Giants news, 4/21: OBJ visits, Kayvon Thibodeaux, NFL Draft, more

“The main thing I noticed is that he and a lot of coaches are very clear on the identity of the team and what they’re trying to create,” linebacker Brian Burns told NJ.com. “They paint that picture very vividly so there is no gray area. It’s very black and white as to what they expect and what they want, which is how I like it. There’s no need for gray area because that just causes confusion.”

“He’s not really on that dictator-type, saying this is how it’s going to happen,” Burns said. “He’s pretty open-minded and he’s open to new methods. That’s all you can ask for in a head coach, just for him to hear you out. I’m glad he has that character and I’m glad that’s the type of person he is because that could take this team far in my eyes.”

Brian Burns on the Dexter Lawrence trade

Bengals’ pick gives Giants ammunition to move up | Pro Football Talk

But there’s one sound reason for having the tenth overall pick in hand as draft week begins. The Giants now have the ammunition to package the 10th and fifth picks together in an effort to move higher in round one. Obviously, they won’t be trying to go all the way to No. 1, since the Giants have their quarterback. No. 2 becomes a possibility, as does No. 3.

That’s not to say any deal would be as simple as, for instance, No. 5 and No. 10 for No. 2 or No. 3. The Giants likely would get more in return than an increase by two or three spots. Still, having the ability to give a team two top-10 picks in return for one becomes a valuable enticement. Either way, everyone knows the Giants now have two picks in the top 10. It’s possible that those picks could become the starting point for inching higher in the draft order.

NY Giants mock draft with two Top 10 picks after Dexter Lawrence trade | The Record

The time is now for the New York Giants, and the future is a whole lot clearer in some respects after the entire NFL was awakened just five days before the 2026 NFL Draft with the trade of Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, April 18.

While Lawrence is on to Cincinnati – hat tip Bill Belichick, of course – the Giants have two Top 10 picks for the second time in the last five years, providing John Harbaugh, Joe Schoen and Co. an opportunity to reshape this roster from the top. That’s sort of a must when one of the best players on the team wants out and that request is granted.

2026 NFL Draft Notes: Rumors and rumblings around the league | SNY.tv

Players believed to be near the top of New York’s board include linebacker Sonny Styles, Love, and safety Caleb Downs. Receiver Jordyn Tyson is also in consideration, though injury concerns could make him a risk at No. 5. Sources believe Love would be the pick if available, but that appears unlikely. One head coach was adamant the Giants’ pick is Downs. Another team selecting top 10 told SNY its scouts were under the impression they wanted Styles. Again: Uncertainty.

A trade remains something to monitor. The Giants, like Arizona and Tennessee, would be open to moving back, though little traction has developed. If the Jets select Reese, Love goes to Arizona and Styles to Tennessee, Bailey would be available at No. 5. Every source SNY spoke with agreed he is the top pass rusher in the class — a scenario that could prompt a team to trade up. The Giants would listen.

Ian O’Connor: Lawrence expressed no displeasure when he talked with Harbaugh

Albert Breer’s 2026 NFL Draft Needs for Every Team Reveal a Compelling Theme | SI.com

If they stick, Styles would make sense as the sort of field general middle ’backer John Harbaugh always seemed to have in Baltimore with Ray Lewis, C.J. Mosley and Roquan Smith. Yet more and more, you hear they may want to help out starting QB Jaxson Dart. And with WR Malik Nabers on the mend, Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson are very much on the radar. Harbaugh’s mention of the O-line as an area to improve does make Francis Mauigoa a consideration, though he’d likely have to start as a guard in New York (throwing the pick value question into the equation). With the 10th pick now part of the picture, Penn State guard Vega Ioane looms as a stylistic fit for Greg Roman’s run game. And I honestly haven’t heard Caleb Downs’ name connected to the Giants much, but he fits the need in Harbaugh’s defense for a heady, traffic-controlling safety.

OL back in play for Giants in first round | ESPN.com

Now armed with the fifth and 10th overall picks, the Giants have more options at the top of this year’s draft. That means offensive line is back in play as a realistic option in the first round, particularly with the 10th pick.

Utah’s Spencer Fano, Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane are fits. Fano is considered the safest offensive lineman in this draft while Mauigoa would’ve been the clear-cut top OL if not for some concerns about his back. Ioane is the consensus best guard.

New York Giants mock draft: Predicting the 10th pick after the Dexter Lawrence trade | The Athletic

Round 1, pick 5: Sonny Styles, ILB, Ohio State. This is the part of the draft process when every possible scenario gets floated, but I’m not backing off Styles, who has been linked to the Giants throughout the pre-draft process. He fits Harbaugh’s history of heavily investing in a top inside linebacker, and he has the intangibles to be a foundational piece for the team’s new culture.

Round 1, pick 10: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State. The Giants hosted the other top receivers in this class — Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and USC’s Makai Lemon — for pre-draft visits, so they clearly have interest in adding a top weapon for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. The Giants’ wide receiver room is shaky, especially with Malik Nabers recovering from a major knee injury. Tyson is viewed by some scouts as the most talented receiver in this class, but he has a concerning injury history.

Giants 4-Round Mock Draft: What Will New York Do With Its 2 Top-10 Picks? | FOX Sports

Round 1 (No. 5 overall): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State. One of Harbaugh’s top priorities was fixing the second-worst run defense in the NFL, and now he’s got a 340-pound (or more) hole to fill in the middle of it. He can’t fill all of it, but adding the athletic, speedy Sonny Styles up the middle would be a great way to start.

Round 1 (No. 10 overall): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State. The Giants already have a star-in-the-making in Malik Nabers, when he’s healthy, but it’s the No. 2 receiver that can really turn an offense into one that’s dynamic. And Jordyn Tyson would be the perfect complement — a strong, quick, 6-2, 203-pounder who can make the tough catches and draw the defense away from Nabers.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Jets reset on defense | PFF

5. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT Miami.  New head coach John Harbaugh is used to having excellent pass-blocking offensive lines. His Baltimore Ravens ranked third in team pass-blocking grade over the past decade. The Giants’ line last season was solid, ranking 11th in pass-blocking grade (71.1), but there is room for improvement. Mauigoa improved significantly as a pass blocker throughout his college career. He allowed fewer than one pressure per game in his final season, surrendering 15 pressures across 16 games.

6. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State. Several mocks have Styles going fifth overall to New York. His availability here would be an excellent scenario for the team. The Giants released their primary linebacker from last season, Bobby Okereke, while the other starter, Micah McFadden, missed nearly all of last season due to a foot injury. New York added Tremaine Edmunds, but it does not have a linebacker on the roster who has earned a PFF grade above 70.0 in any of the past three seasons. Styles spent his career at Ohio State, earning both a run-defense grade and a coverage grade above 85.0 in his final season.

Around the league

Eagles’ offseason workout program begins today without A.J. Brown in attendance | Bleeding Green Nation

Brandon Aubrey is the highest paid kicker in the NFL | Blogging the Boys

Chris Ballard: Daniel Jones is progressing really well, in a good spot | Pro Football Talk

Colts WR Alec Pierce sidelined for 3 months after ankle surgery | The Athletic

Patrick Mahomes attends start of Chiefs’ offseason program as he rehabs torn knee ligaments | NFL.com

Agency: 49ers, Trent Williams agree to two-year, $50M extension | ESPN.com

Trent Williams, 49ers agree to two-year extension | CBSSports.com

Sources: Free agent QB Jimmy Garoppolo considering retirement | ESPN.com

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