Had the New York Giants lost one of their last two games, the top of 2026 NFL Draft would look a lot different. Because of the way the final weeks of the 2025 regular season played out, the No. 1 overall pick was up for grabs, and a potential sale to the highest bidder was on the table.
That did not materialize, however, as the Giants went 2-0 to close out the year, and the teams that are expected to be in the market to select a future franchise quarterback wound up slotted 1-2.
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Here’s how the Top 10 looks now and our early mock draft with the Giants landing the fifth pick. This will be the ninth time in the last 11 years in which the Giants are set to make their initial first-round pick in the Top 10.
Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) reacts after the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Heisman Trophy winner is putting on a show for the Hoosiers, who are within one win of an improbable yet impressive national championship. Mendoza is making believers out of the NFL scouts, throwing more touchdown passes (8) than incompletions (5) in two victories for undefeated Indiana. It’s hard imagining Tom Brady advising the Raiders to go in any other direction.
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2. Jets: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) warms up before the game against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on Dec. 20, 2025.
Moore still has not officially entered the draft, and his performance in the College Football Playoff semifinal paled in comparison to Mendoza last Friday night. But there’s no question Moore has the tools, the Jets have the need and word that former Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola was transferring to Oregon fueled speculation Monday that he may be ready to turn pro.
3. Cardinals: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Reese is a hybrid butt kicker whose versatility allowed for Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to use him in a variety of ways. You don’t turn away talent, but it’ll take a creative plan to get the most out of the talented playmaker who can rush and play off the ball.
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4. Titans: Reuben Bain, Edge, Miami
Bain is the marquee name that most college football fans know, considering his 23 career sacks in three seasons for the Hurricanes. He has recorded four more sacks in Miami’s surprising run to the CFP championship game. His physical gifts have NFL scouts drooling, and he offers some inside rush potential as well.
5. Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Tate is the next great Buckeye receiver. He’s got it all and shined despite not being at 100% this season while also playing opposite sophomore phenom Jeremiah Smith. Tate set career highs in yards (838) and touchdowns (9), and would mesh extremely well with Malik Nabers in an offense looking for more playmaking ability for Jaxson Dart.
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6. Browns: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The talented safety can do it all on the back end and he’s a legit leader from jump. How he’d fit in the secondary isn’t the question; given Downs’ game-breaking talent, you take him and fit everyone else around him.
7. Commanders: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Bailey is the top pass rusher in the country in sacks, total pressures and quarterback hits, and Pro Football Focus has him as their highest graded edge rusher. The Stanford transfer became more of a finisher this season and he will push for the top defender taken.
8. Saints: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
At 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, Woods profiles as an ideal 3-technique who is exactly what NFL teams go after. He does have the versatility to move up and down the front in the right system.
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9. Chiefs: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana on Nov. 22, 2025.
Love has great vision and burst at 20 years old, and the sky’s the limit. He has a chance to drum up interest similar to how Jahmyr Gibbs did with the Lions a few years ago. With the way the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson put on a show this season, Love could rise up to ultimately be the highest running back picked since Saquon Barkley.
10. Bengals: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Delane started 29 straight games at Virginia Tech before transferring to LSU. He’s positioned to be the top man-to-man corner in this class. Delane is not a finished product, but the tools are there for him to really rocket up boards during the pre-draft process.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: 2026 NFL Mock Draft Top 10 picks with Jets at No. 2 and Giants at No. 5