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.
In our final edition, let's take a look at the predictions for both of the Giants' first-round picks from NFL.com's Eric Edholm, ESPN's Peter Schrager, CBS Sports' Josh Edwards and The McShay Report's Todd McShay.
Edholm'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)
"When John Harbaugh -- who typically never attends pro days -- showed up to Ohio State's event, I knew New York had eyes for a Buckeye; I just didn't know which one. The Giants scoop up Styles here, but in this mock, they're not done mining the Columbus football factory ..."
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)
"If Jordyn Tyson is here on Thursday, I think the Giants take him. GM Joe Schoen reportedly had dinner with the Arizona State wideout a couple days before the Dexter Lawrence trade netted New York this extra first-round pick. If Tyson is gone, like in this simulation, Big Blue can double down on Buckeyes, with Downs providing an excellent upgrade to the secondary."
Schrager's Picks
Pick at No. 5:Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
Height:6-foot-4 |Weight:241 pounds
2025 Stats:14 games, 69 total tackles (34 solo), 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, two passes defensed
Accolades:Consensus All-American (2025), Big Ten Linebacker of the Year (2025), First-Team All-Big Ten (2025), CFP National Champion (2024)
"I haven't seen many mock drafts having Reese slip this far, and maybe he won't. But I also remember Leonard Williams inexplicably falling out of the top five in 2015. These things happen. Edge rusher is not one of the Giants' holes, but the roster needs good football players."
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)
"Going fifth might be too rich, considering Tyson's durability issues (he missed 17 of 51 possible games in college). But taking him at the back end of the top 10 with the pick coming back from the Dexter Lawrence II trade is a better value. Tyson could join Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely and crew to give Jaxson Dart some real options in the pass game."
Edwards' Picks
Pick at No. 5:Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Height:6-foot-2 |Weight:192 pounds
2025 Stats:11 games, 51 receptions for 875 yards and 9 touchdowns
Accolades:First-Team All-Big Ten (2025), CFP National Champion (2024)
"New York is a mystery because they do not really need edge rusher and linebacker is less of a priority after signing Tremaine Edmunds. Carnell Tate is the most useful prospect in the short and long term if they hope for Jaxson Dart to pan out. Malik Nabers may come along slowly, coming off an injury and the Titans now sign Wan'Dale Robinson's paychecks. Tate gives Dart an outside threat in the pass game immediately and is a great complement to Nabers long-term."
Pick at No. 10:Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Height:5-foot-11 |Weight:187 pounds
2025 Stats:11 games, 45 tackles (26 solo), 2 interceptions, 11 passes defensed, 14 receptions allowed for 165 yards and 0 touchdowns, 31.3 passer rating against
Accolades:Unanimous All-American (2025), First-Team All-SEC (2025), Third-Team All-ACC (2024)
"Jordyn Tyson has been a common association with the Giants at No. 10 overall, but that obviously does not apply here if they take Carnell Tate No. 5 overall. New York is not going to find a replacement for Dexter Lawrence at No. 10 overall, but it can pick up a quality player at the cornerback position."
McShay's 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)
"WR Jordyn Tyson, DS Caleb Downs, and OT Francis Mauigoa are the other three names linked to the Giants, but they cash in on the opportunity to draft the No. 1 player on my boardas well as many NFL teams' boardsat pick no. 5. They pair Love with Cam Skattebo (and Tyrone Tracy Jr.) in the backfield, complementing running styles and skill sets alongside second-year QB Jaxson Dart."
Pick at No. 10:Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
Height:6-foot-5|Weight:329 pounds
2025 Stats:16 games, 825 total offensive snaps, 439 pass block snaps, 2 sacks and 10 total pressures allowed
Accolades:Consensus All-American (2025), ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy (2025), First-Team All-ACC (2025), Second-Team All-ACC (2024), All-ACC Honorable Mention (2023)
"Caleb Downs and Vega Ioane could be in play here, but Mauigoa has been linked to the Giants for a while, and this would be great value to land a player many scouts believe is the top offensive lineman in the draft."
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