Andrew Buller-Russ
There’s a new vibe inside the New York Giants‘ building after officially moving on from Brian Daboll and replacing the former head coach with the legendary John Harbaugh. After making several perceived roster upgrades, the Giants are once again looked upon as a potential contender.
Yet, they also boast the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, which means the Giants are in line to add a blue-chip prospect to the roster. Many projections have the Giants adding a defender to help address a scoring unit that ranked 26th in points allowed in 2025, but that may not be the case after all.
Recently, The Ringer’s Todd McShay did an updated mock draft in which he had the Giants selecting Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 5. He justified the selection by explaining that the Giants are one of the “most likely” teams to select Love in the top 10 of the draft.
However, he also named the Commanders and Chiefs, while adding that a team like the Rams could always trade up too. The Rams hold the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Commanders pick seventh and the Chiefs ninth.
“I’m not fully convinced this is the pick. Pairing Sonny Styles with recently signed LB Tremaine Edmunds could be tempting for the Giants, and I like Caleb Downs here as well. But league intel suggests the Giants are one of the most likely teams to take Love in the top 10 (along with the Commanders and Chiefs, or possibly a team like the Rams in a trade up). If you’re drafting a back this high, he needs to be a weapon—and Love is. With excellent speed (4.36 40), natural hands, and a real route-running ability, he gives Jaxson Dart a true explosive outlet.”
The Ringer’s Todd McShay on Giants/Jeremiyah Love
While the Giants just spent a fourth-round selection on running back Cam Skattebo last season, the rookie still finished fourth on the team in rushing yards, just behind fellow rookie Jaxson Dart. Skattebo may very well be a long-term building block, but many feel his presence shouldn’t prevent the Giants from adding a potential superstar like Love at the position too.
Related: 5 Christian Wilkins Landing Spots for 2026
