The New York Giants are set to pick fifth in the 2026 NFL Draft, with mock drafts suggesting they should select offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa from Miami. This will be their first draft under new head coach John Harbaugh.
Key points
New York Giants have the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
John Harbaugh is the new head coach
Mock drafts suggest selecting Francis Mauigoa
Several key players were picked before the Giants
Team has numerous roster needs
Mentioned in this story
John HarbaughMiami
New York GiantsFrancis Mauigoa
2026 NFL draft: Is this what the New York Giants 'should do' in Round 1?
The New York Giants are just over a week away from their first NFL draft under the leadership of newly hired head coach John Harbaugh. With the team selecting fifth overall and numerous needs across the roster, recent mock drafts have linked the team to a wide range of players ahead of the event.
NFL.com’s Adam Rank published a mock draft early this week outlining what each team "should do" in the first round.
With quarterback Fernando Mendoza, wide receiver Carnell Tate, linebacker Arvell Reese, and running back Jeremiyah Love all off the board in the first four picks, the Giants select offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa out of Miami in this scenario.
Dallas Cowboys (home, away)
Washington Commanders (home, away)
Q&A
Who is the New York Giants' head coach for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The head coach for the New York Giants during the 2026 NFL Draft is John Harbaugh.
What position is Francis Mauigoa and which college did he attend?
Francis Mauigoa is an offensive tackle who played at the University of Miami.
What pick do the New York Giants have in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The New York Giants have the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Which players were selected before the Giants in the 2026 NFL Draft scenario?
In the mock draft scenario, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, wide receiver Carnell Tate, linebacker Arvell Reese, and running back Jeremiyah Love were selected before the Giants.
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Philadelphia Eagles (home, away)
Arizona Cardinals (home)
Cleveland Browns (home)
Jacksonville Jaguars (home)
New Orleans Saints (home)
San Francisco 49ers (home)
Tennessee Titans (home)
Detroit Lions (road)
Indianapolis Colts (road)
Houston Texans (road)
Seattle Seahawks (road)
Los Angeles Rams (road)
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Dallas Cowboys (home, away)
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Dallas Cowboys (home, away)
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New York Giants' 2026 opponents
Washington Commanders (home, away)
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New York Giants' 2026 opponents
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New York Giants' 2026 opponents
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New York Giants' 2026 opponents
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New York Giants' 2026 opponents
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New York Giants' 2026 opponents
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New York Giants' 2026 opponents
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New York Giants' 2026 opponents
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Detroit Lions (road)
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New York Giants' 2026 opponents
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New York Giants' 2026 opponents
Houston Texans (road)
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New York Giants' 2026 opponents
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New York Giants' 2026 opponents
Los Angeles Rams (road)
Should the Giants draft Jeremiyah Love if he's available here? Absolutely! Do that if the Titans don’t take my advice. If they do, however, it'll be time to make a smart pick. I know, that's not as fun. It’s like getting the chicken bowl at Islands instead of a burger: You might not want to do it, but you should.
This selection would provide an immediate upgrade to the offensive line. It would likely see Mauigoa shift inside, with Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor remaining at the two tackle spots. Over time, Mauigoa could develop into a long-term solution at right tackle once the Giants move on from Eluemunor, who will be 32 years old by the end of the 2026 season.
Mauigoa would likely improve both the running game and pass protection for quarterback Jaxson Dart heading into his second year in the league.
The Giants’ last two first-round selections of offensive linemen produced dramatically different results. The team struck gold with Andrew Thomas in 2020, while their most recent attempt, Evan Neal in 2022, turned out to be a bust.
Although the Giants have been heavily linked to a pair of Ohio State defenders—safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles—in recent mock drafts, this scenario prioritizes protecting their most valuable young asset with their first-round pick.
