\u201cThe Beast,\u201d<\/a> to compile this 40-prospect list.<\/p>\nNotes: The number on the left indicates where they rank in Brugler\u2019s top 300. An asterisk means they completed a pre-draft visit with the Giants.<\/p>\n
Day 2<\/p>\n
32. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (6-foot-2, 326 pounds)<\/p>\n
McDonald is Brugler\u2019s top-ranked defensive tackle and the Giants are going to have to address the defensive tackle position; it was already a necessity before the Lawrence trade. Now it is even more of a must.<\/p>\n
34. Chase Bisontis*, G, Texas A&M (6-5, 315 pounds)<\/p>\n
Sense a theme? Bisontis projects as an \u201ceventual NFL starter and has traits that will speak to both zone and power schemes,\u201d per Brugler. Plus, he\u2019s a hometown prospect who went to New Jersey\u2019s Don Bosco Prep, so what\u2019s not to love?<\/p>\n
40. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech (6-1, 231 pounds)<\/p>\n
A former quarterback, Rodriguez gave up a scholarship and walked on at Texas Tech as a transfer, transitioning to linebacker. The move paid off and he won plenty of awards (Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award) last year during an All-American season, while also finishing fifth in Heisman voting. While Rodriguez is average-sized, Brugler notes his \u201cathletic versatility has made him a more instinctive linebacker and helps him play decisively.\u201d That should help him compete immediately for a starting role, and he could carve out a spot as a leader for the defense.<\/p>\n
41. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama (6-1, 206 pounds)<\/p>\n
Bernard led the Crimson Tide in receptions the last two seasons. As Brugler notes, it will be more of a challenge for Bernard to create separation versus NFL corners, but he \u201ccompetes with the toughness to play through contact.\u201d<\/p>\n
43. Christen Miller*, DT, Georgia (6-4, 321 pounds)<\/p>\n
Miller played multiple positions on the interior D-line during his two seasons as a starter at Georgia, but those fronts were heavily rotated, so he averaged only 31.2 snaps per game in 2025. Even with the versatility, Miller projects best as a one-gapping nose in a four-man front, per Brugler. The good news is that Miller is a rock-solid run defender, which the Giants desperately need as they look to boost their run defense.<\/p>\n
57. Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon (6-4, 314 pounds)<\/p>\n
Pregnon was a four-year starter, playing his sixth and final season at Oregon. While Pregnon checks all the NFL boxes of a starting guard, Brugler notes his comfort level is clearly on the left side. Current left guard Jon Runyan will be a free agent next year if the Giants are looking to the future. Pregnon is an older prospect who will be 25 years old as a rookie.<\/p>\n
71. Gennings Dunker, G, Iowa (6-5, 319 pounds)<\/p>\n
As a Midwesterner who loves Culver\u2019s, am I including Dunker solely for our shared love of the frozen custard spot? No, but does it add to the legend, as well as Dunker\u2019s appeal as a \u201cPaul Bunyan-like folk hero\u201d (Brugler\u2019s words, not mine!). On the field, Dunker projects as a guard with starting potential and tackle flexibility. His old-school toughness would be appealing for a new coach trying to build around physicality.<\/p>\n
72. Ted Hurst*, WR, Georgia State (6-4, 206 pounds)<\/p>\n
Hurst was the first player in school history to make Feldman\u2019s \u201cFreaks List,\u201d and in two seasons at Georgia State, he combined for 127 catches, 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns. Brugler notes he faces a steep learning curve, but his traits and ball-tracking skills are exciting. The question is: Do the Giants need a receiver who\u2019s more ready to start this season rather than a developmental one?<\/p>\n
79. Travis Burke*, OT, Memphis (6-9, 325 pounds)<\/p>\n
With eye-popping size, Burke has \u201ctools worth drafting in the mid-rounds, to be a swing tackle and potential starter,\u201d per Brugler. Again, right now the Giants are set at tackle. But if they do manage to trade back from the No. 37 spot and\/or pick up a third-rounder, do they want to take a shot on a prospect with intriguing potential and, as Brugler notes, a \u201cnasty\u201d disposition?<\/p>\n
Day 3<\/p>\n
99. Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma (5-10, 180 pounds)<\/p>\n
While he has size limitations, Burks also has \u201cdynamic athleticism and the tracking skills to snatch and secure,\u201d per Brugler. He\u2019s got the \u201cjuice and contact balance to be a big-play creator,\u201d but he wasn\u2019t used as a downfield threat much during his two years as a starter at Oklahoma. Should the Giants go receiver to start off Day 3 (assuming Burks is around), the receiver could start off as a \u201cgadget role player\u201d with the potential to become something more.<\/p>\n
