The New York Giants plan to select the best player available with their No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, according to general manager Joe Schoen. This strategy indicates a focus on talent over positional needs.
New York Giants intend to take 'best player available' in 2026 NFL draft
The New York Giants are prepared to select the best players available with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
At his pre-draft press conference on Tuesday, Giants general manager Joe Schoen stated that the franchise is ready to take the best player on the board, regardless of position, at No. 5 overall.
“We're going through the process, we're going to stack the board, and the best player available is the direction we'll go,” Schoen said.
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Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, linebacker Sonny Styles, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love are the three prospects most frequently projected to the Giants in this year’s draft class.
The Giants have vacancies in their receiving corps as well as their linebacker unit, which could call for the selection of a player like Tate or Styles.
However, similar to the way the Giants selected Abdul Carter at No. 3 overall in 2025 despite already having Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux at outside linebacker, the best available talent will take precedence over positional need on Day 1 of the draft—even with New York’s crowded running back room that includes Tyrone Tracy Jr., Cam Skattebo, and Devin Singletary.
"(We) like the running back room the way it is constructed right now," Schoen said before adding more about Love. "He's an offensive weapon. He's not just a running back. He can play on third down; you can split him out. He can catch the ball."
Love will be considered among the other prospects at No. 5 overall.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants intend to take 'best player available' in 2026 NFL draft
The general manager of the New York Giants is Joe Schoen.
The New York Giants have the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
The Giants intend to select the best player available, regardless of position.
The Giants announced their draft strategy during a pre-draft press conference on Tuesday.
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