We’re taking a look at teams that could define the 2026 NFL Draft in the buildup to the event, whether through their multiple first-round picks, intriguing status as a franchise, prime pick position and more.

Other interesting draft teams: Dallas Cowboys | Los Angeles Rams | New York Jets | Kansas City Chiefs

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John Harbaugh’s first draft with the New York Giants was going to be compelling no matter what. The Giants landed the top available coach on the market and they had the fifth overall pick, to go with a roster that already has some fun young talent.

Then there was a twist this weekend. Dexter Lawrence, one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL, requested a trade amid a contract standoff earlier this month. Extension talks reached an impasse, and rather than drag it out through the offseason, the Giants made a power move, dealing Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 overall pick of this draft.

Latest NFL mock draft | Big Boards: Consensus Top 75 • Nate Tice • Charles McDonald

The Giants said they didn’t want to trade Lawrence, but ultimately they got an offer they couldn’t refuse. That No. 10 pick will join a pretty young roster.

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And New York still has the fifth overall pick.

John Harbaugh is flexing his team-building powers

The Giants tried to downplay Harbaugh having final say over personnel decisions, usurping general manager Joe Schoen, but most reports out of New York confirm that he will have that power. That wasn’t the case for Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens, and was reportedly an important issue for him as he negotiated with the Giants.

This offseason marks a turning point for the Giants. They got a head coach in Harbaugh who is probably going to make the Hall of Fame someday. To get that done, they changed the structure of the organization over to him and gave him control over personnel. They already have an enticing core that includes quarterback Jaxson Dart, receiver Malik Nabers, and edge rushers Abdul Carter and Brian Burns. Harbaugh will add to that group and the Giants could take off under his coaching. Or he’ll just be another failed coach in the post-Tom Coughlin era, albeit with a better résumé.

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Lawerence was supposed to be part of that push forward. But the failed extension talks with him got too messy for Harbaugh and the Giants to clean up and landing a first-rounder in the top 10 of the draft was worth splitting up with the star d-lineman, the Giants decided.

There are significant needs on the roster, though the Giants would rather not add having to replace Lawrence, one of their best players. But here we are.

What will Giants do with fifth and 10th picks?

The Giants have the fifth, 10th and 37th picks in the draft, then don’t go back on the clock until the 105th pick because they traded their third-round pick to the Texans to move up and select Dart in last year’s draft.

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New York has to hit home runs with those two first-round picks and at least get on base with the 37th pick. There will be options. Would the Giants take the plunge on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, widely considered by many the best player in the draft but one at a non-premium position? The Giants aren’t struggling at running back, though Love is far better than what they have and an undeniable talent. Love, if he’s even available with the fifth pick, would certainly be the most exciting pick the Giants could make.

Is Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. in play for the 10th pick or are the Giants already well-stocked on the edge rusher front with Carter, Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux?

There are other needs though. The Giants need help at guard and a No. 1 cornerback, and there will be options for both spots at Nos. 5 and 10. They now need to bolster the interior of the defensive line, a hole that got a lot bigger with Lawrence’s departure. Finding receiving help to go with Nabers is an issue, too. The Giants have some fun players but they’re also coming off a 4-13 season. There’s a lot of work to do. The Giants need a difference maker with those top-10 draft picks, and at least a contributor at No. 37. There are too many holes to waste a selection.

With the right moves, Harbaugh will be an instant hit in New York. And there will be plenty of eyes on him after making the bold move of dealing Lawrence.