Mar 29, 2026
3 min read
This first round result shouldn't happen, and certainly won't, but it did here.
We are less than a month away from the 2026 NFL Draft.This means that the situation is getting worse.However, there is little time to play in any of the potential draft positions of the New York Giants and John Harbaugh as coach.
New York Giants - Round Mock Draft: A trade to New York yields spectacular results.
This result of the 1st round should not happen, and almost never will, but it has here.
With that in mind, we're playing a yet-to-be-played scenario this round.I'm using Pro Football and Sports Network Simulator, which gives me a large "consensus" board of player options.Previous weekly drafts were four rounds, but this one is a full six rounds.
Let's get started.
Round 1 (No. 5) - COMMERCE !!
Giants Available: Picks 9 and 29 in Round 1 (Value available on Rich Hill Trading Card: 589 points)
Kansas City Chiefs get: 5th pick (value submitted by Chiefs: 468 points)
This isn't the first time I've traded up to No. 9 with the Chiefs in one of these mock drafts.This is the first time I've gotten both of Kansas City's first-round picks back.
Linebacker Sonny Stiles, defensive end Caleb Downs, cornerback Mansoor Delaney, wide receiver Cornell Tate and offensive lineman Francis Maugwa were on the board at No. 5.Jeremiah Love is already over.Picking styles would be a no-brainer, and I'd probably do that in real life.However, it's a scenario, so I'll trade up and play it.
The Chiefs signed wide receiver Reuben Bain Jr. after moving up to No. 1.5.
1st Round (#9) - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
I'm surprised to see Styles still on board at #9.I was tempted to restart the project when this happened, as I think it's highly unlikely, but this was the second time I've dealt with a sales scenario in the past few days and Styles fell to me.I could not refuse the gift.
Here's what happened in picks six through nine:
No. 6 (Bruin) - WR Makai Lemon
#7 (Team Lagtachid) - S Caleb Downs
8. zenbakia (Saints) - CB Mansoor Delane
I would have been happy with Downs or Delane here.To be honest, I probably would have slept well landing Tate, Mauigoa or even Ioane in this spot.Few styles And an extra first-round pick is a home run.Why did the simulator give Lemon to the Browns?No idea, except it's a simulator.
Todd McShay of The Ringer lists Styles as the No. 1 prospect.2 on your big board.Here's an excerpt from McShay's scouting report:
Styles checks all the boxes when it comes to intangibles, production, upside and tape, and he has the frame and traits to make a bigger impact as an edge rusher in the NFL than he did in college.
He has a rare combination of size, speed and athletic ability.His 40 times, 10-yard split, vertical jump and broad jump ranked first or tied for first among all linebackers combined. His 43.5-inch vertical jump was the highest by an off-ball linebacker at the combine since 2003. He's tall enough to see in the backfield, which helps him find and track the ball, and he has great range.
He knocks back blockers when playing downhill and has long arms to keep him out of his frame.He holds his ground when teams run at him.He can still improve getting off his blocks once he's engaged, but he's shown he can shake them off in time to make a play. He's a powerful tackler who meets ball carriers and wraps up in the hole, and he reduced his missed tackles in 2025.He closes well when running deep and off the rim.He conquers running rugby.He can win with his hands and flash speed to power.
Style is one of the top five prospects in this class, and has a chance to be the first player taken in the top five since the 2019 draft. Tampa Bay selected Devin White fifth.
Styles is a plug-and-play launcher with All-Pro potential.
other players considered: WR Carnell Tate;WR Jordan Tyson;OL Francis Mauigoa;G Vega Ioane
1st round (No. 29) - Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana
Early in the draft process, I didn't really think of Cooper as a passable player early.He's 37. Still.We're right here with him and the board, and his choice makes sense.
Cooper is ranked No. 26 on the NFL Mock Draft Database Big Board.McShay has No. 17, a former Indiana Hoosier, on his big board.McShay says:
A versatile, mid-sized receiver with inside flexibility, Cooper is extremely competitive, tough and reliable, and excels at generating yards after the catch.Shows good, but not elite, speed on the tape.What really stands out is his combination of lower body strength, contact balance and body control.He has excellent ball skills, with just five sacks in three seasons, and isn't afraid to work over the middle.
