Mock Draft Tracker 3.0: Pre-Combine Edition

Mock Draft Tracker 3.0: Pre-Combine Edition

Giants
23 Feb 2026, 17:34 GMT+

Dan Salomone

Indianapolis is once again the center of the football universe as the league gathers for the annual NFL Scouting Combine.

A total of319 prospectshave been invited to attend football's ultimate job interview this year. What happens in the next few days will surely shake up draft boards around the league.

The New York Giants hold the No. 5 overall pick in the the draft, which will take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Before we get into the latest mock drafts, here's a refresher on the draft order for the first round.

2026 NFL Draft Order

  • Las Vegas Raiders
  • New York Jets
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Tennessee Titans
  • New York Giants
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Washington Commanders
  • New Orleans Saints
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Miami Dolphins
  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)
  • Baltimore Ravens
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • New York Jets (via IND)
  • Detroit Lions
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • Carolina Panthers
  • Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Los Angeles Chargers
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Cleveland Browns (via JAX)
  • Chicago Bears
  • Buffalo Bills
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • Houston Texans
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • Denver Broncos
  • New England Patriots
  • Seattle Seahawks
  • A look at the latest mock drafts for the Giants at No. 5:

    Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media

    Pick:Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

    Analysis:"The Giants add another weapon for Jaxson Dart. Tate gives the offense a vertical receiver to play opposite a hopefully-healthy Malik Nabers."

    Dane Brugler, The Athletic

    Pick:Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

    Analysis:"Not everyone will be on board with drafting a safety this early, but Downs isn't a typical safety. He sees the field like a chessboard and plays with the instincts and competitive toughness that impact the game in substantial ways."

    Eric Edholm, NFL.com

    Pick:Makai Lemon, WR, USC

    Analysis:"Don't rule out an offensive lineman here, but Lemon and Malik Nabers could be an excellent duo for Jaxson Dart and a new Giants offense. Lemon is a tough, competitive, yards-after-catch specialist who'll fit a hard-nosed John Harbaugh team."

    Bucky Brooks, NFL.com

    Pick:Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

    Analysis:"The Giants get back to their menacing ways under new coach John Harbaugh by fortifying the trenches with fresh talent."

    Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

    Pick:Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

    Analysis:"Delane is a smothering presence outside with the ability to stay tight on all three levels and take the rock away."

    Matt Miller, ESPN

    Pick:Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

    Analysis:"Tate's tape reminds me of Justin Jefferson at LSU, and he enters the league with a similar body type and skill set."

    Field Yates, ESPN

    Pick:Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

    Analysis:"This is my first curveball, as many early mock drafts have linked the Giants to a wide receiver or offensive tackle in this spot. Those are completely understandable, especially if Wan'Dale Robinson and/or Jermaine Eluemunor depart in free agency. But Downs has my attention as the first pick of the John Harbaugh era."

    Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus

    Pick:Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

    Analysis:"Developing and protecting quarterback Jaxson Dart should be a top priority for new head coach John Harbaugh. Fano produced a position-best 92.0 PFF overall grade over the past two seasons and would slot in seamlessly as the Giants' right tackle opposite of Andrew Thomas."

    Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic

    Pick:Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

    Analysis:"The WR1 debate between Tate, Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon should rage well beyond the NFL combine. However, Tate has the most potential and the fewest questions regarding his health and schematic fit."

    Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus

    Pick:Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

    Analysis:"With Malik Nabers recovering from a major knee injury and Wan'Dale Robinson set to hit free agency, New York could be forced to add another difference-maker in the passing game. Tyson offers that upside, boasting the highest ceiling of the group after earning an 89.5 PFF receiving grade against man coverage this past season."

    Cynthia Frelund, NFL Network

    Pick:Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

    Analysis:"McCoy tore his ACL in January 2025 (he missed all of last season), so we'll have to see how his medical evaluations turn out during the draft process (including at the NFL Scouting Combine). But my model loves his potential and upside: He has the highest rating for a true press corner in this year's class. Also, at just 20 years old, he's two years younger than my No. 2 rated corner, Mansoor Delane."

    Mike Renner, CBS Sports

    Pick:Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

    Analysis:"Styles could be the cherry on top of a budding front seven. He's one of the best off-ball linebacker athletes to come out in recent years, boasting a massive frame and cornerback-like movement skills."

    Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports

    Pick:Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

    Analysis:"Tate is a long strider with a big catch radius and reliable hands who makes contested catches downfield look easy. He flashes quickness and short-area agility to create separation at the top of his route and has the ability to make defenders miss after the catch. His ball-tracking, route-running and ability to operate in space make him a Day 1 impact player at the next level."

    Josh Edwards, CBS Sports

    Pick:Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

    Analysis:"Carnell Tate would provide more confidence going into Year 2 with Jaxson Dart. Tate is a bigger body with great body control and a feel for playing in space."

    Connor Rogers, NBC Sports

    Pick:Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

    Analysis:"Whether it be at right tackle (where he's started the last three seasons) or guard, Mauigoa puts more help in front of Jaxson Dart. His play strength and anchor stood out in 2025, where his improvement in pass protection was notable. Wide receiver could be in play here for the Giants, but if they bring back Wan'Dale Robinson they can address that position later in the draft."

    Blake Brockermeyer, CBS Sports

    Pick:Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

    Analysis:"Spencer Fano plays with good technique and excellent feet, and I believe he can handle either tackle spot. He didn't allow a sack this season and gave up only six hurries. His best days are still ahead, but I like his power at the point, his ability to move people in the run game and the athleticism to pull and clear defenders at the second level."

    Danny Kelly, The Ringer

    Pick:Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

    Analysis:"The Giants show here that they're all about the development of quarterback Jaxson Dart. Tate is a big-time playmaker with good length and incredible body control that he uses to dominate at the catch point. He's a perfect complement to Malik Nabers and gives Dart another go-to guy to throw to in high-leverage situations."

    Justin Melo, The Draft Network

    Pick:Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami

    Analysis:"John Harbaugh and the Giants are tasked with investing in Jaxson Dart's development this offseason."

    Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network

    Pick:Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

    Analysis:"The New York Giants drafted Jaxson Dart in the first round last year, and as a rookie, he showed some promise that should have the front office optimistic about what he could develop into. But if they want Dart to take the same steps that Caleb Williams and Drake Maye took in their sophomore years, they are going to need to upgrade the receiver room and give him another weapon, especially with Malik Nabers recovering from an ACL injury. So in this spot, the Giants decide to go with Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson."

    Chad Reuter, NFL.com

    Pick:Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

    Analysis:"New head coach John Harbaugh played defensive back at Miami of Ohio and coached the position for one season with the Eagles -- and the Ravens selected DBs Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks and Nate Wiggins in the first round during his time with the team. Safety Caleb Downs, who functions like a quarterback in the secondary, is surely tempting, but in this scenario, Harbaugh chooses Delane, an elite coverage corner."

    Gordon McGuinness, Pro Football Focus

    Pick:Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

    Analysis:"While I agree with the recent declaration from multiple draft analysts that Ohio State's Arvell Reese is a better prospect as a linebacker than an edge defender, I think his teammate is the best linebacker in this draft class. Styles' grading profile is similar to that of San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner from his BYU days, and he could easily be a decade-long NFL starter."

    Gennaro Filice, NFL.com

    Pick:Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

    Analysis:"Jaxson Dart needs to protect himself from unnecessary carnage, but the Giants must do everything in their power to maintain a clean pocket."

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