The Giants’ No. 5 NFL Draft pick favors Ohio State duo, but a surprise is possible

Sonny Styles (+200), linebacker

Sonny Styles entered Ohio State as a safety before transitioning to linebacker, and he could be the missing ingredient for a Giants front that’s heavy on pass-rushers. He led the Buckeyes in tackles last season, while starting all 14 games as a team captain. He is a fluid and powerful athlete who makes plays all over the field. He has good burst to collapse the pocket or close in space, and he rates well in man coverage. Listed at 6’5” and 244, Styles is larger than Kyle Hamilton, but posted similar or better numbers at the combine than Harbaugh’s old star safety with the Ravens. If he’s the pick for the Giants at No. 5, Styles could spend his rookie season learning alongside free agent acquisition Tremaine Edmunds before taking over as the face of the defense.

Caleb Downs (+260), safety

Caleb Downs led Alabama’s defense in tackles as a freshman before transferring to Ohio State and being named first-team All-American in consecutive seasons and winning the Jim Thorpe Award (nation’s top DB). He collected two interceptions in each of his three college seasons, and was a disruptive force who racked up pass break-ups and tackles for loss. Downs’ coaches and teammates laud his competitiveness and leadership skills, and he learned what it takes to make it to the NFL from watching his dad and his brother Josh, who plays wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. If he’s taken by the Giants at No. 5, Downs could bring stability to a secondary that has had a hole at safety ever since trading Xavier McKinney to the Packers in 2024.

Options on Offense

**Francis Mauigoa (+550)** started at offensive tackle in all 42 games during his three seasons with the Miami Hurricanes, and he showed good footwork and consistency in a frame nearly identical to Penei Sewell. There’s some question about his long-term future as a tackle or a guard, but Mauigoa has a really high floor and would immediately help Jaxson Dart’s ability to stay upright. As Notre Dame’s lead running back, **Jeremiyah Love (+600)** showed the vision, wiggle, and power to be a true offensive centerpiece and heir apparent to former Giants standout Saquon Barkley. Love powers through contact, explodes through run lanes, and glides away from defenders in the open field. **Jordan Tyson (+800)**, receiver from Arizona State, has seen his odds of going No. 5 spike from +1600 over the weekend. He has all of the traits, skills, and intangibles to be the draft’s best receiver, but injuries plagued his college career and raise questions about his durability. **Carnell Tate (+950)** is the latest in the long line of Ohio State receivers expected to make an immediate impact in the NFL, and he’s a polished runner and catcher who can beat defenders with his speed or his hands at the catch point. Despite the recent movement on Jordan Tyson, Tate has been rated as the draft’s top wide receiver prospect the most consistently throughout the offseason process.