Matt Citak
"Make the Case" is officially back on Giants.com for the 2026 NFL Draft.
In this series, we look atprojections provided by analystsand then ask you, the fans, to weigh in on what the Giants should do in the draft.
Draft week is here, and with it comes the Giants now selecting twice in the top 10. Here are the first-round predictions for the Giants at No. 5 and No. 10 from ESPN's Jordan Reid and NFL Media's Bucky Brooks.
Reid's Picks
Pick at No. 5:Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Height:6-foot-5 |Weight:244 pounds
2025 Stats:14 games, 82 total tackles (46 solo), one sack, 6.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one interception, three passes defensed
Accolades:First-Team All-American (2025), First-Team All-Big Ten (2025), Second-Team All-Big Ten (2024), CFP National Champion (2024)
"John Harbaugh teams have historically had a commanding presence at middle linebacker. There hasn't been an off-ball linebacker drafted in the top five since 2019 (Devin White), but Styles is a rare linebacker prospect in a draft class that lacks true high-end options at high-leverage positions. Styles' size, instincts, movement ability and continued development make him an ideal fit in the middle of the Giants' defense."
Pick at No. 10:Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Height:6-feet |Weight:206 pounds
2025 Stats:14 games, 68 total tackles (45 solo), one sack, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two interceptions
Accolades:2x Unanimous All-American (2024,2025), Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2025), 2x Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year (2024,2025), Jim Thorpe Award (2025), Lott Trophy (2025), 2x First-Team All-Big Ten (2024, 2025), CFP National Champion (2024), Second-Team All-American (2023), SEC Freshman of the Year (2023), First-Team All-SEC (2023)
"The Giants added another top-10 pick over the weekend in the Dexter Lawrence II trade, and they can use it to keep addressing the defense. It has been nearly a decade since a safety was picked in the top 10 (Jamal Adams, 2017), but Downs is fully worthy of breaking that streak. He is one of the smartest football players I've ever studied, and he has the versatility and sure tackling skills to complement that intelligence. He trusts his coverage instincts, allowing him to routinely make plays against the pass and in run support. Downs would be a perfect addition to John Harbaugh's defense."
Brooks' Picks
Pick at No. 5:Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Height:6-foot-0 |Weight:212 pounds
2025 Stats:12 games, 199 rush attempts for 1,372 yards (6.9 avg.) and 19 touchdowns; 27 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns
Accolades:Unanimous All-American (2025), Doak Walker Award (2025)
"Love will team with Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers to give Jaxson Dart a stellar supporting cast that will help the second-year pro grow. In fact, this pick is only New York's first gift to the 22-year-old quarterback in this mock ..."
Pick at No. 10:Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Height:6-foot-2 |Weight:203 pounds
2025 Stats:9 games, 61 receptions for 711 yards and 8 touchdowns
Accolades:2x First-Team All-Big 12 (2024, 2025), Third-Team All-American (2025)
"Taking an oft-injured pass catcher is a risky proposition, but Tyson is a dominant lead receiver with big-play potential. If the Arizona State standout avoids the injury bug, the Giants will have a dynamic pairing on the perimeter with the acrobatic playmaker joining Malik Nabers to give New York co-WR1s."
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