Giants' Mock Draft: Downs or Fano?

0:00It's March 17 for the NFL. Let's get into it. Follow and subscribe for more team news every day. Mod draft season is in full swing as the 2026 NFL draft gets closer. Pro days in top 30 visits are happening now, and all eyes are on the New York Giants with the number 5 overall pick. ESPN's Mel Kuiper just dropped his latest mock draft on Tuesday, predicting the Giants will select Ohio State Safety, Caleb Downs. Free agency has mixed things up, but Kuiper still sees Downs as the top choice for New York. The Giants signed safeties, Jason Pinnick and Art Darius Washington recently, yet Kuiper believes Downs is a complete player on another level. Pairing him with Javan Holland could boost turnovers. They had just 15 last season, ranking 25th in the league, and fixed their week run, defense. Giants coach John Harbaugh has already said he's a big fan of Downs and would be fine picking him. Still, not everyone agrees. Some analysts think it's too early for a safety here, especially with versatile players

1:03like Sunny Styles or receiver Carnell Tate still on the board. Kuiper had the Giants taking offensive linemen Spencer Fano first overall before, but now Fano falls to number 14. That shift hints at League Buzz pushing New York toward defense early. Overall, the talk points to a first round defender for the Giants may be followed by a offensive help in round two, with so many options, expect more mocks and speculation as the draft nears. This story is made possible by our sponsor, see the episode description. It looks like a pillow, it sounds like headphones, built for comfort and sound, S-O-L-I, S-O-L-I-Pillow.com.