I had not intended to debut my weekly multi-round New York Giants mock draft for at least another week. Then, Giants coach John Harbaugh spoke to Mike Francesa and made some eye-catching comments about the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. On the heels of those, I felt a need to jump into the NFL mock draft frenzy.
So, here we go.
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This is a no-trades mock to simply set a baseline for future draft scenarios. I used the NFL Mock Draft Database simulator.
Round 1 (No. 5) — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
After Harbaugh’s remarks to Francesa, there was no choice but to select Downs at No. 5. Here is what Harbaugh said about Downs and the No. 5 pick:
“Big fan, big fan,” Harbaugh said of Downs. “We favor Hall of Fame safeties, so if we have a chance to draft a potential future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just fine with me.
“We’ll take the best player. You know, when you draft that high, you take the best player. It’s not a need pick. It’s the best player pick because you’re going for the guy that’s going to be that kind of a player. You’re talking about a guy that you would like to see someday wearing a gold jacket if possible. That’s what the goal is with that pick. …
“That guy would be just fine with me. I’d take him in a second.”
That might be a first shot at draft gamesmanship from Harbaugh to see if the Giants can generate interest in trading down a few spots to pick up additional draft assets. It also might not be. I will take Harbaugh at his word that Downs is firmly on the Giants’ radar.
We have talked about how Harbaugh coached Hall of Famer Ed Reed in Baltimore, and how the Ravens drafted two-time All-Pro Kyle Hamilton in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft. Harbaugh pointed out to Francesa that four-time First-Team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler Brian Dawkins was part of the team when Harbaugh was an assistant coach for Andy Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles.
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If there is anyone in the NFL who understands the value of a premier safety, it would be John Harbaugh.
I have already said several times that the selection of Downs is one I would support. The Giants have lacked a real difference-maker in the secondary for several years, and Downs could give them that. We don’t, of course, know how free agency will impact the Giants’ priorities in the draft. Today, though, Downs is the choice.
Here is a full scouting report from Sports Info Solutions:
Overall
Caleb Downs is a versatile defensive back and one of the leaders on the talented Ohio State defense. He was used in a variety of different ways and alignments this past season to utilize his athleticism and instincts to maximize his play-to-play impact. He saw the majority of his snaps as a strong safety, working top to bottom allowing him to read and react to the ball as the play developed. While he is only a 3-year player, he has an enormous amount of experience, having started in every game of his college career. He spent his freshman season at Alabama and after coach Nick Saban retired he transferred to Ohio State. His accolades include being a 2-time All-American, National Champion, and 2025 Thorpe Award winner, given to the best defensive back in the country each season. He also has NFL bloodlines, as his brother Josh is a receiver for the Colts, and his uncle is Pro Bowler Dre Bly. His frame is compact, but he is a fluid athlete and easy mover on the field. His leadership is evident on and off the field, as he was a captain for the 2025 season.
Pass Game
Downs displays exceptional instincts and feel in coverage for a young player. His eyes are constantly in the right place allowing him to anticipate and feel out route combinations and play with proper leverage against his assignments. In zone coverage he plays with discipline to perform his job and knows when to bail from his assignment and rally to the football. He plays with good pad level to quickly drive and close on the ball in the air and can affect the catch point with physicality. In man coverage, he has the physicality to match with tight ends and foot speed to stay attached with wide receivers down the field.
He wasn’t asked to be a center fielder on top of the defense, and while he has sufficient range he isn’t a sideline-to-sideline roaming free safety. He lacks great length which can prevent him from disrupting the catch point, but he is a natural athlete who can track and play the ball in the air. Downs has natural ability to communicate and lead on the back end. He is always talking and making sure his teammates are aligned and on the same page pre-snap, and even post-snap you see him motioning and signaling to his teammates to pass routes off in coverage. His ability to disguise and hold his water before attacking downhill is remarkable as well.
Run Game
Downs plays with the desired physicality needed to defend the run. He has performed his duties at multiple alignments at a high level. He can attack downhill and fit against the run with physicality, and he will also run the alley with speed. He also can help set the edge and be a force player if asked as well. His instincts against the run are just as exceptional as they are in coverage. He knows when to attack downhill and has a magnet for finding the ball. As a tackler, he can come to balance and attack the ballcarrier with physicality. There are times when he can be aggressive working downhill, which can lead to misses in the open field. However, he is very productive as a tackler and can correct mistakes in game and week-to-week. His alignment versatility allows him to be a quality run defender in the slot, in the box, or as a deep safety.
Last Word
Downs projects to be a starting-level safety who can be aligned in a variety of ways to utilize his instincts and physicality. He can align as a Nickel defender in the slot who can play in coverage and fit against the run, with the ability to play as a deep safety in a scheme that lets him work top-down. He doesn’t display overwhelming athletic traits or length to his frame, but his instincts and ability to affect the game are valuable assets to add to any defense at the next level. On 3rd downs, he can play in man coverage on tight ends, blitz from depth, or patrol the intermediate areas of the field. He also is an experienced special teams player who even showed some playmaking ability as a returner.
Other players considered: Rueben Bain, edge, Miami; Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State; Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami; Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU; Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
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Round 2 (No. 37) — Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
I went into this pick with an open mind regarding offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback or whatever would help the Giants the most. Admittedly, though, the trenches were at the forefront of my thoughts.
With no idea at this time what the Giants might actually be looking for in terms of trench players other than big and physical ones, Pregnon is a player I watched recently and was impressed by.
Here is part of the Sports Info Solutions scouting report on Pregnon:
Pregnon is a long, intelligent, and sturdy pass protector … In the run game, Pregnon is incredibly powerful and deceptively quick. He displays fantastic functional strength and power to drive and displace defenders at the point of attack … Pregnon projects to be a quality starting-level guard at the next level with his massive size and functional power. He has the tools to be a scheme-versatile blocker with the sound feet and movement ability to fit in a zone scheme, and the strength and power to displace at the LOS in a downhill gap scheme. He can also set a firm anchor in the pocket to allow a QB to have ample room to step up and maneuver the pocket.
Other players considered: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida; Anthony Hill, LB, Texas; Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M; Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa; Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
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Round 4 (No. 105) — Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
In what is said to be a deep wide receiver class, there were still several options on the board here. I have to acknowledge that I have a preference toward bigger receivers who can be useful in red zone and contested catch situations. The three receivers in my ‘other players considered’ category below — Kevin Coleman, Deion Burks, Brenen Thompson — are smallish slot receivers. If Wan’Dale Robinson leaves in free agency they might earn more consideration, but that’s a bridge to cross when we have to.
Lane is a 6-foot-4, 196-pound target.
Sports Info Solutions says:
Lane is a long, lanky receiver whose strong hands, tracking ability, and concentration in contested situations make him a vital piece to a receiver room at the next level, though a lack of play strength and suddenness could hold him back from reaching his full potential.
Other players considered: Kevin Coleman, WR, Missouri; Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma; Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke; Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State; Malachi Lawrence, edge, UCF
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OK, Giants fans, how did I do in this first effort? I’m sure I don’t need to encourage some of you to start picking my choices apart.
Read the full article here