… an excellent runner who knows how to tackle powerful defensive backs and routes.He also shows a natural ability to find space in coverage ... His combination of lower-body strength and body control makes him difficult to target after he's caught scores—he forced 27 missed tackles in 2025. ... Cooper is one of the top five WRs in the 2026 draft.He'll probably come off the board in the middle of Round 1 behind Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson... He reminds me of the speedy Jarvis Landry.
The Giants have Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin to back up Malik Nabers.It's possible, however, that none of these players will stick with the Giants beyond the 2026 season. Getting a player who can develop into a reliable second catcher seems like a good idea.
Other players considered: CB Colton Hood;CB Brandon Cisse;Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Round 2 (Number 37) - TRADE!!
Giants get: Picks 40 and 109 (Round 4) |Received value per Rich Hill trading chart: 179 points)
Men can: Select 37 and 193 |Value sent to Chiefs: 167 points
Yes, the Chiefs have been called back.And I once again obliged.I don't know if that's realistic, but I do know that dropping a few spots and adding another mid-round pick in 2026 would be amazing for the Giants.Remember, there is no third choice.
Wednesday-2 (No. 40) - Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
Almost every time I do a mock draft, I force myself to pick a guard in round 2. By now, it's become muscle memory.
Sometimes I choose Oregon's Pregon.Sometimes I pick Chase Bistonis from Texas A&M.Bisontis seems to be higher on many big boards than Pregnon, but I like Pregnon's power.
A solid, wide body protector with the power, length and reliability to be a plug-and-play starter.
Pregnon is a strong, powerfully built and highly skilled prospect who has the potential to be a starter in the pros.Committed to Oregon in 2025 after stops at USC and Wyoming, he's a four-year starter with more than 3,000 career snaps — the vast majority of them at left guard (and one season at right guard).Pregnon blocks a wide, balanced base and gets his feet moving to mirror and react to the rush.He hits a powerful shot that shocks his opponents, and he uses his hands to prevent swinging passes and firmly grips the server's chest.He throws a heavy anchor and fights off the blitzers as they try to get through his gap.Shows excellent trick awareness and reacts quickly, with a sense to help under center or tackle when not covered;she clenches and holds out a support arm until she has to break away to pick up someone in front of her.Over the past three seasons, he has surrendered just one sack per 1,536 pass blocks.In the run game, he comes out of position with good leverage and plenty of pop.cuts out belts.Shows the ability to sustain blocks with strong hands to grab and control the opponent at the point of attack.
In.vacuum, do you prefer Bison or Pregnon?
Other players considered: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech;Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State;Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas;Chase Bisontes, OG, Texas A&M
Rona 4 (No. 105) - Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
One of my favorite cornerbacks in this class and a good mid-price value here in need.A big, physical quarterback who could fit what the Giants are looking for with Harbaugh and Dennard Wilson.
Here is the PFSN scouting report:
Julian Neal was one of the standouts in the 2025 regular season, and he has now been positioned as an intriguing Day 2 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds, Neal has the athletic size sought after among NFL teams and has a very good personality with his profile.Despite his size, Neal has impressive explosiveness, reactive athleticism, and profile, and can use speed and hip fluidity to mirror the WR-man's routes in the press as well as out of the zone.
He is an effective player at the catch point and is very reliable in run support, able to reset the bases, draw blocks, and play stops on his own.He may lack vertical quickness and rotational flexibility, and his footwork is still improving, all of which make him vulnerable to big plays when his recovery slows — but other than that, there aren't many holes in his game to fill.For a capable long and fast cover, Nil has quality starting ability.
Other candidates: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington.Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State.Jaron Kilgore, South Carolina.Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri.Isaiah World, Oregon
Full 4 (No. 109) - Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri
I would have liked to have addressed the defensive line earlier, but I didn't see the good value.Chris Pflum of Big Blue View would probably support this pick.In his McClellan Prospect Profile, Chris wrote:
McClellan projects as a rotational defensive end with ability to scheme and triple at the NFL level.He can play in 2, 3 or 4 front, as well as a 2-way tackler or a disruptive penetration.
He may not be at his best, but he can be a complete team tackler against individuals, control multiple passes and explode plays in the backfield.McClellan has the ability to be a primary defensive link and contribute on every down or maybe even "down," but he needs to improve the consistency of his tools to reach his ceiling.
