Trying to mock draft for a team that hasn’t replaced its head coach (or any other positions in the coaching department/front office) is definitely a challenge. When you see names from college as well as the NFL linked to their head coaching vacancy, such as Marcus Freeman, Mike McCarthy, Joe Brady, Kliff Kingsbury, Klint Kubiak, Jeff Hafley, Lou Anarumo, Jesse Minter, it would vastly change how this team views their roster and needs heading into 2026.
To set some groundwork here, I see Jaxson Dart as their franchise QB (we just have to keep him healthy). I could see them move on from some of the older players with smaller dead cap numbers (Okereke, Runyan, etc), depending on how free agency shakes out. They currently have 40 players under contract going into next season, and with some of their bigger names coming back from injury (Nabers and Skattebo), this team could become competitive quickly if they play their cards right.
Note: Teams inevitably trade draft picks during the draft; I will not be. I’m standing pat and selecting based on how the roster will look today, so no free agency either.
2026 New York Giants: Overview
The biggest needs I see for this team include: Inside Linebacker(s), Interior offensive linemen (probably 1-2), Wide receiver depth, a tackle that could push for starting reps on the right side, and defensive line depth (probably more on the outside, but we’ll see). In the end, I’ll lean on my best player available early and see what happens from there. We are still early enough in the process that I have work to do on the later round picks, and we still need to see who really declares for the draft.
New York Giants 2026 7 Round NFL Mock Draft
Pick #1 – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
I feel extremely confident this team will trade out of the #1 pick, especially having some QB options for teams to want to trade up to draft here. I think they stay high enough in the draft to either target Reese or probably an elite defender like a Caleb Downs. Reese is a bit of a defensive weapon; you can play him as a linebacker, he can drop back into coverage, and he can attack the quarterback. There isn’t much he can’t do, and he definitely fills a need and is the best player. As someone who was a huge fan of Aaron Curry, I definitely don’t want you to do a comparison with him. They were elite athletes, but Reese is so much more polished and battle-tested coming out. Side note, Curry’s turned into a solid coach and definitely a person I still like!
Pick #35 – Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Bell’s got the size/speed/big play ability, he’s still got some developing to do in terms of his route tree (or at least has to expand it, which he wasn’t asked to do at Louisville). I think pairing him with Nabers and Robinson could be huge for Dart, giving him legitimately 3 (or 4 if you include tight end Theo Johnson) receiving threats for him to distribute the ball to.
Pick #101 – Iapani Laloulu, IOL/C, Oregon
Laloulu could be your center or guard, with his size/speed profile, but he’s been an anchor of that Oregon offensive line, and I expect him to be in consideration for day one starter with some team that needs interior help (wouldn’t be surprised if he was a Lion either, honestly).
Pick #142 – Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
I think they need one more corner, probably two. Davis gives you a big body at 6’4”, but can play and keep up with outside receivers. I think he starts as a backup but could quickly earn a bigger role with his football IQ and ability.
Pick #183 – Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech
P #193 – John Henry Daley, EDGE, Utah
P #195 – Jamarion Miller, RB, Alabama
Their last three picks are developmental depth guys that I think each brings something special that could keep them on this roster. When picking further down the draft board, I look for a standout trait/tool that could keep a player around on a roster or even as a practice squad player to start, all three having something special that will catch teams’ attention.
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