The road to the 2026 NFL Draft is officially open, and it kicked off in classic fashion with a full week of practices leading up to the Senior Bowl. That annual showcase in Mobile, Alabama, is where draft boards start to take shape. Some prospects rise, others slide, and a few under-the-radar names suddenly find themselves on the radar of front offices league-wide.
But for the New York Giants, the week in Mobile was a bit quieter than expected - at least publicly. Both general manager Joe Schoen and new head coach John Harbaugh were absent from the Senior Bowl practices, opting instead to focus on finalizing the team’s coaching staff.
While that might raise some eyebrows, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Giants are behind the curve. The real question is how much weight they’ll place on Senior Bowl performances in their evaluations this year - especially considering their history of targeting players who’ve impressed during that week.
What’s particularly interesting is that in ESPN’s latest two-round mock draft - released after the Senior Bowl - neither of the Giants’ projected picks actually participated in Mobile. That’s not necessarily a red flag, but it does underscore that the Giants may be looking beyond the Senior Bowl bubble when it comes to their top selections.
Round 1, Pick 5: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Let’s start with the first-round projection: Carnell Tate, wide receiver out of Ohio State. This pick makes a lot of sense for a Giants team that has a solid foundation but still needs more firepower on offense.
With young quarterback Jaxson Dart under center, flanked by dynamic weapons like Cam Skattebo in the backfield and Malik Nabers out wide, there’s a clear effort to build something explosive. Add in cornerstone lineman Andrew Thomas, pass rushers Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, and defensive anchor Dexter Lawrence II, and you’ve got a roster with real potential.
But potential only gets you so far - the Giants need to add polish and production. Tate brings both.
He’s a technician at the position. His route running is crisp, his hands are reliable, and he has a knack for making contested catches in traffic.
Think of him as a high-floor, high-ceiling receiver who doesn’t need to be flashy to be effective. There are shades of Justin Jefferson in his game - not just in body type and skill set, but in how consistently he wins on the field.
That’s the kind of player who makes life easier for a young quarterback and takes pressure off other playmakers.
Pairing Tate with Nabers gives Dart two legit targets who can win at all three levels of the field. And for a QB who’s shown flashes of Mahomes-like playmaking ability - sometimes to the concern of Giants fans watching him put his body on the line - that kind of support could be a game-changer.
The Giants don’t need Dart to be a hero on every snap. They need him to be efficient, protected, and surrounded by weapons.
Tate helps check all three boxes.
Now, yes - the Giants could consider a right tackle here, especially if they don’t bring back Jermaine Eluemunor. They could also look at the secondary. But with the top tackles likely off the board by No. 5 and the opportunity to grab a high-impact receiver, this feels like the right move.
Round 2, Pick 37: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
This is where things get a little more complicated.
D’Angelo Ponds is, without question, one of the most instinctive defenders in this class. He’s a ballhawk with seven career interceptions and a reputation for being a spark plug on defense.
At 5'9", 175 pounds, he’s undersized by NFL standards - but he plays with the kind of quickness and grit that makes him hard to ignore. His tape at Indiana shows a player who never shies away from contact and consistently finds ways to impact the game.
That said, this pick raises eyebrows for a different reason: fit.
The Giants already have Dru Phillips, who emerged as one of the league’s top nickel defenders during his rookie campaign. While the first half of the season was rocky - largely due to the instability on that side of the ball - Phillips turned it around in the second half under new defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen. By season’s end, he was back to locking down slot receivers and making plays in space.
So if Phillips is already manning the nickel, where does Ponds fit?
This isn’t about Ponds’ talent - it’s about roster construction. The Giants have bigger needs elsewhere, and using a premium pick on a player whose best position is already filled feels like a missed opportunity.
Better Options at 37?
If the Giants are on the clock at 37 and looking to make an impact, there are a couple of names that make more sense.
Lee Hunter, the defensive tackle out of Texas Tech, is one of them. He’s a stout run defender with the power to collapse the pocket and disrupt plays before they develop.
Plugging him into a rotation with Dexter Lawrence and Darius Alexander would give the Giants a nasty interior front - the kind that makes life miserable for opposing offensive lines. Hunter’s ability to anchor against the run while still offering some pass-rush upside makes him a valuable piece for a defense looking to take the next step.
Then there’s Max Iheanachor, the right tackle from Arizona State. He’s raw, no doubt - a latecomer to football who’s still learning the nuances of the position.
But he’s got the tools: size, length, athleticism, and a mean streak in the run game. With the right development, he could be the kind of player who anchors the right side of the line for years.
Even if the Giants re-sign Eluemunor, Iheanachor is worth a long look. Depth at tackle is never a bad thing, especially when you’re building around a young quarterback.
Final Thoughts
The Giants are at a pivotal point. They’ve got a young core, a new coaching staff, and a quarterback who’s shown he can make plays - sometimes in spite of his surroundings. The next step is giving him the support he needs to thrive without having to play hero ball every week.
Carnell Tate would be a big step in that direction. He’s a polished, pro-ready receiver who fits perfectly with what the Giants are trying to build.
As for the second-round pick, there’s no question D’Angelo Ponds is a baller. But with other needs - and other quality players still on the board - the Giants might be better served looking elsewhere. Whether it’s bolstering the trenches or adding depth at key positions, there are smarter ways to use that pick.
The draft is a long game. And if the Giants play it right, this could be the offseason that sets them up for a serious run in the NFC.