The path to the 2026 NFL Draft continues as March winds down.
The New York Giants brass is polishing up their big board as they host prospects on Top 30 visits and wind their way around Pro Day circuit. Meanwhile, the NFL media ecosystem is constantly speculating on what all 32 teams will do.
We always try to take note of mock drafts that come from major outlets and draft analysts who are plugged into League chatter. ESPN’s Field Yates released his latest two-round mock draft on Tuesday. And while the impact of the draft process thus far can be seen elsewhere in his mock, like Sonny Styles going in the Top 5, Yates seems to revert to his priors from before the Draft Process even got going with respect to the Giants.
5. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs has been a dominant force longer than any other defender in this class. The former Alabama and Ohio State All-American is a shapeshifter, deploying down in the box against the run or patrolling the back end with excellent coverage range.
The Giants made strides in their safety room over free agency, adding Jason Pinnock and Ar’Darius Washington as help alongside Jevon Holland. But in a league where successful defenses deploy three safeties with greater frequency, what doesn’t appear as a major need for the Giants should not be dismissed. This would make Downs the highest safety drafted since Eric Berry in 2010.
37. Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
The Giants have a strong offensive tackle duo, but they must have plenty of interior offensive linemen to keep quarterback Jaxson Dart upright. Bisontis has excellent hands, is an athletic redirector in pass protection and brings position versatility. He would really boost the Giants’ guard position, and he has prior starting experience at right tackle, too.
Chris’ Thoughts
My first thought in reading this, among the rest of the most recent batch of mock drafts, is that nobody is really sure what the Giants are going to do. This was the same sense I had a year ago when insiders constantly looked panicked when the topic of the Giants came up, and I think it’s even more true now that there’s a completely new coaching staff and a remodeled front office in place.
I’m not going to mince words with the selection of Caleb Downs at fifth overall: I’ve been out on that pick since before the Combine. That was before Downs elected to not participate in the Combine workout, which I can only say is disappointing.
I disagree that Downs is dominant or a “shapeshifter” at the NFL level. He certainly excels as a box safety, but I saw too much of him dancing like a marionette for quarterbacks with just decent eye discipline (like Drew Allar) when in deep zone coverage. I also don’t think “but Kyle Hamilton” is a good argument to make a historic investment in a more limited player.
One thing though… Isn’t Yates forgetting someone? Like the Giants’ 2024 second round pick Tyler Nubin?
I realize fans have in large part dismissed Nubin after he — like many players — regressed in a poorly schemed, poorly taught defense last year. But I’d just like to remind folks what was said about Nubin just a year ago, before the Giants fired Jerome Henderson:
ESPN said, “…he has been an aggressive tackler and a force at times near the line of scrimmage. Nubin, 23, is one tackle behind linebacker Micah McFadden for the team lead with 30. Gradually, he has become more comfortable and it has showed in his play. … It has been about figuring out the angles for Nubin. The athleticism and instincts are there.”
PFF said, naming him a ‘breakout candidate’, “As part of a loaded 2024 draft class, Nubin shined by himself with a 76.0 PFF run-defense grade and a 79.4 PFF tackling grade. Ironically, his issues arose in coverage, where he was unbelievable in 2023 at Minnesota, with a 90.1 PFF coverage grade. Anticipate Nubin playing a more complete game in his second season, particularly if New York can upgrade its cornerback room.”
Our own Nick Falato said, “…He also sports one of the lower missed tackle rates of any starting defensive player — he’s missed seven tackles, a 9.5% rate.
I am optimistic about Nubin. He flies around the field with controlled aggression and displays elite short-area quickness around the line of scrimmage. However, he’s yet to get his hands on a football, which was his calling card at Minnesota — Nubin had 11 passes defended and 13 interceptions in college.
I believe he is a decisive player, but there were hiccups over the first 10 weeks.
…
He’s had coverage lapses and been late into the alley from depth, but overall, he’s a much-needed asset on the Giants’ backend who is making rookie mistakes. He’ll be a reliable starter with turnover upside for years to come.”
Perhaps the Giants should allow Nubin to finish developing before relegating him to the trash heap and invest their resources elsewhere.
Considering both Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese are off the board, I’m taking WR Carnell Tate here and not even thinking twice.
I realize that I’m much higher on Tate than many, but I believe his game is instantly translateable and extremely durable. Tate is a route technician, who dominates the catch point with elite ball skills, and blocks like a walk-on tight end trying to win a scholarship. I find myself consistently worried that the Giants won’t be able to run the offense they want without a true X receiver, and that Jaxson Dart will put himself in harm’s way to force a play without a reliable option who is on time, every time, and won’t drop the ball.
As for the Bisontis pick, I can certainly get behind it if that’s the direction the Giants want to go. However, I think they should only invest a premium pick in the interior offensive line if they don’t believe there’s a real chance that either Evan Neal or Joshua Ezeudu could win the job. If the coaching staff believes there’s a real chance one of them can be a legitimate starter, I’d rather see the team bring back Greg Van Roten as depth and insurance and (again) invest the premium draft elsewhere.
Unless, of course, the idea is for Bisontis to replace Jon Runyan Jr. In that case, upgrading and getting younger at both guard positions would be a fantastic outcome.
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