Right before we were all set to submit our final mock drafts for the 2026 draft season, the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals decided they wanted to throw us a curveball and make a move that will have major ramifications for Thursday night’s festivities.Â
The Giants now have two top-10 picks after acquiring the 10th overall selection from the Bengals for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. While the trade was just agreed to on Saturday night, we’ve already learned how New York is potentially plotting to use its two top-10 picks â and it could lead to a surprise in the top five.Â
Of course, the Giants-Bengals trade isn’t the only bit of draft news ahead of the first round on Thursday night. So, we surveyed our sources around the league on the latest about Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and his draft status.
Here’s what we’ve learned about the Giants’ draft plans, why the Bengals made the trade and what to expect for Simpson in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Ralph Vacchiano:Â A few days ago, it felt to many like a lock that the Giants were going to take a defensive player with the fifth overall pick of the NFL Draft. But now they have two picks in the top 10 for the second time in five years, after acquiring the 10th overall pick from the Bengals for Dexter Lawrence.
Theyll almost certainly use one of them on a defensive player, but its not so clear what theyll do with the fifth.Â
“It has to change their thinking,” one NFL executive told me. “There are a few elite offensive players that didnt look like a great fit for them, given how bad their defense has been and what we think Harbaugh wants to focus on. Now they can grab one at 5, and its possible theyll still get the defensive player they wanted all along at 10.”
Its all speculation at the moment, but many NFL sources believe the Giants were focused on either Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at 10 â impact players, who could emerge as leaders on the Giants’ defense. Opinions were split on which player Harbaugh preferred. And many seem to believe that one, and maybe both, could still be there at 10.
And that would open up some intriguing possibilities at No. 5. Much of the immediate speculation was on Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, whom an NFL scout told me last week “might be the best receiver in this draft when it’s all said and done.” He was considered to be one of the most “underrated” players in this years class, though hes been rising in media mocks and is now likely considered a top-10 pick.
The 6-foot-3, 203-pounder, who impressed scouts in his limited pro day workout on Friday, would give the Giants a dangerous 1-2 punch at receiver playing next to a healthy Malik Nabers. Hed also be insurance in case Nabers, who is recovering from a torn ACL, needs some time to regain his old form.
“If [Tyson] is as good as I think he is, the Giants would be set on offense for the next few years,” the executive said. “[Quarterback] Jaxson Dart would have everything he needs.”
Two other intriguing offensive possibilities for the Giants at No. 5 are Notre Dame running back Jeremyiah Love, Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate and Miami (Fla.) offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa (or whomever they rate as the top tackle in the draft).
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