107. Chris McClellan*, DT, Missouri (6-4, 313 pounds)<\/p>\n
McClellan has the physical characteristics of an NFL player. Per Brugler, he responds well to double teams and holds the point against the run, which would benefit the Giants. He projects as a rotational interior lineman who can \u201cgive teams quality snaps as a zero-\/one-technique,\u201d which, given Lawrence\u2019s departure, is important.<\/p>\n
110. Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon (6-1, 230 pounds)<\/p>\n
Originally a baseball player at Oregon \u2014 he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB draft \u2014 Boettcher walked on to the football team in 2022. Choosing to go forward with football only in his final year, he was the first Oregon player to surpass 135 tackles in a season since the 1970s. While Brugler notes he needs the right situation to be a starter, Boettcher can become an immediate and impactful special teamer. With Harbaugh\u2019s special-teams background, that could make Boettcher particularly appealing.<\/p>\n
115. Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State (5-11, 216 pounds)<\/p>\n
The Giants may still want to add a young running back to their room to pair with Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy and fullback Patrick Ricard. Allen could be an option as someone with a good feel for the position and who \u201cmaximizes carries with his vision, physicality and body control,\u201d as Brugler notes. He projects as a durable backup (important to consider given Skattebo\u2019s physicality) or a low-end starter. One thing to monitor: He doesn\u2019t project to have much of a special-teams role, which, as we get into Day 3 and with a coach like Harbaugh, could be detrimental.<\/p>\n
117. Febechi Nwaiwu*, G, Oklahoma (6-4, 316 pounds)<\/p>\n
Nwaiwu could be a perfect developmental fit for an offense that needs help in the trenches. Not only does he have primarily right guard experience, he also has two games at center under his belt and projects as a valuable backup with guard\/center flexibility. Looking ahead at who is signed inside beyond 2026 makes drafting interior linemen vital. Nwaiwu was flagged just once in 13 games in 2025.<\/p>\n
119. Tacario Davis*, CB, Washington (6-4, 194 pounds)<\/p>\n
Davis had the largest wingspan among all defensive backs at the NFL combine. While his measurables might work against him at times, his \u201csize-speed traits and ball skills are worth the gamble,\u201d per Brugler. Davis did miss six games during his final season, including the final three with a severe hamstring pull.<\/p>\n
127. Gracen Halton, DL, Oklahoma (6-3, 293 pounds)<\/p>\n
If the Giants are looking to take a DT-by-committee approach \u2014 or for rotational depth \u2014 Halton could be their guy. Brugler notes that a \u201cpart-time role that keeps his battery charged will be his best NFL fit.\u201d It\u2019s similar to what he did at Oklahoma, where he played multiple alignments on a lower snap count.<\/p>\n
128. Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan (6-6, 248 pounds)<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve not included a tight end up until this point given the Giants\u2019 investment in this room during free agency, adding Isaiah Likely on a three-year deal. But even with Likely and Theo Johnson, along with depth pieces Chris Manhertz, Thomas Fidone II and Tanner Conner, perhaps Harbaugh has sights on a late-round development prospect of his own. Who better than Klein, who played for Harbaugh\u2019s brother Jim at Michigan? As Brugler notes, Klein is a \u201cgood-sized athlete with toughness worth developing as a blocker.\u201d<\/p>\n
148. Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan (6-3, 298 pounds)<\/p>\n
Benny has a power profile and an active play style, though the results might not be immediate. But, as Brugler notes, he has the talent to see the field early while NFL coaches work on the rest. He\u2019s someone who piqued the interest of NFL teams with his flashes. Were the Giants one of those teams?<\/p>\n
149. Malik Benson, WR, Oregon (6-0, 189 pounds)<\/p>\n
Benson\u2019s production improved with each season, and he performed his best during his final stop, leading Oregon in receiving yards. As Brugler notes, his quick-game and intermediate-area skills are underdeveloped, but for those looking for a pure vertical receiver on the perimeter, he has value. A good note from Brugler for a mid-round receiver: He can be used to return punts.<\/p>\n
160. Nick Barrett, DT, South Carolina (6-3, 312 pounds)<\/p>\n
Barrett only has one season under his belt as a full-time player, with fewer than 1,000 career snaps over five years. But Barrett has shown promise in his pass-rush effort and is stout against the run \u2014 which can\u2019t be highlighted enough given recent run-defense struggles in New York.<\/p>\n
183. Anez Cooper, G, Miami (6-6, 342)<\/p>\n
