The 2026 Draft Thread - 1st Round - 7th overall

[DWinzit]

Same, except for if the games is close in the end, I'll be rooting for the game to go against Washington.

I can deal with a win against Dallas, or Philly but I don't want to walk the Giants into the #1 pick where they can get a bounty.

I hear that. It would also be good if Kafka earns the HC gig for next season

 

[method man]

I hear that. It would also be good if Kafka earns the HC gig for next season

I don’t know man. There are some worse HC candidates being bandied about for them like Spags and Patullo. Kafka has upside

 

[DogofWar1]

We aren't one elite player from success at any spot so that logic can shoot down any acquistion. But am expecting give or take they bring at least 5 new impact players at different spots so am not looking at anything as a binary decision or zero sum game.

Well but resources are limited so while it might not be zero-sum, there's certainly efficient use of resources to consider. It's just so much easier/cheaper to find good RB play than just about any other position. It's like an $18M difference between the 10th highest paid RB and 10th highest paid WRs/Edges, and also a 6th round RB might be legitimately good, while a 6th round WR/Edge is probably lucky to make the 53.

I don't think there's any other position in the sport, besides K/P, where you can get a good player in the 5th or later with the (semi-)consistency of RB.

So even if the upgrade player-for-player is similar on like a Love vs. Bailey/Tate, or even if Love is a bigger upgrade, the cost savings both in cap and picks are gonna favor WR/Edge.

 

[Conn]

Don't know. But Keim seemed to imply that's how the team sees MaGee moving forward. As to whether we agree or disagree with the team on that one of course is a different subject. He didn't say it hardcore but lol I am not bad at reading Keim speak and that's how it felt but will see, its still early.

For me personally, if they see Magee and Luvu as starters I am not losing sleep over it. I am good with it as long as they have a veteran backup. Personally, if lets say they only make 3 big FA acquistions and one is LB, I'd borderline hate it. But if they go nuts and sign 5 big FAs, LB would be fun, if its someone like Lloyd, etc.

I’m sure they do, and they should believe in their developing guys to a degree. It would be a great outcome for us. I guess I’m just saying if we go into next year with that as plan A and no backup plan again, and he gets hurt again…aren’t we all going to give them shit for not learning their lesson this year in roster building? I agree I don’t want it to be their top or even top-5 priority in FA but I kind of want a starter-quality addition at LB to be safe, we can afford it easily.

 

[The Chump Bailey]

RB Waymond Jordan returning to USC. Too bad, I had him pegged as a definite riser candidate.

 

[Conn]

Will put this here where it probably fits better:

Don’t love the Giants having the inside track to the #1 pick to trade or use on the best player.

I didn’t think we’d have a realistic shot at the #1 pick even though it was technically possible. And I don’t think there’s a high likelihood for much of a trade-down market for any other top-10 picks this year, as much as people want that.

But we don’t need QB or OT, and I don’t love most of the EDGE guys and think the top one probably goes at 2 or 3, out of our range. So as long as we stay in the top-5 to top-8 range we can still get a blue chip BPA type like our top WR, Downs, or Love if we don’t love the pass rusher options where we are. We need an impact player who is the best at his position in the draft (or at least our #1) and we’re still in position to do that as long as we don’t string together a couple more wins. Which I don’t foresee.

So other than the Giants likely being in a power position, I don’t think we “hurt” ourselves too badly even though in a vacuum a higher pick is always better.

 

[method man]

I don’t think anyone is giving the Giants an absurd haul for Mendoza but a minimum of a 27 1st being thrown in there is a fair assumption to make.

 

[clskinsfan]

I don’t think there’s a high likelihood for much of a trade-down market

Agree completely. This draft class is pretty bad imo

 

[Conn]

Potential for a civil war in the Giants fanbase over previous regime’s Dart investment vs. Mendoza daydreams will be fun at least.

 

[method man]

Potential for a civil war in the Giants fanbase over previous regime’s Dart investment vs. Mendoza daydreams will be fun at least.

I think new regime is going to be signing up to mentor Dart. If they stick with the #1 pick and take Reese, Dex, Burns, Carter and Reese is scary

 

[Gooseneck]

At 8 we should get a good fix

 

[skinsinparadise]

I’m sure they do, and they should believe in their developing guys to a degree. It would be a great outcome for us. I guess I’m just saying if we go into next year with that as plan A and no backup plan again, and he gets hurt again…aren’t we all going to give them shit for not learning their lesson this year in roster building? I agree I don’t want it to be their top or even top-5 priority in FA but I kind of want a starter-quality addition at LB to be safe, we can afford it easily.

Yeah that's why I said I'd want a backup veteran who can play if that's their game plan. But my point is if it is their game plan -- to ride with Luvu, Magee, I am cool with it as long as they upgrade other spots and like I said have a veteran backup.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I don’t think anyone is giving the Giants an absurd haul for Mendoza but a minimum of a 27 1st being thrown in there is a fair assumption to make.

I am hoping the Giants beat the Raiders and lose that spot. But lol, if that happens I think we can almost for sure count on Tate or maybe Tyson in NY next year -- they might go O line but I'd bet WR.

 

[DWinzit]

At 8 we should get a good fix

Yeah and there's a decent chance we drop a little before the season ends..after all, we won't be playing the lamo Giants

 

[skinsinparadise]

I suspect they either beat Dallas or take one of the Philly games.

If so, they might stay in the range of Downs and Love.

I like Lemon, draftniks love him. It's hard for me to dig a slot WR without size and electric speed but he's a baller. I suspect I'll go back and forth on him. Tyson could drop. Bain might drop too because of the tweener label.

 

[method man]

I am hoping the Giants beat the Raiders and lose that spot. But lool, if that happens I think we can almost for sure count on Tate or maybe Tyson in NY next year -- they might go O line but I'd bet WR.

That’s fair. Nabers/Tyson would be a great on paper combo but the question is would either guy stay healthy?

 

[method man]

I suspect they either beat Dallas or take one of the Philly games.

If so, they might stay in the range of Downs and Love.

I like Lemon, draftniks love him. It's hard for me to dig a slot WR without size and electric speed but he's a baller. I suspect I'll go back and forth on him. Tyson could drop. Bain might drop too because of the tweener label.

After what JSN & Egbuka have done this season as guys in that mold, does that change your perception of Lemon any?

 

[skinsinparadise]

That’s fair. Nabers/Tyson would be a great on paper combo but the question is would either guy stay healthy?

Don't know. I think Tate is better and that's the dude they'd take not Tyson. But its early, will see.

 

[DWinzit]

I suspect they either beat Dallas or take one of the Philly games.

If so, they might stay in the range of Downs and Love.

I like Lemon, draftniks love him. It's hard for me to dig a slot WR without size and electric speed but he's a baller. I suspect I'll go back and forth on him. Tyson could drop. Bain might drop too because of the tweener label.

Regarding Edge, I can see DQ liking guys like Bain and especially Faulk with his size so you never know.

 

[Conn]

After what JSN & Egbuka have done this season as guys in that mold, does that change your perception of Lemon any?

JSN is explosive and was that dude in college. He was many peoples’ top developmental guy in college for multiple years in the fantasy circles I run in but was sort of misused at the beginning of his career as if he was Hunter Renfrow or something

Egbuka obviously has had some huge games but he’s also struggled to separate. I’ll be watching his development with great interest because he’s an archetype I don’t typically love who popped early and then started to show the warts I was worried about

Not sure how Lemon compares to those guys to be fair, haven’t looked much at him yet