EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Free agency whispers are fading, and the real roster surgery begins now. The New York Giants sit at the No. 5 overall pick, staring down a franchise-defining decision. With John Harbaugh taking the reins as head coach, the front office is finalizing its war room strategy. The latest PFF Giants 2026 NFL Mock Draft simulator run points to a calculated mix of relentless quarterback hunting and explosive playmaking to surround Jaxson Dart.
Most draft boards skip over Texas Tech’s David Bailey at five. The Giants already employ Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Why add another missile to the silo? Simple. Harbaugh wasn’t here when the previous regime drafted those guys. He wants his own enforcer to set the tone.
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Bailey dominated the Big 12. He racked up 19.5 tackles for a loss and led the FBS with 14.5 sacks. He doesn’t just bend the edge; he shatters the pocket. You could almost feel the offensive tackles bracing for impact when he dug his cleats into the turf last season. He arrives as an NFL-ready rusher. The only lingering question focuses on his supporting cast. Did Bailey develop these elite traits entirely on his own, or did he benefit from a loaded Red Raiders defense projected to send four front-seven starters into the top 100 picks?
If the front office pivots, Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate or Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa offer immediate plug-and-play value.
If New York passes on a wideout in Round 1, they must strike fast in Round 2. Enter Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion at pick 37.
Concepcion operates like a human joystick. He posted 994 scrimmage yards last year, turning broken plays into highlight reels. His suddenness perfectly complements Malik Nabers. Dart needs reliable targets who can create separation instantly. As a bonus, Concepcion took two punts to the house last season for the Aggies. He brings an immediate jolt of electricity to a special teams unit that lacked spark.
The Giants wait until pick 105 to select again, shifting their focus to the secondary. Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley brings a 6-foot-3, 203-pound frame to the deep third. Tyler Nubin and Javon Holland struggled to lock down the back end. Wheatley flashes the raw size and instincts to develop into a reliable over-the-top starter.
General Manager Joe Schoen then bulks up the trenches. Alabama nose tackle Tim Keenan III arrives at pick 145. At 327 pounds, Keenan anchors the run defense and spells Dexter Lawrence on grueling early downs. He devours double teams.
New York finishes the draft with a triple-tap on offense:
“We aren’t just looking for guys who can play. We want guys who want to tear the doors off this building and win right now. That starts in the trenches and out on the perimeter.”
— John Harbaugh, Head Coach
This draft class completely retools the Giants’ physical identity. If Bailey hits his ceiling, opposing NFC East offensive lines face a nightmare rotation. Adding Concepcion, Roberts, and Anderson ensures Dart has zero excuses. The pressure rests squarely on the young quarterback to translate these new weapons into immediate production. Harbaugh’s system demands dominance at the line of scrimmage and vertical passing. This mock draft delivers the raw materials for both.
