Matt Citak
"Make the Case" is officially back on Giants.com for the 2026 NFL Draft.
In this series, we look atprojections provided by analystsand then ask you, the fans, to weigh in on what the Giants should do in the draft.
With just over one week to go, let's take a look at the predictions for the first two rounds of the draft from ESPN's Field Yates and CBS Sports' Mike Renner.
Yates' Picks
Pick at No. 5:Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Height:6-feet |Weight:206 pounds
2025 Stats:14 games, 68 total tackles (45 solo), one sack, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two interceptions
Accolades:2x Unanimous All-American (2024,2025), Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2025), 2x Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year (2024,2025), Jim Thorpe Award (2025), Lott Trophy (2025), 2x First-Team All-Big Ten (2024, 2025), CFP National Champion (2024), Second-Team All-American (2023), SEC Freshman of the Year (2023), First-Team All-SEC (2023)
"Downs has been a dominant force longer than any other defender in this class. The former Alabama and Ohio State All-American is a shapeshifter, deploying down in the box against the run or patrolling the back end with excellent coverage range."
Pick at No. 37:Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M
Height:6-foot-5 |Weight:315 pounds
2025 Stats:13 games, 795 offensive snaps, 441 pass block snaps, 1 sack and 12 total pressures allowed
Accolades:Third-Team All-SEC (2025), First-Team All-SEC Freshman (2023)
"Bisontis has excellent hands, is an athletic redirector in pass protection and brings position versatility. He would really boost the Giants' guard position, and he has prior starting experience at right tackle, too."
Renner's Picks
Pick at No. 5:Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
Height:6-foot-5|Weight:329 pounds
2025 Stats:16 games, 825 total offensive snaps, 439 pass block snaps, 2 sacks and 10 total pressures allowed
Accolades:Consensus All-American (2025), ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy (2025), First-Team All-ACC (2025), Second-Team All-ACC (2024), All-ACC Honorable Mention (2023)
"Mauigoa could start inside at guard and eventually take over for Jermaine Eluemunor."
Pick at No. 37:CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Height:6-foot-1 |Weight:230 pounds
2025 Stats:13 games, 88 total tackles (47 solo), 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 4 passes defensed
Accolades:Consensus All-American (2025), First-Team All-SEC (2025), 2x SEC Champion (2024, 2025)
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