What Will the Giants Do at No. 5? Four Draft Prospects With “Gold Jacket” Potential
The New York Giants are entering a new chapter - one that pairs a Super Bowl-winning head coach with a front office eager to turn things around. But after a 4-win season in 2025, the rebuild is still very much in motion.
Now holding the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Giants are at a pivotal crossroads. General manager Joe Schoen and head coach John Harbaugh have a chance to reshape the roster in a big way, and Harbaugh has made it clear: they’re looking for a “gold jacket” type of player.
Of course, that’s easier said than done - especially in a draft class that’s not being hailed as particularly strong at the top. But the goal is clear: find a cornerstone talent.
And with free agency still to play out, the draft strategy will come into sharper focus in the coming weeks. For now, let’s take a closer look at four prospects who could fit the bill - players with the kind of upside that makes you think about Canton.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Let’s get this out of the way: taking a safety in the top five is rare. Eric Berry in 2010.
Sean Taylor in 2004. That’s the list.
So it’s fair to raise an eyebrow at the idea of the Giants going this route, especially after investing in Jevon Holland and using a second-rounder on Tyler Nubin just last year.
But Caleb Downs is not your average safety. He’s the kind of player who forces offenses to account for him on every snap.
His range, instincts, and timing are elite - and when quarterbacks are even a half-second late, Downs makes them pay. He reads the field like a seasoned vet and has the athleticism to erase mistakes at all three levels.
What really sets Downs apart is his ability to support the run from deep alignments. He allows a defense to live in two-high shells and still hold up against the run - a luxury in today’s NFL. He missed just 11.1% of his tackles in college, racked up 96 STOPs near the line of scrimmage, and made his presence felt week in and week out.
His college résumé backs it up: 257 tackles, 16 for loss, 12 pass breakups, six interceptions, and three forced fumbles in three healthy seasons. He’s a do-it-all safety with a high football IQ and a physical edge to his game.
Is it unconventional? Sure.
But if the Giants believe he’s the best player in the draft - and there’s a case to be made - he’s worth serious consideration at No. 5.
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
The Giants have already invested heavily in their pass rush. Kayvon Thibodeaux was a top-five pick.
They traded for Brian Burns. But Rueben Bain Jr. brings something different to the table - a disruptive force who can win both inside and out.
Bain isn’t just an edge rusher. He’s a gap-stealing, scheme-versatile weapon who can line up as a 4i or 4-technique in base looks and kick inside to three-tech in sub-packages. That flexibility would be a dream for defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, especially when paired with Dexter Lawrence on the interior.
The production is eye-popping: 83 pressures in 2025, 156 over three seasons, plus 121 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 81 STOPs. He’s a relentless motor with a blend of speed and power that overwhelms blockers.
Yes, it’s fair to ask whether the Giants should keep pouring resources into the front seven. But Bain isn’t redundant - he’s a unique piece who could elevate the entire unit. If you’re looking for a player with All-Pro upside and the versatility to fit multiple roles, Bain checks every box.
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Speed. That’s what the Giants need at the second level - and Arvell Reese brings it in bunches.
Reese only played two seasons of college ball and logged under 1,000 career defensive snaps, but his impact was undeniable. After a concussion cut his freshman year short, he bounced back in a big way, earning Big Ten Linebacker of the Year honors in 2025 with 69 tackles, 10 for loss, and 6.5 sacks.
He finished his college career with 112 tackles, 13.5 for loss, seven sacks, 34 pressures, and 53 STOPs - all while playing a hybrid role that often saw him lined up on the edge. That versatility mirrors what Abdul Carter brings to the Giants, and pairing the two could give New York a fast, physical, and interchangeable duo that creates matchup nightmares.
The question is whether the Giants want to double down on that type of player. But Reese’s explosiveness, closing speed, and ability to disrupt passing lanes make him a tantalizing option. He’d give the Giants a true sideline-to-sideline presence and a dangerous weapon in Wilson’s pressure packages.
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The offensive line remains a work in progress - and the right tackle spot could be wide open depending on what happens with Jermaine Eluemunor in free agency. If he walks, the Giants are looking at Marcus Mbow and James Hudson as internal options. One’s a developmental prospect, the other struggled mightily in 2025.
Enter Francis Mauigoa.
A three-year starter at right tackle for Miami, Mauigoa brings experience, polish, and consistency. He logged 2,801 career snaps and allowed just 15 pressures and two sacks in 2025. Across his college career, he surrendered only 57 pressures and eight sacks - five of which came as a freshman.
He’s strong in both phases - a steady run blocker and a reliable pass protector. If the Giants want to solidify the right side of the line and give Daniel Jones (or whoever’s under center) a fighting chance, Mauigoa could be the answer. He’s a plug-and-play option with the kind of floor that makes offensive line coaches sleep a little easier.
Bottom Line
The Giants are in a fascinating spot. They’ve got a top-five pick, a new coaching regime, and a roster with holes - but also some promising pieces. Whether they go defense or offense, edge or safety, trench warrior or sideline-to-sideline linebacker, the goal is the same: find a foundational player who can help lead this franchise out of the wilderness.
Caleb Downs, Rueben Bain Jr., Arvell Reese, and Francis Mauigoa all bring “gold jacket” potential in different ways. The question is which one aligns with the Giants’ vision - and whether they’re willing to go bold to get their guy.