The New York Giants hold the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, marking their fifth top-five selection in nine years. General Manager Joe Schoen will once again be responsible for selecting a top prospect as the team aims to improve after struggling to be a playoff contender.
For the fifth time in nine years, the New York Giants own a top-five pick in the NFL draft, and for the third time in five years, general manager Joe Schoen will be the one to hand in the draft card.
The Giants own the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, one year after owning the No. 3 pick and two years after having the No. 6 overall pick. Schoen will get another swing at selecting one of the class's top prospects early in the draft.
Big Blue has struggled to be a consistent NFL playoff contender in the years since its last Super Bowl championship. The Giants' last playoff appearance was in 2022. Before that, they hadn't been to the postseason since 2016 or won a playoff game since their Super Bowl 46 victory after the 2011 season.
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New York isn't just barely missing the playoffs either. The Giants have "earned" those handful of top-five picks in the last decade by consistently finishing among the worst teams in pro football.
Schoen met with reporters on April 14 as he prepares for another draft, with the Giants on the clock early. Here's everything he said about the No. 5 overall pick this year:
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The Giants and Lawrence have engaged in conversations. According to Schoen, the conversations are both fluid and productive.
"We've had good conversations with his representatives throughout the last five or six days," Schoen said. "Trying to find a resolution. I'll echo what coach said last week, we'd like for Dexter to be here. At some point we'll come to a resolution here. Whatever that may be, we'll see. But conversations have been really good. They've been productive. We'll see what happens here down the road."
Schoen went on to say he'll continue to pick up the phone if teams call.
"I'm always gonna pick up the phone if a team calls," Schoen said.
Lawrence, who is unhappy with his current contract situation, requested a trade this offseason, a person familiar with the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Multiple teams are interested in the defensive tackle's services.
DEXTER LAWRENCE: Best trade fits for Giants DT
The Giants' general manager discussed his draft philosophy entering the 2026 draft. Schoen and the Giants drafted the best player available when they selected edge rusher Abdul Carter No. 3 overall in the 2025 draft despite not having a glaring need at the position. Schoen plans to use the same approach in next week's draft.
"Ideally they line up," Schoen said. "If you look at what we did with Abdul... We're going through, we're going to stack the board, the best player available is the direction we'll go."
This year's draft isn't considered strong at many premium positions. Schoen told reporters that the makeup of this year's class and positional value are part of their selection process.
"Maybe it's not the surplus/higher paying positions when you get into free agency, but they may be the best players in this draft. Where we are roster-wise, being in a position to take best player available regardless of position," Schoen said. "When you look at the fifth pick, what that player's gonna make. Where do they slot in at APY right off the bat? You'd like to get surplus value, that may not be the case this year which is fine."
The Giants' general manager revealed he's received "a couple of calls" from teams interested in moving up.
"At some point there's a (Fernando) Mendoza line, where maybe there's a dropoff. The player at 8 may be the same type of player that you can get at 18...We've gotten a couple calls about teams sniffing around about potentially coming up. Again, we'll just have to wait and see who's there when we pick. I don't see us moving back before next Thursday night."
There are numerous reports that this year's draft could feature multiple trades, including in the first round.
The Giants own the No. 5 overall pick in this year's draft. Love has become a player mocked to the Giants. The Notre Dame product is the consensus best running back in this year's draft.
"We like our running back room now," Schoen said. "We'll see what happens on draft night, but like the room the way it's constructed."
Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary are currently New York's top three running backs. Tracy led the Giants in rushing last year. Skattebo played well in his rookie year, but his season was cut short because of a gruesome ankle injury.
Schoen was complimentary of what he saw from Love on tape.
"Certainly an offensive weapon," Schoen said of Love.
Ohio State products Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs are two players the Giants have high on their draft board, Schoen said when asked about the two players.
"Those are really good football players. We like all these guys, but you got to pick one. A couple of them are gonna be there. We're working on stacking that right now. Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs, talk about a talented defense, we watched a lot of Ohio State defensive film last couple of months -- a lot of good football players from top to bottom on that defense," Schoen said. "Those are two of the key players on that defense that we looked at. Certainly guys we talked a lot about and think very highly of."
Schoen said that he and new head coach John Harbaugh are on the same page ahead of the 2026 draft. The Giants GM said it's going to be a "collaborative effort," and early returns are "great" as the Giants put the finishing touches on their draft board.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What did Giants GM Joe Schoen say at his pre-draft press conference?
The No. 5 pick represents the Giants' opportunity to select one of the top prospects, as it is their fifth top-five selection in nine years.
The Giants have had a top-five pick five times in the last nine years.
The Giants last made the playoffs in 2022, and they have not won a playoff game since their Super Bowl victory in 2011.
Joe Schoen is the current general manager of the New York Giants, responsible for the team's draft selections.
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