The Giants obviously watched a lot of Mauigoa\u2019s tape. That\u2019s lucky for Cooper, Mauigoa\u2019s partner inside for the last three seasons at Miami, forming one of the better right sides of an offensive line in college football. Cooper has experience: He\u2019s tallied more than 3,000 offensive snaps in college and earned All-ACC honors each of the last three years. He\u2019s physical and projects best in a gap scheme and can find the field in the right situation.<\/p>\n
190. Jager Burton, C, Kentucky (6-4, 312 pounds)<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not sure I\u2019ve ever done a big board with this many trench prospects, but another potential name to add to the list is Burton, who offers guard\/center flexibility after taking all his snaps last year at center. While he\u2019s played a lot of football, only one season produced NFL-worthy tape. He offers some intriguing Day-3 value.<\/p>\n
196. Thaddeus Dixon*, CB, North Carolina (6-1, 195 pounds)<\/p>\n
Dixon won\u2019t likely fill the role of a starting outside corner for the Giants, but he could provide depth and grow into a role that isn\u2019t scheme-dependent. As Brugler notes, Dixon is \u201csolid across the board and has the size, coverage agility and toughness that will give him a chance to make a 53-man roster.\u201d<\/p>\n
207. TJ Hall, CB, Iowa (6-1, 188 pounds)
Hall is another corner who could add depth rather than be a full-time starter. As Brugler notes, Hall\u2019s competitiveness will translate well in both coverage and run defense. He has a reputation as someone who likes to be coached hard.<\/p>\n
224. Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa (5-9, 193 pounds)<\/p>\n
Wetjen was the only FBS player in 2025 with both a kick return and punt return touchdown, so he\u2019s on this list purely for special-teams value. Wetjen\u2019s pass-catching skills are a bit more unproven, but he\u2019s dynamic as a special teamer. With Gunner Olszewski on the roster through this year, the Giants could look to the future of their return game with Wetjen.<\/p>\n
229. Louis Moore, S, Indiana (5-11, 190 pounds)<\/p>\n
Moore is already 25 years old and has had quite the journey through the college game, with stops at Navarro College, Indiana, Ole Miss and then one final year at Indiana. Would he compete with Holland and Nubin for a starting spot? Unlikely, as he projects as a back-of-the-roster safety or nickel, per Brugler, but Moore\u2019s skills give him a chance to carve out an NFL career. And he\u2019s played a variety of secondary spots and has special-teams experience, which is valuable for a pick at this stage.<\/p>\n
231. Haynes King, QB, Georgia (6-2, 212 pounds)<\/p>\n
For the first time in a while, the Giants quarterback question seems answered. That doesn\u2019t mean the position should be left untouched, as backup quarterback Jameis Winston is only signed through this upcoming season. Drafting a late-round quarterback and developing him into a backup wouldn\u2019t be the worst plan. In fact, Harbaugh\u2019s Ravens did that in 2019 (the year after drafting QB Lamar Jackson) when they went with Trace McSorley in the sixth round.<\/p>\n
233. Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo (6-1, 200 pounds)<\/p>\n
A one-year starter, Fuller got on the NFL\u2019s radar during his final season after making the switch to corner. While he missed that 2024 season with an injury, he returned in 2025 to show off smooth transitions and confidence to make plays on the ball in coverage. Again, at this point of the draft, special-teams ability will be important.<\/p>\n
237. J.C. Davis*, OT, Illinois (6-4, 322 pounds)<\/p>\n
One more for the trenches? Davis started two seasons at Illinois, allowing a sack in just three of his 25 starts for the program. With tweaks to his game, he offers quality depth at guard or tackle, per Brugler. Looking for a developmental prospect who can add O-line depth is never a bad idea at this point of the draft.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. \u2014 After months of waiting and speculation, the first night of the NFL Draft always…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":208189,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[9,2683,11,10],"class_list":{"0":"post-208188","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york","8":"tag-new-york","9":"tag-new-york-giants","10":"tag-new-york-headlines","11":"tag-new-york-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/208188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=208188"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/208188\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/208189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=208188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=208188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=208188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}