Week 16 holds significant weight for the New York Giants, as they square off with the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick on the line.

The first overall pick in this class holds the key to a bounty of future draft capital. This class doesn’t feature many premier prospects, and only two quarterbacks are worthy of a top-10 selection. Teams desperate for a quarterback will need to trade up if the Giants are holding that pick to jump ahead of the line.

With that in mind, I produced a 2026 NFL Mock Draft using Mock Draft Database’s simulator, including a trade for the first overall pick. I then received a grade for my mock draft from A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst Ryan Roberts.

Here were the results.

New York Giants 2026 NFL Mock Draft Results

In this mock draft, I traded with the Arizona Cardinals to move back to the fifth overall pick. Presumably, this would be because they’d be moving on from Kyler Murray. The trade netted the Giants an early 2026 draft pick and numerous 2027 draft picks, creating opportunities to add depth from a better draft class.

TRADE: New York Giants send 2026 Round 1 Pick 1 to the Arizona Cardinals for 2026 Round 1 Pick 5, Round 2 Pick 36, 2027 1st Round Pick, 2027 3rd Round Pick, 2027 4th Round Pick, 2027 7th Round Pick

Round 1 Pick 5: Ohio State S Caleb Downs

Round 2 Pick 34: Texas A&M WR Kevin Concepcion

Round 2 Pick 36: Tennessee CB Colton Hood

Round 4 Pick 102: Georgia OT Monroe Freeling

Round 5 Pick 140: Minnesota DL Anthony Smith

Round 6 Pick 183: Cincinnati TE Joe Royer

Round 6 Pick 192: Utah LB Lander Barton

Round 6 Pick 194: Texas S Michael Taaffe

Who did the Giants land?

With the fifth overall pick, I selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. I am a massive fan of his play style, and he can improve the Giants’ underwhelming defense. He’s an explosive athlete and fundamentally sound run defender. They need someone with his talent and instincts to fix multiple problems on the defense.

In the second round, I secured a big play threat for Jaxson Dart with KC Concepcion. This elite speed would add a layer that the Giants’ receiver room has needed for some time. Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Concepcion would be a dangerous unit.

I also picked Colton Hood in the second round, who has been a riser at cornerback this year. Right now, there isn’t a clear path for who will start opposite Paulson Adebo, and Hood could fill that void.

On Day 3, I selected numerous players needed to fill positions where the Giants lack depth. Georgia’s Monroe Freeling has had a solid season and could eventually become a starter. Minnesota’s Anthony Smith’s build would make him an exceptional rotational defensive lineman. Cincinnati’s Joe Royer has the versatility the tight end room needs. Utah’s Lander Barton is a massive body who could play multiple linebacker positions. Lastly, Texas’ Michael Taaffe is a solid backup defensive back who would be a fantastic special-teams contributor.

All in all, I feel this mock draft accomplished the task of finding three key starters for 2026 and rounded out the depth the Giants desperately lack in other areas.

Draft Grade from Ryan Roberts

For a team that needs more talent, especially on the offense and in the secondary, the No. 5 selection being a safety is just too high. Downs is a good football player, but he also isn’t an elite prospect. That’s a rough start to the draft for the Giants.

Luckily for them, they made up for it with their two second-round selections. Both Concepcion and Hoop will play immediately for this team. Dart will get the full year as a starter at quarterback next year. Concepcion is the type of after-catch dynamo who has the chance to help Dart immediately. That Day 2 haul really gave this class a huge bump.

From there, Monroe Freeling is a nice developmental offensive tackle with a lot of upside to tap into. The Giants have a hole at right tackle, and he could be the future. The rest of the Day 3 picks were good values and dart throws. While the beginning didn’t start great, value did save this draft for the Giants.

Grade: B

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