Scouts are already digging into the 2027 NFL Draft, and the Giants ought to be doing the same. New York may be sitting in an unexpected spot atop the NFC East, but the roster still has enough gaps that next offseason is going to demand answers.
If Big Blue wants a head start, there are five names worth circling now.
At cornerback, Ashton Hampton is the kind of prospect that should catch the Giants’ eye immediately. New York has spent years trying to steady that spot, and while Deonte Banks looks like part of the solution, the other outside job remains unsettled.
Hampton, a Clemson standout, has a real case as the second-best corner in the class behind Leonard Moore, who figures to be long gone before the Giants get their shot. He brings length, athletic ability and the sort of instincts that jump off college tape.
The offensive line is another place where the Giants can’t afford to be casual. They just drafted Francis Mauigoa and extended John Runyan Jr. this offseason, but the guard play is still a concern.
New York isn’t going to bail on Mauigoa after one season, and it shouldn’t. Runyan, though, may be a different story if things don’t improve.
That’s where Greg Johnson comes in. The Minnesota lineman has looked like the class’s top pure interior offensive line prospect so far.
He opened the year at left guard before moving to center, and he profiles as an upgrade at either spot.
Up front on defense, David Stone offers the kind of body the Giants could use for the long haul if they’re looking to replace DJ Reader. The Oklahoma tackle can handle the A-gap or line up as a three-technique, giving him some scheme flexibility.
His pass-rush production hasn’t stood out yet, but the physical traits are there for growth. The upside may not be flashy, but players built like Stone tend to hold value for a long time.
Will Echoles brings a different kind of force. If Stone is the sturdier run-stopping option, Echoles is the one with rare burst off the snap.
The Ole Miss defender could be tough to land if he keeps climbing, especially with a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, but if he’s available, the Giants should be excited. He looks like the sort of front-seven piece a defense can be built around.
And then there’s the receiver who could fit neatly alongside the pieces already in place. Charlie Becker may be the more well-known Indiana wideout, but his teammate Nick Marsh might be the cleaner target for New York if the Giants are picking in the back half of the first round.
Marsh does a little of everything a coach loves: he blocks with purpose, he’s physical, he brings in everything thrown his way, and he can line up in different spots. That kind of versatility would pair well with Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely, giving Matt Nagy more ways to create favorable looks for his top three targets.
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