If he can improve his stability at pad level and hand use, he can be a good starter who can move someone in the NFL.
The 6-foot-3, 313-pound McClellan is No. 97 on McShay's Big Board.
other players considered: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington; Jaylon Kilgore, SC, South Carolina;Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
Round 5 (No. 145) - Tim Keenan, DT, Alabama
No, I wasn't going to draft a defensive back.It just turned out that I thought Kenen was the best value on the table for the Giants here.
If you've been reading my articles every week, you know that right now one of my beliefs is that the Giants need a better nose tackle than D.J.Davidson to help the defense in the absence of Dexter Lawrence.That's the role I envision for the 6-foot-6, 327-pound Keenan.
Sports Information Solutions:
Tim Cannon III projects as a backup nose tackle in a 3-4 base defense who will best rely on two-gaps against the run, but can lean into a 3-tech in a 4-man front.Against the run, he shows good anchoring to sit at the point of attack and block running lanes.He can block and take advantage against double teams to not give up much ground.He has the flexibility and tenacity to recover from awkward positions and rarely comes up pushed to the ground.Has active strength to clear blockers and make tackles.Not great passing ability.His lack of arm length limits his ability to keep offensive linemen off their pads and on their feet.His hand usage is minimal and he doesn't offer many pass rushes other than bull rushes to try to get inside the pocket.He has the athleticism to use on stunts and shows some speed when he has clear lanes to pressure the QB.
In the video below you'll notice that Keenan also has his own version of the Sexy Dexy dance.
Round 6 (No. 186) — Travis Burke;OTMemphis
There's nothing wrong with taking a late flight from an offensive linemanDo you think the 6-foot-8¾, 325-pound guy might catch Harbaugh's attention?
Burke is a player the Giants have met with and should have excellent information as former Giant David Diehl is the assistant offensive line coach in Memphis.
Sports Info Solutions says:
Travis Burke projects as a backup safety who is better suited as a tight end blocker in a power run scheme.He has a massive body and very long arms, but needs to add strength in his upper and lower body.While he has natural athleticism, his movements sometimes lack the fluidity needed for consistent play.As a pass defender, Burke uses his length well, measuring a reliable shot to keep defenders at bay.His hand placement needs better consistency, highlighted by numerous career penalties.His vertical drop is sufficient, though he is vulnerable to quick perimeter rushes and counter moves.Its fixation has improved, while maintaining the ability to increase mass.
In the run game, he uses his frame to catch the POA as a sell blocker.He shows zone-blocking awareness, but lacks the flow to work cleanly at the second level.Burke is a willing, aggressive finisher whose goal is to bury defenders.He struggles to make impactful drives off the line, instead relying on combo blocking and finishing in open lanes.While he also has experience at the two tackles spot, his weakness against speed rushers and their advanced counters limits his projection to precision right now.
Round 6 (No. 192) – Adam Randall, running back, Clemson
This is a coup for Chris, who told me long ago that he would "never pick" Randall if the 6-foot-3, 232-pound back was available in the sixth round of the mock draft.
In his prospect profile, Chris wrote:
Adam Randle is raw as a running back and has only limited tape at the position.This may lower his draft stock, but it could also make him a hidden gem and a steal for the team that takes him.
Randall has great size, excellent vision, and the athleticism to make full use of that vision.Also, he has enough speed to break on the run when he can find the field.Additionally, his athleticism as a wide receiver makes him a dangerous weapon out of the backfield.Randall is simply too big - and his contact balance is too good - for off-ball linemen and defensive backs to easily bring him down.
He clearly still needs development, but Randle has real upside for a team that invests in him.
Randall is a rookie and former wide receiver, but his combination of size, top speed and pass-catching ability make him exciting.An accurate distance runner with one-cut speed and home run ability.He does not run with rhythm, knowledge or time, but improvements are waiting for him. It is not like a person's cap, and it can be meaningful.Randall is still on the edge, but RBs with his size, speed and route skills are rare.
Maybe the Giants can put a kid like this on the practice squad and get something out of him.It's not hard to see Harbaugh impressing the backfield with his athleticism.
How did I do this week, Giants fans?
