, Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon should rage well beyond the NFL combine,
Baumgardner wrote.
However, Tate has the most potential and the fewest questions regarding his health and schematic fit.
Tate’s breakout sophomore year coincided with Ohio State’s National Championship run in 2024, where he caught 52 passes for 733 yards and four touchdowns as the team’s third receiving option. Following the 2025 first-round drafting of Emeka Egbuka, Tate stepped into a larger role opposite Jeremiah Smith in 2025. That season, he increased his production to 875 yards and nine touchdowns over fewer games, including four contests with over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. Despite missing nearly a month due to a lower-body injury in November, Tate returned for the final three games, catching touchdowns in two of those appearances.
Second-Round Predictions Highlight Georgia Tackle and San Diego State Cornerback
Continuing their mock drafts into Round 2, both analysts identify critical positions for the Giants to address. Chad Reuter projects the Giants will choose Monroe Freeling, an offensive tackle from Georgia, at the 37th overall pick. Freeling, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 315 pounds, played in all 13 games last season with 12 starts, earning second-team All-SEC honors from coaches. His physical traits and consistency are expected to provide much-needed strength on the Giants’ offensive line.
Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Bailey Baumgardner has the Giants selecting cornerback Chris Johnson from San Diego State in the second round. Johnson’s breakout season earned him Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year and second-team All-American accolades. According to Pro Football Focus metrics, Johnson allowed just 18 receptions for 185 yards, with no touchdowns, and an impressively low passer rating against of 16.1. He registered four interceptions and nine pass breakups during the year, demonstrating his potential as a lockdown defender.
What These Selections Mean for the Giants’ Future
These mock drafts underscore the Giants’ intention to reinforce both sides of the ball, focusing heavily on the secondary and skill positions through early-round selections. The presence of John Harbaugh as head coach adds defensive insight to these choices, as reflected in the attention given to young cornerbacks like Mansoor Delane and Chris Johnson. On offense, the competition for a leading wide receiver spot highlights the importance of versatile playmakers like Carnell Tate, while solidifying the offensive line with a tackle like Monroe Freeling addresses foundational needs for protecting the quarterback and establishing the run game.
The unfolding 2026 offseason will reveal how these projections align with the Giants’ final draft strategy. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if the team prioritizes defensive backs or offensive weapons during the draft, shaping the roster that aims to build on recent progress and contend in the coming seasons.
