March 3, 2026, 7:31 a.m. ET

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh is taking a straightforward approach to the 2026 NFL draft, prioritizing the best player available over traditional positional value considerations with the team’s No. 5 overall pick.

Analyst Connor Rogers of Pro Football Talk highlighted this mindset in his NFL Combine takeaways, noting the Giants’ flexibility under Harbaugh. This strategy positions dynamic prospects such as Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs as strong contenders for selection.

If there is one team at the top of this draft that isn’t tying themselves in a knot over “positional value,” it’s John Harbaugh’s New York Giants. That means Love, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs are frontrunners for the fifth overall pick. Retaining Jermaine Eluemunor in free agency will be very important for their offensive line and draft flexibility.

Harbaugh’s emphasis on elite talent, regardless of position, aligns with his prior comments favoring best-player picks in high draft slots.

“We’ll take the best player. You know, when you draft that high, you take the best player. It’s not a need pick. It’s the best player pick because you’re going for the guy that’s going to be that kind of player,” Harbaugh said on the Mike Francesa Podcast. “You’re talking about a guy that you would like to see someday wearing a gold jacket if possible. That’s what the goal is with that pick.”

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Harbaugh has reinforced this philosophy publicly multiple times, stating the Giants will target the top talent rather than fill specific needs. He expressed particular admiration for prospects who could become franchise cornerstones, underscoring a focus on high-upside players to build around second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart and strengthen the roster core.

Retaining key veterans like offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor remains crucial to preserving draft versatility. As the draft nears, Harbaugh’s BPA-driven process could lead to a surprise selection that defies conventional positional hierarchies.