Jason Burgos
In a perfect world, New York Giants decision-makers reportedly hope Jeremiyah Love is still on the board when they pick at No. 5 next week. However, if he isn’t, they have three backup plans in mind.
There has been a ton of speculation about what the Giants will do with the fifth overall pick in next week’s NFL Draft. Early mock drafts linked Big Blue to gifted Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. And new head coach John Harbaugh even called him a potential Hall of Famer when asked about selecting him with their pick in Round 1.
Yet, while the coach is a fan of Downs, it seems a different player is at the top of his wishlist. According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, “Coach Harbaugh and the Giants are especially high on Jeremiyah Love. If he’s available, it’s hard to see them passing up that opportunity.”
New York Giants prefer to trade back in Round 1
There have been previous reports that, despite having Cam Skattebo, the Giants brass were very interested in the Notre Dame running back and Heisman Trophy finalist. Unfortunately for New York, it is looking likely he will be taken at No. 4 by the Tennessee Titans. So what do they do if he is no longer available?
According to the Giants insider, Downs and his OSU teammate Sonny Styles are the other players “most squarely on their radar” with the fifth overall pick. Yet, selecting either at five is not considered an “ideal” scenario by Harbaugh and the front office.
“In an ideal world, the Giants would like to move back a few spots, add more picks (they have just two in the top 100), and draft a player like Caleb Downs. But that’s easier said than done,” Raanan reports.
In just under a week, Giants fans will find out which direction the team goes with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
