March 17, 2026, 8:02 a.m. ET

As the New York Giants have likely concluded their major spending in free agency, their attention now shifts to their approach in the 2026 NFL draft. Although the team’s roster has been significantly retooled under new head coach John Harbaugh, several positions could still benefit from upgrades through the draft.

In the latest FOX Sports mock draft by college football analyst Joel Klatt, the Giants select wide receiver Carnell Tate from Ohio State. This pick would help replace Wan’Dale Robinson, who departed in free agency for the Tennessee Titans.

I wanted to give the Giants Caleb Downs. I think Downs is perfect for coach John Harbaugh and fits the mold of all those smart, versatile safeties he had when he was the Ravens’ head coach. I think it would be a mistake to not draft Downs, but the Giants could use another pass catcher for quarterback Jaxson Dart. Tate, with his ability to make contested grabs down the field, is a good fit for Dart’s gunslinger passing style. Some might debate USC’s Makai Lemon as a better receiver than Tate, but I think Tate is the better fit for the Giants’ offense.

In addition to Tate, the Giants have been heavily linked to two other Ohio State products: linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs, both of whom remained available in this mock draft scenario. The Giants have also been connected to running back Jeremiyah Love, though he was selected fourth overall in this mock, making him unavailable at pick five.

At 6-foot-2, Tate would fill the void left by Robinson and provide Jaxson Dart with another weapon in the passing game alongside Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely, Darnell Mooney, and Darius Slayton. Some observers consider the Giants’ receiving depth thin, particularly with Nabers recovering from an injury and Slayton coming off a disappointing 2025 season.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.

Tate would offer a reliable deep threat as Dart enters his second year in the league.

The Giants remain a true wild card with Harbaugh making his first draft selection for the team—he rarely picked this high during his time with the Ravens.

Rumors of the Giants’ interest in Tate have circulated throughout the offseason, and selecting him would certainly bolster the offense from a weapons perspective.