It was already hard enough to predict what the New York Giants will do in the draft under a new power structure led by coach John Harbaugh. The task got much harder after they traded All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th pick. That leaves the Giants with two top-10 selections and countless combinations of how they can utilize them.

Still, I’m not one to back down from a challenge! I’ve hit on three of the Giants’ first four picks in my mock drafts each of the past two years (OLB Abdul Carter, DT Darius Alexander and RB Cam Skattebo last year; WR Malik Nabers, CB Dru Phillips and TE Theo Johnson in 2024). So here’s my latest swing at predicting what the Giants will do in the draft. These picks are based on what I think the Giants will do, as well as who was available in a Pro Football Network mock draft simulation.

Round 1, pick 5: Sonny Styles, ILB, Ohio State

The first four picks in this simulation were QB Fernando Mendoza, LB/edge Arvell Reese, edge David Bailey and RB Jeremiyah Love. Love would have been the favorite for the pick if he made it to No. 5, but he joined Brian Daboll’s offense in Tennessee with the fourth pick in this simulation.

That leaves a wide range of directions for the Giants to go with this pick. They surely would be open to trading back, but it’s hard to see much interest if this is how the first four picks break.

This is the part of the draft process when every possible scenario gets floated, but I’m not backing off Styles, who has been linked to the Giants throughout the pre-draft process. He fits Harbaugh’s history of heavily investing in a top inside linebacker, and he has the intangibles to be a foundational piece for the team’s new culture.

Round 1, pick 10: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

This is the pick the Giants received in the Lawrence trade; a trade back may be even more likely here than at No. 5 since more premium prospects will be gone. It’s easy to envision the Giants sliding back a few spots if they can add a mid-round pick.

If the Giants do stick at No. 10, this is a wild-card pick. I’m going against my better judgment and buying into the recent buzz about Tyson. General manager Joe Schoen attended Tyson’s private workout last week, necessary because a hamstring injury sidelined the 6-foot-2, 203-pounder for most of the pre-draft process. Schoen reportedly had dinner with Tyson the night before the workout, further fueling speculation about the Giants’ interest.

The Giants hosted the other top receivers in this class — Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and USC’s Makai Lemon — for pre-draft visits, so they clearly have interest in adding a top weapon for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. The Giants’ wide receiver room is shaky, especially with Malik Nabers recovering from a major knee injury. Tyson is viewed by some scouts as the most talented receiver in this class, but he has a concerning injury history. I’m wagering that the Giants will be willing to roll the dice on his upside with this added pick. Nabers and Tyson could form a dynamic duo when healthy.

Safety Caleb Downs was available in this mock, and the lure of double-dipping on two Ohio State defenders was strong. Guard Vega Ioane was another consideration with this pick. But I went with the playmaker as the Giants build around Dart.

Round 2, pick 37: Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech

This is another prime spot for a trade back as the Giants seek to fill the 68-pick gap between their second- and fourth-round selections. Whenever the Giants make their early second-round pick, expect the focus to be in the trenches.

Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis wasn’t available in this simulation, so Rutledge got the nod over Oregon guard Emmanual Pregnon. I gave strong consideration to a defensive tackle from a group that included Georgia’s Christen Miller, Florida’s Caleb Banks and Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter. But the Giants’ glaring hole at right guard was impossible to ignore, especially with a veteran post-draft signing(s) seemingly more likely at defensive tackle than guard.

Round 4, pick 105: Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri

While I’m expecting a pick to be added between 37 and 105, it’s impossible to predict draft trades. So I stuck to the Giants’ current set of picks and took McClellan with their early fourth-round selection.

Expect the Giants to throw numbers at defensive tackle since they know they can’t replace Lawrence with one player. The Giants could cobble together a serviceable interior by adding a mid-round pick like McClellan to vets like D.J. Reader and/or Shelby Harris. Washington cornerback Tacario Davis drew consideration in this spot, but I expect a trench-heavy focus in the middle rounds.

Round 5, pick 145: Febechi Nwaiwu, C/G, Oklahoma

This pick is based on a combination of draft trends from Schoen and Harbaugh. Schoen has favored prospects who have made pre-draft visits to the team, while the Ravens stocked up on offensive linemen in the middle rounds during Harbaugh’s 18 years in Baltimore.

The Giants don’t have any interior offensive linemen signed beyond 2026, so they need to start building a developmental pipeline. Nwaiwu provides a potential future answer at two spots since he has center experience after spending most of his college career at guard.

Round 6, pick 186: Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina

Dixon continues the trend of leaning toward players who had pre-draft visits. Cornerback is a major need that a sixth-round pick can’t be expected to fill. But the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Dixon has the versatility to serve as a backup at multiple spots in the secondary early in his career, with the potential to grow into a bigger role. The Giants could address corner much earlier depending on how the draft unfolds.

Round 6, pick 192: JC Davis, OT, Illinois

Sticking with the theme of loading up in the trenches, Davis is another pre-draft visitor who could develop into a useful backup at guard and tackle. Auburn guard Jeremiah Wright could be another offensive line option deep in the draft.

Round 6, pick 193: Louis Moore, S, Indiana

The Giants will be busy with three picks in an eight-pick span early in the sixth round. Teams are looking for backups and special teamers at this stage; Moore played a variety of positions in the secondary at Indiana and has special-teams experience, so he fits the bill.

Final draft card

ROUNDPICKPLAYERPOSITIONSCHOOL

1

5

Sonny Styles

ILB

Ohio State

1

10

Jordyn Tyson

WR

Arizona State

2

37

Keylan Rutledge

OG

Georgia Tech

4

105

Chris McClellan

DT

Missouri

5

145

Febechi Nwaiwu

G/C

Oklahoma

6

186

Thaddeus Dixon

CB

North Carolina

6

192

JC Davis

OT

Illinois

6

193

Louis Moore

S

Indiana