The New York Giants now hold two top-10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft after trading defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 overall selection.
With the trade finalized over the weekend, the Giants moved up from No. 5 and added a second premium pick, reshaping their draft strategy just days before Round 1 begins on Thursday night. General manager Joe Schoen confirmed the team will select the best player available regardless of position, a shift from recent years when premium roles like quarterback or edge rusher dominated early rounds.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. Updated his two-round mock draft to reflect the new order, projecting the Giants to take Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 5. Kiper called Downs “the first safety taken in the top five since Eric Berry in 2010” and praised his instincts alongside returning Pro Bowl safety Jevon Holland.
At No. 10, Kiper has the Giants selecting Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, a 42-game starter praised for his pass protection and versatility to play inside, where Kiper sees a Pro Bowl ceiling. Mauigoa would bolster a line that lost Lawrence and allowed a league-high 5.3 yards per carry last season.
In the second round, Kiper projects the Giants to take Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald at No. 37, noting his 17 run stops and 3.5 sacks as a direct replacement for Lawrence’s interior presence. McDonald, listed at 6-2 and 326 pounds, is described as a run-stopper with untapped pass-rush potential.
The New York Times outlined a post-trade top 10 mini-mock, listing the Raiders taking Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1, the Jets selecting Ohio State edge Arvell Reese at No. 2, and the Cardinals grabbing Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey at No. 3. The Titans are projected to take Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 4.
For more on this story, see 3 New York Giants Players Who Could Be Traded in 2026 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love remains in play for the Giants at No. 5, despite speculation he could go as high as No. 3 to the Cardinals or No. 4 to the Titans. Love averaged 6.9 yards per carry over the past two seasons and is graded similarly to Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley coming out of college.
Coach John Harbaugh endorsed Love as a “very, very good player” who fits his vision of a dominant running team, even as Schoen called him an “offensive weapon” due to his receiving ability and third-down versatility. Still, multiple league sources believe Love may not be available when the Giants pick.
The Giants’ decision to trade Lawrence — a 28-year-old All-Pro — signals a win-now mindset for the Bengals, who are looking to maximize Joe Burrow’s window. For New York, the move clears cap space and adds draft capital as they enter John Harbaugh’s first season.
With premium talent spread across non-traditional positions — running back, safety, and linebacker — the Giants face a rare scenario where the best player available may not come from a traditionally premium spot. Schoen acknowledged this, saying the team won’t rule out any position at the top.
This follows our earlier report, Lee Jung-hoo vs Giants: Mets Game Live – April 3rd | SPOTV MLB.
Will the Giants take a running back with the fifth pick?
Jeremiyah Love is expected to be part of the conversation at No. 5, but multiple league sources believe he will be off the board by the time the Giants pick, possibly going to the Cardinals or Titans.
How does trading Dexter Lawrence affect the Giants’ defensive line?
Trading Lawrence creates a void in the interior defensive line, which allowed 5.3 yards per carry last season; the Giants plan to address it with Mauigoa at tackle and McDonald at defensive tackle in the second round.
What is Francis Mauigoa’s projected role with the Giants?
Mauigoa is projected to start at offensive tackle but could play inside, where Mel Kiper sees a Pro Bowl ceiling, and he would help open rushing lanes for running backs Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Why did the Bengals trade for Dexter Lawrence?
The Bengals traded for the 28-year-old All-Pro defensive tackle to strengthen their interior defense and maximize Joe Burrow’s championship window after several seasons of inconsistent drafting.
