New Giants Rumors on Top Targets in 2026 NFL Draft After Dexter Lawrence Trade With Bengals

NFL insiders are split on whether the New York Giants will target offense or defense first when making their two top-ten selections in the 2026 NFL draft.

The Giants, already owners of the No. 5 pick, also acquired the No. 10 selection by trading former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals.

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported Wednesday he feels the Giants' "most likely picks" at No. 5 would be Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

"Multiple people have told me they believe Downs would be the Giants' pick even ahead of linebacker Sonny Styles, Downs' college teammate," Graziano reported.

Graziano reported that the Giants like Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, "but most of the people I've spoken to the past couple of days think the Giants would be more likely to wait and try to take him at No. 10."

Should the Giants draft Downs at No. 5 and either pass or miss out on Tyson, Graziano named Utah tackle Spencer Fano or Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane as "leading possibilities" at No. 10.

"If Love is the pick at No. 5, I'd expect the Giants to go defense at No. 10 (maybe Downs is still there?) or trade down," Graziano wrote.

The Ringer's Todd McShay reported around the 15:35 mark of Tuesday's episode of The Todd McShay Show he expected new head coach John Harbaugh to have "the last trigger" on his team's draft decisions.

"We know they like Jordyn Tyson. The Giants are not one of those teams that hide their interests... they love Jordyn Tyson. But there's also that Downs factor at the safety position with Harbaugh, okay? And I'm told they really like Downs," McShay said.

"Then I'm told recently... Jeremiyah Love. But you can't go Jeremiyah Love, and then Jordyn Tyson, because Jordyn Tyson ain't gonna be there at 10. And I've got news for you. Downs very well may not be there at 10, but could be. Better shot that he's there at 10."

McShay added, "That is what the information is in the league— not necessarily that the Giants will absolutely take Love at No. 5... the information is more so, he ain't getting out of the top five."

Downs is ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect on Bleacher Report's final 2026 NFL draft big board.

B/R NFL scouts ranked Love as the No. 2 overall prospect, while Tyson, Ioane and Fano come in at No. 9, No. 12 and No. 15, respectively.

Harbaugh already showed what seemed to be some early influence on the Giants' roster by signing multiple former Baltimore Ravens players this offseason, including tight end Isaiah Likely and fullback Patrick Ricard.

His views on how to build his new roster around Jaxson Dart could continue influencing the Giants' moves when the 2026 draft kicks off Thursday in Pittsburgh at 8 p.m. ET.