The New York Giants are poised for a strong 2026 NFL Draft after trading Dexter Lawrence, holding two top-10 picks. They aim to secure key talent to kickstart the John Harbaugh Era.
Key points
Giants hold two top-10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft
Dexter Lawrence trade enables strategic draft positioning
Caleb Downs and Olaivavega Ioane are top prospects
Focus on improving safety and offensive line positions
John Harbaugh Era begins with a strong draft strategy
Mentioned in this story
NFL
New York Giants
The Giants know how important the upcoming draft is when it comes to getting the John Harbaugh Era started off right. The Dexter Lawrence trade officially puts them in position to do just that.
The New York Giants are now major players heading into the 2026 NFL Draft thanks to Saturday eveningās Dexter Lawrence trade.
Itās because the Giants have not one, but two picks in the top-10 of the draft after coming to an agreement with the Cincinnati Bengals. Sitting pretty at Nos. 5 and 10 allows the Giants to stockpile some of the draftās top talent at multiple positions. Itās something desperately needed for the fresh start under John Harbaugh.
Below is the list of Giants draft picks following the Dexter Lawrence trade:
Round 1, No. 5 overall
Round 1, No. 10 overall
Round 2, No. 37 overall
Round 4, No. 105 overall
Round 5, No. 146 overall
Round 6, No. 186 overall
Round 6, No. 192 overall
Round 6, No. 193 overall
All of a sudden, that missing third-rounder is no longer a talking point. Regardless, letās dive into our final Giants mock draft now that the Dexter Lawrence trade is on the books.
New York Giants' final 2026 mock draft after the Dexter Lawrence trade
Round 1, No. 5 overall: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates a tackle with defensive end Caden Curry (92) and safety Jaylen McClain (18) during the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Man, the Giants have really set themselves up for success in the draft after the Dexter Lawrence trade.
Thatās because there will plenty of players still on the board that make sense at five, but should also be there at 10. In this instance, we know safety doesnāt top the list of premium positions. Regardless, Downs transcends that conversation and with the top-3 receivers, top cornerbacks, and top guard still on the board, this went from a tough pick to a no-brainer after some thought.
and are the incumbents at safety for the Giants, but both players have yet to show the on-field consistency or impact that would convince New York to pass on Downs.
The former Buckeye immediately improves the safety room and also gives the Giants a long-term foundational piece on defense. Downsā abilities to work in the box or in centerfield and in any coverage make him a chess piece thatās perfect for Dennard Wilsonās system. No one is saying heās the next , but he can be used as such, which is obviously a major asset to have on a football team.
Downs is one of the draftās safest bets and itās highly unlikely heād be there at No. 10. In any other draft, No. 5 might be *a bit too hig*h, but it works in 2026 and thatās all that matters.
***Top players left at 5:***Ā Notre Dame Fighting Irish RB Jeremiyah Love, G Olaivavega Ioane, CB Mansoor Delane, Arizona State Wildcats WR Jordan Tyson, Ohio State Buckeyes WR Carnell Tate
Q&A
What picks do the Giants have in the 2026 NFL Draft after the Dexter Lawrence trade?
The Giants have the 5th and 10th overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, along with additional picks in the second, fourth, and sixth rounds.
Who are the top prospects the Giants might select with their first-round picks?
The Giants are considering Caleb Downs, a safety from Ohio State, and Olaivavega Ioane, a guard from Penn State, for their first-round selections.
How does the Dexter Lawrence trade impact the Giants' draft strategy?
The trade allows the Giants to acquire two top-10 picks, enabling them to target high-impact players and address critical positions for a fresh start under John Harbaugh.
What positions are the Giants focusing on in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Giants are focusing on safety and offensive line, with Caleb Downs and Olaivavega Ioane identified as key targets to strengthen their roster.
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates a tackle with defensive end Caden Curry (92) and safety Jaylen McClain (18) during the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Round 1, No. 10 overall: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane (71) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane (71) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Giants stay in the Big Ten with their second pick of the first round and this time itās Ioane. Heās the top guard in the draft and once again, one of the safest picks. Now, the Giants have two bonafide impact rookies and long-term starters at important positions thanks to the Dexter Lawrence trade.
Granted, I did pass up on Jeremiyah Love, who was still there, somehow, at 10. The logic behind that decision was this: Love is a great player, but heās not going to do squat if the offensive line canāt open up holes.
