Giants Sit Out Week 14, Still Win Big: New York Now Holds Top Pick in 2026 NFL Draft
The New York Giants didn’t take the field in Week 14, but somehow, they still managed to come out on top. With their bye week giving them a much-needed break from what’s been a brutal season, the Giants got a little help from their friends-or rather, from the Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints.
Thanks to wins by both the Titans and Saints on Sunday, the Giants now officially hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s right-without even lacing up their cleats, Big Blue moved into pole position for one of the most coveted assets in football.
Let’s break down how it all unfolded and what it means for a franchise desperately in need of a reset.
A Win Without Playing
The Titans edged out the Cleveland Browns in a 31-29 thriller, surviving a late push from rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland’s two-point conversion attempt to tie the game fell apart, and Tennessee held on to secure just their second win of the season.
Meanwhile, the Saints took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning 24-20 behind a strong showing from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who found the end zone twice on the ground.
Those results pushed both the Titans and Saints to 2-11 and 3-10, respectively-enough to bump the Giants (2-11) into the top spot of the draft order thanks to tiebreakers.
Here’s how the updated top of the draft board looks after the early Sunday slate:
- New York Giants (2-11)
- Tennessee Titans (2-11)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
- Cleveland Browns (3-10)
- New Orleans Saints (3-10)
- Washington Commanders (3-10)
- New York Jets (3-10)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons) (4-9)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
A Rare Opportunity for the Giants
For a fanbase that’s endured more than its fair share of heartbreak in recent years, this is unfamiliar territory. The Giants haven’t picked first overall since 1965. But here they are, sitting in the driver’s seat with four games to go.
And unlike many teams that find themselves in this position, the Giants might not be in the market for a quarterback. Jaxson Dart, their young signal-caller, has shown enough flashes to suggest he could be the guy moving forward. That gives New York a rare luxury: the chance to build around a potential franchise quarterback rather than search for one.
So what do they do with the pick?
They could go after a blue-chip wide receiver to give Dart a true No. 1 target. Or they might finally address a secondary that’s been torched far too often this season. Either way, they don’t have to make that decision alone.
Trade Possibilities Loom Large
With Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza emerging as the clear top quarterback prospect, the Giants now hold leverage over teams desperate for a signal-caller. The Saints and Jets, both sitting in the top 10 and facing long-term questions at quarterback, could be willing to pay a premium to move up.
If the Giants are truly committed to Dart, flipping the top pick for a haul of draft capital could be the smart move-especially for a roster that needs help at multiple positions.
Front Office Uncertainty Clouds the Picture
Of course, the biggest question might not be what the Giants do with the pick, but who gets to make the call.
General manager Joe Schoen is still in place-for now. Ownership has said he’ll lead the search for a new head coach following the dismissal of Brian Daboll, but Schoen himself acknowledged that his future is under review. And with a 20-43-1 record over four seasons, the results haven’t exactly inspired confidence.
Schoen has had his hits in the draft, but the misses have piled up too. If the Giants decide to clean house, a new GM could bring a different vision for how to use the top pick.
Can the Giants Hold On?
The final stretch won’t be easy to navigate. The Giants still have games against the Commanders, Vikings, Raiders, and Cowboys. On paper, Washington and Las Vegas are winnable matchups, and if New York manages to steal a couple of victories, that No. 1 spot could slip away.
But for now, the Giants are in control of their draft destiny-and for a team that’s struggled to find direction in recent years, that’s a powerful place to be.
Whether they stay put and add a game-changer or trade down to stockpile picks, New York has options. And after a season that’s offered little else to celebrate, that’s a win in itself.