The New York Giants are limping into their bye week at 2-11, and while the record is rough, it does come with a silver lining: they currently hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s a powerful spot to be in - especially when you’ve already got your quarterback.
Jaxson Dart is the guy in New York. The Giants made that clear when they traded up to get him, and now the focus shifts to building around him.
That’s where things get interesting. Sitting at No. 2 with a franchise QB already in place, the Giants are in prime position to entertain trade offers - and there could be a bidding war brewing.
Just behind them in the draft order are four teams with glaring quarterback needs: the Saints, Raiders, Browns, and Jets. And it’s the Jets who might be the most aggressive suitor.
They stocked up on first-round picks at the trade deadline and are clearly looking to reset under center. With multiple early picks in hand and a desperate need at QB, they’re a team to watch when it comes to moving up the board.
Now, this year’s quarterback class could be top-heavy. Right now, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the name at the top.
He checks a lot of boxes - size, arm talent, football IQ, athleticism - and he’s a redshirt junior with three years of starting experience. Translation: he’s likely headed to the draft.
After Mendoza, though, things get murky. Alabama’s Ty Simpson has the tools but only one year as a starter, so he may stay in school.
Oregon’s Dante Moore has upside but is still raw and a redshirt sophomore. So if Mendoza ends up being one of only two top-tier quarterbacks in this class, the value of the No. 2 pick could skyrocket.
And that’s where the Giants come in.
They’re in a spot where trading down could be the best-case scenario. They’re missing their third-round pick (spent in the Dart trade), and they need to build out the roster with young talent. Sliding down a few spots while adding draft capital could be the move that helps this team take the next step.
Let’s look at the numbers. The Giants currently hold the 2nd, 34th, 102nd, 142nd, 181st, 191st, and 195th picks.
That’s decent, but not ideal for a team trying to build around a young quarterback. A trade with the Jets - who have picks 7, 23 (from the Colts), 38, and 48 (from the Cowboys) in 2026, plus first-rounders from Indy and Dallas in 2027 - could change that in a hurry.
There’s precedent here, too. Back in 2016, the Eagles moved up from 8th to 2nd to land Carson Wentz, giving up a package that included multiple first- and second-round picks.
The Giants probably wouldn’t get quite that haul from the Jets, but the framework is there. Something like the 7th, 48th, 108th, and a future first could be on the table - and that’s a serious return.
And the 7th pick wouldn’t be a consolation prize, either. That range could land a premium talent like Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson, or Utah tackle Spencer Fano - all of whom could be immediate impact players. Whether it’s protecting Dart, giving him weapons, or bolstering the defense, there’s value to be had.
But for any of this to matter, the Giants need to stay locked into that No. 2 spot - or at least ahead of the other QB-needy teams. If they do, they’ll be sitting in the draft’s power seat: holding a pick that could reshape their roster while other teams scramble for a franchise quarterback.
The season may be lost in the standings, but the Giants are very much in the game when it comes to shaping the future.