7-Round Giants Mock Draft: New York robs the NFL of the draft’s best player in new draft simulator
The Giants need to surround Jaxson Dart with more weapons and they’re able to pull that off in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft thanks to A to Z Sport’s brand new mock draft simulator.
April is officially here, which means we are now just a little more than three weeks away from the 2026 NFL Draft. So, of course that means it’s time for a fresh New York Giants mock draft.
Free agency is basically over at this point. So, the draft is where the Giants have the best chance at making more substantial improvements to the roster. They have a total of seven picks in Nos. 5, 37, 105, 145, 186, 192, and 193 to help make that happen.
And, there’s also a brand new mock draft simulator to give us an in-depth look at how things could shake out in a few weeks. We here at A to Z Sports have developed our own unique tool that allows everyone to customize and participate in a full, seven-round mock that’s not the most accurate draft simulator out there, but one of the cleanest and most interactive platforms, as well.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in and see what the Giants can pull off with this brand new mock draft simulator.
The A to Z Sports NFL mock draft simulator offers a deeply customizable and data-driven experience with never-before-seen features. Try the mock draft simulator today, before the 2026 NFL Draft arrives!
New York Giants’ 2026 mock draft using A to Z Sports’ mock draft simulator
Round 1, No. 8 overall: Giants TRADE BACK with the Saints and select Notre Dame Fighting Irish RB Jeremiyah Love
Giants receive: No. 8 overall, No. 42 overall (second round), and No. 150 overall (fifth round)
Saints receive: No. 5 overall, Nos. 186 and 192 overall (sixth-rounders)
The Giants were without a third-round pick going into the draft and several top players outside Love remained on the board when the clock started for the fifth overall pick.
Therefore, I went ahead and rolled the dice with the intent of getting the Giants into the third round, at minimum. As long as I didn’t drop too far down, the chance of landing a Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, Mansoor Delane, or even Carnell Tate was high.
The Saints were perfect targets and they accepted the trade that resulted in another second-round pick for the Giants in this mock draft. That’s clearly better than a third, so I quickly pulled the trigger.
And it resulted in landing the draft’s best player in Love. Sure, the Giants have Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Devin Singletary on the roster. However, none of those guys can do what Love does. He gives the running back room a much higher ceiling and the Giants a skill set they don’t have with the other guys.
Plus cutting Singletary saves $5 million in both cash and cap space and there’s always an opportunity to trade Skattebo or Tracy since they’re young.
Regardless, Love is a dynamic, home run threat who also excels in the pass game. He’s a good pass protector, as well, giving the Giants a three-down menace in the backfield. Plus, even though Matt Nagy is OC, we all know how much John Harbaugh wants to run the ball.
The Giants get who many consider the best player in the draft and an extra top-50 pick? I’d say that’s a total win-win for Harbaugh and Co.
Top players left at 8: Ohio State Buckeyes S Caleb Downs, USC Trojans WR Makai Lemon, Penn State Nittany Lions G Vega Ioane, Tennessee Volunteers CB Jermod McCoy
Round 2, No. 37 overall: Oregon Ducks G Emmanuel Pregnon
With all due resepct, there is absolutely no way the Giants can go into the season thinking Aaron Stinne and/or Evan Neal are the answer at left guard.
Therefore, landing Pregnon at 37 is a no-brainer. He’s an immediate Day 1 starter and would give Neal and Stinnie a chance to fight it out for a backup role. If Neal backs up to Harbaugh’s thinking then the Giants would find themselves with not only a good player in Pregnon, but quality depth in Neal.
Going back to Pregnon – he is the perfect move to complement the Love selection. Pregnon is an absolute road grader who will create running lanes for Love to do his thing on a consistent basis. He’s able to do this by effectively using his hands, broad frame/base, and strength. Pregnon also has what every single offensive lineman needs to have success: absolute grit and mental toughness.
He’s not as adept in pass pro and he’s 24 years old, but Pregnon is easily one of the best guards in this class and instantly improves the Giants offensive line.
