The New York Giants are staring down the barrel of another long offseason, and general manager Joe Schoen is squarely in the crosshairs. Two straight years in the NFC East basement, a midseason coaching change, and a roster full of question marks have left Schoen with little margin for error. But with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft now in his back pocket, he may still have one last shot to flip the script-if he plays it right.
Let’s be real: the Giants haven’t won a game since parting ways with Brian Daboll after Week 10, and the front office has been under fire ever since. Schoen’s job security isn’t exactly on solid ground, but for now, he’s been given the green light to lead the head coaching search. That alone has raised some eyebrows, but it also signals that ownership is giving him at least one more offseason to prove he can right the ship.
And according to the latest mock draft from Justin Melo, that “prove-it” moment could come with a bold move that reshapes the top of the draft board.
A Franchise-Altering Trade at No. 1?
Instead of staying put and taking a quarterback at No. 1, Melo projects the Giants trading down with the Los Angeles Rams-a move that would give Schoen a treasure chest of picks and a chance to address multiple roster holes in one fell swoop.
Here’s the deal as proposed: the Giants send the top overall pick to the Rams in exchange for the 11th and 28th picks in the 2026 Draft, plus a first- and third-rounder in 2027.
The Rams, clearly eyeing life after Matthew Stafford, use the top pick to grab Indiana’s Heisman-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza. That’s a swing-for-the-future kind of move by Sean McVay and Les Snead. For the Giants, it’s a calculated pivot-one that signals a commitment to building around rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart rather than replacing him.
Building the Trenches: Spencer Fano at No. 11
With the first of their two first-rounders, the Giants shore up their offensive line by selecting Utah tackle Spencer Fano. At 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds, Fano brings a rare blend of size, athleticism, and controlled aggression. His footwork and body control allow him to mirror speed rushers, while his physicality in the run game gives him the edge the Giants have been sorely lacking up front.
For a team that’s struggled to protect its quarterbacks in recent years-Evan Neal’s development hasn’t gone as planned-Fano offers a fresh start at a premium position. He’s the kind of tone-setter who could anchor the line for years and make life a whole lot easier for Dart in the pocket.
A Big-Play Threat at No. 28: Denzel Boston
Later in the round, the Giants address another glaring need by adding size and skill to their receiving corps. Washington’s Denzel Boston, a 6-foot-4 wideout with excellent body control and physicality, is the pick at No.
- He profiles as the ideal X-receiver in New York’s offense-someone who can win contested catches, stretch the field, and give Dart a true outside weapon.
This move also helps balance out a receiver room that’s been in flux. With Malik Nabers recovering from a torn ACL and expected to return by next season, he can handle the short-to-intermediate game, while Wan’Dale Robinson-if he’s brought back-can continue to work out of the slot. Boston gives the Giants a vertical presence they’ve been missing, and his ability to win one-on-one matchups could be huge for a young quarterback trying to find his footing.
A Draft That Signals Direction
Let’s not sugarcoat it-this doesn’t undo the missteps of the past. The Giants have missed on early picks before, and the roster still has holes. But a draft like this would be a clear sign that Schoen is finally committing to a long-term vision: protect the quarterback, give him weapons, and build from the inside out.
It’s also a sign of trust in Jaxson Dart, who’s had flashes but hasn’t had the support system around him to truly thrive. Surrounding him with a high-upside tackle and a physical, reliable target on the outside? That’s how you develop a young QB the right way.
Schoen may be running out of chances, but if he can pull off a draft like this-one that brings in foundational pieces on both sides of the ball-he just might buy himself more time in the big chair. And for a franchise that’s been stuck in neutral, that kind of forward momentum is exactly what the Giants need.