The 2026 NFL Draft is closing in, and there are plenty of rumors about which players will be selected where. One team a lot of people are talking about is the New York Giants. They hold the fifth overall pick, and they could go a multitude of ways with their first selection.
It is the first season for John Harbaugh in New York, and he has his work cut out for him to rebuild the Giants’ roster.
Much of the discussion around the Giants’ pick is about the Ohio State Buckeyes in the draft. Those are Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, and Carnell Tate. All three are expected to be available at the fifth overall pick.
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If you look across some of the best defenses in the NFL, you will see quality linebacker play. Although the position is not as highly valued as others across the league, having smart linebackers, especially in the middle, will help the entire defense.
That is where Styles comes in; he is the best linebacker prospect in the draft and seemingly a lock for the top 10.
NFL analyst Albert Breer talked about why the Giants will strongly consider Styles with the fifth pick.
He said, “John Harbaugh over the years, whether it was Ray Lewis, C.J. Mosley, or Roquon Smith, he’s always had this kind of battleship commander, middle linebacker. So when you look at Sonny Styles, you see him in that sort of role within this Giants defense.”
Breer also mentioned, “I think they are wide open with the fifth pick and also open to moving down.”
Last season, the Giants struggled on defense, and one of their main issues was a lack of quality players. According to PFSN’s NFL Defense impact metrics, the Giants posted a 69.7 impact score last season, ranking 23rd in the NFL.
Just about everything within the Giants will change heading into 2026. That is usually the case when a new coach is hired. Harbaugh brought in Dennard Wilson as defensive coordinator; he comes over from the Tennessee Titans.
So, what are the Giants’ expectations for the 2026 season?
The hiring of Harbaugh was a “win-now” move by the Giants. He is already 63 years old and expects to bring the Giants back into contention.
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Also, quarterback Jaxson Dart’s play last season has many Giants fans excited about the future.
There is no guarantee the Giants will reach the lofty expectations set for them in 2026. However, this is the first time in a while that the buzz around Big Blue is palpable.
