John Harbaugh makes big splash to overhaul defense in first offseason as New York Giants head coach in newest 7-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
John Harbaugh swings for the fences in his first draft as head coach of the New York Giants in latest seven-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
The New York Giants have made it all but official with their next head coach, pulling in former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh to hopefully get the team back to consistently competitive territory, a place they haven’t been since the Tom Coughlin era.
With young players like Jaxson Dart, Andrew Thomas, Malik Nabers, Abdul Carter, and others throughout the roster, the Giants have the pieces to be competitive quickly. However, they need to replenish their talent pool at other key spots and stack up elite talent before they can be a playoff team in the loaded NFC.
Who should the Giants target in the 2026 NFL Draft to help get them one step closer to getting back in the playoffs?
New York Giants 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 5: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
I could easily justify another swing for a wide receiver here to add another playmaker opposite of Malik Nabers (and to start in case Nabers isn’t ready right away to start the year), but I think the addition of Harbaugh is going to change the priorities on the roster.
The Giants need blue-chip talent on both sides of the ball, and Downs has an argument as the best player in the class regardless of positional value. Harbaugh has first-hand experience with the impact an elite safety can have, and given Tyler Nubin’s struggles, I have to imagine the Giants would be intrigued by adding a talent like Downs to their secondary.
Round 2, Pick 37: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
The Giants will have a choice to make with Bobby Okereke’s cap situation, but it sounds like he’s on the way out. If that does indeed happen, linebacker becomes a clear need of the team, and they have to address it early on in the draft.
Trotter is a physical, dynamic attacking linebacker who is one of the best run-defending linebackers to come out of the draft in recent years. He has to iron out his discipline in coverage, but he is an ascending young player who took a step forward in that area from 2024 to 2025, indicating his upside for growth there. He can be an impact three-down defender for a unit that desperately needs one.
Round 4, Pick 105: De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
Stribling is an underrated name in this class who I feel like will fly up draft boards once more, and more people start digging into the tape.
He’s a superb contested-catch threat who can also add value after the catch as a physical tackler-breaker, giving him a strong overall skill set. Perhaps the trait that stands out most for his fit with the Giants is his run-blocking ability, an area the Giants aren’t getting much from.
Round 5, Pick 143: Trey Zuhn III, OL, Texas A&M
Trey Zuhn III played left tackle for the Aggies, but is likely to kick inside at the next level at either center or guard. Either spot works for the Giants, and Zuhn is a perfect fit for the outside-zone run game that new offensive coordinator Todd Monken will be installing. He’s a tremendous mover on the run, and he can push for playing time at either guard or center in New York.
Round 6, Pick 184: Cameron Ball, DT, Arkansas
The Giants’ defensive line, outside of Dexter Lawrence, struggled for most of the year, particularly against the run. While that room doesn’t necessarily need a complete overhaul, they definitely have to improve their stoutness up front to help shut down the run.
Ball, a thick 323-pound tackle, anchors well against double-teams and was difficult for SEC teams to move all season long.
Round 6, Pick 190 (via MIA): Nyjalik Kelly, EDGE, UCF
The Giants are stacked at the top of their rush rotation with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, but they need to reinforce their depth with some pending free agents on the way out.
Kelly isn’t a big-time name, but he’s long, explosive, and stout at the point of attack. He can be a solid developmental edge rusher at the bottom of their rotation.
Round 6, Pick 191 (via DAL): Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
Depending on whether the Giants retain Cor’dale Flott in free agency, this position could be a bit of a bigger priority for the team.
If they do, like I think they will, then all they need is to stack up depth in their rotation. Davis fits the mold Harbaugh has often targeted at cornerback, with his size, ball skills, and length.
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