Top players left at 37: Indiana Hoosiers CB D’Angelo Ponds, Tennessee Volunteers CB Colton Hood, Louisville WR Chris Bell, DL Christian Miller
Round 2, No. 42 overall: Indiana Hoosiers CB D’Angelo Ponds
Ponds may only be 5-foot-8, 182 pounds, but he is as scrappy as they come and several top experts even consider him as the best pound-for-pound cornerback.
He can immediately come in and challenge Dru Phillips for the starting nickel spot. Frankly, it would be a surprise if he didn’t win the job. His physical and agressive play is perfect for Dennard Wilson’s defense, as well.
Despite his size, Ponds challenges the catch point better than you’d think. He’s really, really good in zone coverage, as well. He can play press/man, as well, and honestly, I’d assume he prefers that over zone, which is another plus for Wilson.
He can also make a splash in the retun game as evidenced by last year’s punt return touchdown against Illinois.
Yes, Ponds’ size will lower his ceiling, but that doesn’t change the fact he’s a good player that can, and should, step in and immediately upgrade the nickel position.
Top players left at 42: Louisville WR Chris Bell, DL Christian Miller, C Connor Lew
Round 4, No. 105 overall: North Dakota State Bison WR Bryce Lance
Man, you want to talk about size and speed? Lance totally has it at 6-foot-3, 204 pounds and the rare ability to run a 4.34 in the forty yard dash.
Not only would he add some needed size to the Giants’ receiver room, he’d add a legit vertical threat that would open things up even more for Malik Nabers. His strong tracking ability, physical play, and consistent success with back-shoulder throws are the keys to his prowess when it comes to making contested catches.
But right now, Lance wins mostly because of his elite speed, which obviously won’t translate as much to the NFL. He definitely needs to add more to his route tree, but he has the traits to where that can be coached up over time. He could easily blossom into a bonafide starter opposite Nabers in a couple of years.
Nagy could easily come up with some ways to scheme him open as he develops and that would certainly be a viable plan to fast track said development. Regardless, the Giants get a player with unlimited potential that could lead to “steal of the draft” status in later years.
Top players left at 105: South Carolina Gamecocks S Jalon Kilgore, USC Trojans WR Ja’Kobi Lane, Georgia Bulldogs TE Oscar Delp
Rounds 5-7
- Round 5, No. 145 overall: South Carolina Gamecocks DB Jalon Kilgore
- I won’t lie – I am stunned Kilgore was available at No. 145. The multi-faceted defensive back can play both safety and nickel. He should be more regarded as a piece Wilson can move around in certain situations, which is very valuable. He’s still raw in several areas, but has all the traits to be a successful DB in the NFL.
- Round 5, No. 150 overall: Texas A&M Aggies DL Tyler Onyedim
- Slight spoiler alert: The simulator did not like this pick, but I staunchly disagree. Onyedim is a great athlete with an explosive first step and the versatility to play three-tech or end in an odd front. He’d be a great addition to the defensive line rotation that can start with run defense while adding more pass rush ability over time.
- Round 6, No. 195 overall: Texas A&M Aggies TE Nate Boerkircher
- Harbaugh said he’s excited to see what the Isaiah Likely-Theo Johnson duo looks like in 2026. At the same time, Johnson was coming off an impressive year and showed he has TE1 chops. Yet, Likely was still added into the mix. Meaning, Boerkircher’s run blocking prowess and underrated receiving skills could unlock a sizable role in Year 1 despite being a sixth-round pick. The simulator didn’t like this pick, either, but I can promise you Boerkircher will be an impressive selection in hindsight.
What’s the final grade for this Giants mock draft?
I was given a “B” for my efforts, despite getting “Cs” for the first two and “Ds” for the last two picks. The Lance/Kilgore picks carried the final grade, which was a bit surprising to see:
That’s because I thought I knocked the Love trade out of the park, which received a respectable “B” grade, but the thought of Love at No. 8 as a “C” is hard to wrap my head around.
Regardless, this kind of draft would be a win for the Giants, as they not only fill needs, but also land very talented players that can become key components of New York’s infrastructure both now and in the future.
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