As things stand now, prior to Week 15, the New York Giants hold the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
But nobody really expects them to hold that pick once things are all said and done. It’d be fantastic to hold the first or second pick in the draft and auction it off to a team desperate for a quarterback. However, the Giants have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the NFL, with games against the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, and Las Vegas Raiders before their season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.
It’s entirely possible that the Giants could win three of four — or even all four, given the ceiling we’ve seen this team play to — and finish with a five or six-win season. Obviously not a great season, but that could be enough to knock them out of the Top 5, or even the Top 10 in the draft order.
As of this writing, there are 15 teams with 6 or fewer wins on the season.
It’s possible, albeit unlikely, that if Jaxson Dart accomplishes his goal of winning the final four games that the Giants could be picking at the bottom of the first half of the draft order. It’s also possible that the Giants could still be picking in the Top 5 or 10, but trade down in the first round to recoup some of the assets used to acquire Jaxson Dart.
So with that in mind, and the fact that we’re in the lull between Championship Saturday and Bowl Season, I wanted to go over some of the top prospects who could be options outside of the Top 10.
1) Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
Delane has a real chance to be the first cornerback selected in April. However, his performance over the draft process will determine whether that’s in the Top 10 or not. He has the ability to play in man or zone coverage, and has largely been lock-down this year. Opposing quarterbacks have only managed a passer rating of 26.7 throwing in his direction.
2) Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami)
We’ve brought Mauigoa up a few times in relation to the Giants. The Miami right tackle could be a real option for the Giants if Jermaine Eluemunor leaves in Free Agency and the team isn’t ready to put all their eggs in Marcus Mbow’s basket.
Mauigoa could win the job outright, and there are some who think he could be a guard at the NFL level.
3) Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
Styles has faded into the background a bit as Arvell Reese emerged for the OSU defense. But while the Giants already have three defenders like Reese, they have none like Styles.
Styles started games as a safety when he arrived at OSU, but transitioned to linebacker after the 2023 season. But unlike other converted defensive backs, Styles is definitely built like a linebacker at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds. Styles is strong against the run and pass, and has experience rushing the passer as a blitzing linebacker.
4) Kayden McDonald (iDL, Ohio State)
McDonald might get lost the shuffle of a deep and talented Ohio State defense, but he’s definitely worth a first round pick. He has excellent size at 6-foot-3 325 pounds, with great play strength as well as quickness. And as we should expect from an OSU defender, he’s been well coached. He has good technique and can force draws through his footwork and competitive toughness.
He was among the best defensive tackles in college football this year, and should be a factor against the run and pass early in his career.
5) Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
Boston might not be quite at the same level as this year’s “Big 3” receivers, however he definitely should be talked about as a 1st round talent. The Husky’s receiver has very good size at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds with plus play speed, agility, body control, and concentration. He could be a good deep threat, a reliable possession receiver, and a matchup problem as a Big Slot.
Boston is also willing blocker who can get after second level or perimeter defenders to help his teammates.
The next five
It is possible that the Giants could find themselves at the bottom of the top 10 and out of the range of a potential trade with a QB-needy team, but also still engineer a trade down. We could see five edge defenders garner a Top 15 grade, and the Giants definitely don’t need another first round edge. Likewise, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love should be an attractive option for teams looking to add an offensive weapon and the best running back in the country.
It’s possible that the Giants could find themselves in trade negotiations with a team that made the playoffs looking for that “Final Piece”, and in doing so be drafting in the 20’s.
6) Caleb Banks (iDL, Florida)
Banks missed a big chunk of the season thanks for a broken foot suffered back in September, otherwise we’d probably be hearing more of him. Banks is a big, imposing defensive tackle at 6-foot-6, 330 pounds, and has the strength to control blockers as well as the ability to disrupt behind the line of scrimmage.
Banks’ stat sheet is pretty bare, with just six tackles and one tackle for a loss over the final two games of the season. However, he had 21 tackles, 7.0 for a loss, and 4.5 sacks when healthy in 2024
7) Olaivavega Ioane (OG, Penn State)
If Mauigoa isn’t drafted as a guard, Ioane will likely be the first interior lineman off the board. Ioane is a powerfully built at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds with excellent play strength and enough athleticism to mirror interior defenders.
He has been an elite pass protector this year, giving up just one hurry this year, with no hits or sacks. He’s also a very good run blocker who can execute man or zone blocking schemes.
8) Aveion Terrell (CB, Clemson)
Aveion is the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell. The younger Terrell is an undersized corner at 5-foot-11 180 pounds, but he’s highly athletic and fluid. He’s also a very aggressive cover corner who can play man or zone. The big question with Terrell is whether the NFL thinks he’ll be an outside corner or “just” a slot.
He’s a highly disruptive corner who might not be able to brawl with big receivers in close quarters, but excels at knocking passes away… Or picking them off.
9) Gennings Dunker (OT, Iowa)
Dunker seems to be flying under the radar at this point in the process, but I don’t expect that to continue for long.
Dunker is a typical “Iowa” lineman who has great play strength, technique, and competitive toughness. He’s a very good run blocker an an adequate pass protector, at least at the collegiate level. Dunker may be considered a guard at the next level due to a lack of foot speed and lower body fluidity, but his frame (6-foot-5, 320 pounds) is versatile enough to allow a move inside without much issue.
The Giants might need a player to compete with Mbow at RT or move inside to replace Greg Van Roten at RG. Dunker could be a fringe first round option depending on how he tests.
10) C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
Another option at off-ball linebacker, Allen is built like a WILL linebacker at 6-foot-1, 235 pounds. He’s an athletic linebacker who can defeat blocks with his football IQ and athleticism, as well as play sideline to sideline.
Allen started as a true freshman, a testament to his football IQ considering the complexity of Kirby Smart’s scheme. He might not be a “downhill thumper” at this point in his development, but he’s rangy and versatile, able to hold up in coverage, rush the passer, and play the run. Allen is a prolific tackler with 161 tackles over the last two years, as well as 11.0 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, eight passes defensed, and an interception.
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