Jason Burgos
A new rumor suggests the New York Giants are all for trading down or out of Round 1 in April’s NFL Draft despite having the fifth overall pick in the event.
The only pro of having a terrible season in the NFL is that it means a team will have a premium pick in the opening round of the draft. After finishing 4- 13 in 2025, the NY Giants played their way into getting the No. 5 pick in next month’s event. The suffering of fans last season now offers the team a major opportunity.
A top-five pick gives a franchise the chance to select a player who can be a cornerstone of their roster for at least the next five years. In 2026, there are some very good prospects available, and the players that have been linked to the NY Giants the most in recent weeks are Ohio State stars Caleb Downs and Carnell Tate, and Heisman Trophy finalist Jeremiyah Love.
All of them have the potential to be impact players in the years to come. However, there are many football evaluators who believe the 2027 class of prospects is even better. And that is a reason why the NY Giants would be open to giving up the No. 5 pick.
NY Giants would trade out of the No. 5 pick to get 2027 NFL Draft assets
“Absolutely, if they could,” SNY NFL insider Connor Hughes wrote in response to a fan question on if the team might trade down in Round 1. “Recouping additional draft capital this year — or in a much more talent-rich class in 2027 — would be right up [John] Harbaugh’s alley. It’s just hard to see that happening.”
Trading out of a top-five pick might frustrate some Big Blue fans. However, the strategy makes sense because the team could use long-term impact players at quite a few positions. Yet, Hughes also revealed why getting more assets in next year’s event could prove difficult.
“Teams are already holding onto every piece of the 2027 draft they can,” he wrote. “You could maybe get something in this year’s class, but to move down, someone needs to come up. There really aren’t many players worth doing that for.”
If the NY Giants were to give up such a major pick, they would likely need a serious return. It seems like another first or second-rounder next year would be that return. If that opportunity arises, it seems the team could be persuaded to trade out of Round 1 if the draft return has 2027 as the date.