Enter Ioane, who is an absolute mauler in the run game and provides solid pass protection with room to grow. Heās a boon for Matt Nagyās more gap-style rushing attack and should continue moving bodies at the NFL level.
Thereās a very good chance the board falls like this on Thursday and itāll be an absolute win for the Giants if it does.
***Top players left at 10***:Ā Notre Dame Fighting Irish RB Jeremiyah Love, Tennessee Volunteers CB Jermod McCoy, Oregon Ducks TE Kenyon Sadiq, Arizona State Wildcats WR Jordan Tyson, USC Trojans WR Makai Lemon
Round 2, No. 37 overall: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Aug 26, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs cornerback Chris Johnson (21) celebrates after a stop against the Ohio Bobcats during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs cornerback Chris Johnson (21) celebrates after a stop against the Ohio Bobcats during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Personally, I think Chris Johnson is the best cornerback in this class and a future Pro Bowler. Landing him, along with the previous two picks, gives the Giants three potential Pro Bowlers in this scenario.
Thereās not a lot Johnson *canāt* do. He can play both inside and outside and in zone coverage or press-man. Heās a big, long, fluid corner who has great technique and plays with good discipline. Johnson would immediately come in and compete with Greg Newsome on the outside and possibly even Dru Phillips on the inside.
Johnsonās biggest issues are covering speed and challenging bigger receivers at the catch point on most occasions. Still, the ceiling is sky-high and Wilson should find a path for Johnson to thrive in New York.
***Top players left at 37:***Ā Louisville WR Chris Bell, Tennessee Volunteers CB Colton Hood, Alabama Crimson Tide DL Christen Miller, Texas Tech Red Raiders DL Lee Hunter, Indiana Hoosiers CB DāAngelo Ponds
Round 4, No. 105 overall: Justin Joly, TE, North Carolina State
The Giants select Justin Joly with the 105th overall pick in the draft after the Dexter Lawrence trade.
Oct 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (7) catches the ball for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesCharles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Ideally, a true X receiver wouldāve been the pick, here, but the only available player that fit the bill was DeāZhaun Stribling and 105 was too high for him.
Therefore, snagging an explosive āmoveā tight end in Joly was the next best option. Heās a nice complement to Isaiah Likely and gives the Giants two athletic, versatile tight ends who can create mismatches against opposing defenses.
If Joly can improve his route running, he could quickly become one of the more underrated picks of both the Giantsā draft and the draft as a whole.
***Top players left at 105:***Ā Stanford Cardinal TE Sam Roush, Florida State Seminoles DL Darrell Jackson Jr., Texas A&M Aggies DL Tyler Onyedim, Missouri Tigers DL Chris McClellan, Ole Miss Rebels WR DeāZhaun Stribling
Rounds 5-7
**Round 5, No. 146 overall:** Chris McClellan, DL, Missouri Tigers
Many are wondering if the Giantsā draft class will include a potential Dexter Lawrence replacement after the trade. McClellan wonāt become the superstar Lawrence was, but he has the size and ability to help ease the loss. He has the size and strength at 6-foot-4, 323 pounds, plus extremely heavy and violent hands to warrant a rotational role, at minimum, in the early goings.
Brown is an absolute blazer, running a 4.28 forty during the offseason. He could immediately factor into the Giantsā return game, where he was an All-SEC specialist in 2025.
Kamara earned the CFP championship defensive MVP award thanks to a blocked punt and four total tackles and his overall body of work reflects a high-motor, explosive pass rusher whose best work will come through subpackages in the NFL. Thereās a lot to work on, but the upside is there.
**Round 6, No. 193 overall:** CJ Daniels, WR, Miami
Thereās nothing āspecialā about Daniels, but his overall skillset and production warrants a draft pick, especially later on. Heās more of a ābig slotā possession receiver, but the Giants could definitely use a receiver of his caliber.
Final grade for Giants mock draft after Dexter Lawrence trade
The biggest ādingsā were Ioane and Joly. I have to highly disagree with the āCā given for the Ioane pick. Although, I will have to say I turned down a trade offer from the Buccaneers that wouldāve given the Giants the 77th and 116th overall picks in order to move up from 15 to 10. The logic behind the denial is another team couldāve swooped in and snagged Ioane. For a player like him, the gamble wasnāt worth it.
I can understand the āCā given for the Joly pick, to an extent. Everything else was either a āBā or higher:
Overall, though, I think the Giants would be ecstatic to reel in a haul like this one. Weāll see if it shakes out like this in less than a week.
