The Giants Are in the Driver’s Seat for the No. 1 Pick - But Can They Stay There?
Let’s be honest: Giants fans have had a rough go of it this season. Sitting at 2-11 and officially the first team eliminated from playoff contention, New York’s 2025 campaign has been more about survival than success.
But even in a year like this, there’s still something very real to play for - and no, we’re not talking about pride. We’re talking about the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Right now, the Giants are in pole position for the top selection, and while that might not sound like a reward, it absolutely can be. Not just because of the potential to land a franchise player, but because of what that pick could fetch on the trade market.
Teams starving for a quarterback - think the Jets, Steelers, or Raiders - could be willing to give up a king’s ransom to move up. And with rookie QB Jaxson Dart already flashing promise in his first year, the Giants are one of the rare bottom-tier teams that might not need to take a quarterback themselves.
That’s where things get tricky.
A Soft Landing to End the Season
The Giants’ remaining schedule is, to put it kindly, light. They’ll face four teams that aren’t exactly juggernauts - the Commanders, Vikings, and Raiders among them - and that opens the door for something fans have seen before: a late-season surge that feels good in the moment but hurts in the long run.
Just last year, Tommy DeVito - the undrafted, hometown underdog - caught fire down the stretch, going 3-3 after Daniel Jones went down. It was a feel-good story, no doubt, but it also nudged the Giants out of range for top-tier QB prospects like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels. And while the 2026 draft class doesn’t have quite the same headliners, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is widely projected as the top quarterback on the board - and he’ll be in high demand.
If the Giants hold onto that No. 1 pick, they’ll have leverage. The kind of leverage that can reshape a franchise. But if they start stacking wins against a soft December slate, they could lose that shot altogether.
More Competitive Than the Record Shows
Here’s the thing: this isn’t your typical 2-11 team. The Giants have actually been more competitive than their record suggests.
They’ve had more offensive snaps while leading this season than the Lions, Bills, and Broncos - all teams still in the playoff mix. The problem hasn’t been talent; it’s been closing games.
A few fourth-quarter meltdowns, and suddenly you’re staring at a brutal record that doesn’t quite reflect the fight this team has shown.
That’s both encouraging and concerning. Encouraging because it means the roster isn’t totally broken. Concerning because it means they’re capable of winning a few more games before the season wraps - and that could be costly.
The Kafka Conundrum
Another wrinkle in all this? Interim head coach Mike Kafka.
He’s not coaching for draft position - he’s coaching for his future. Whether that’s with the Giants or elsewhere, he’s going to want to put some wins on tape.
That makes a full-on tank highly unlikely. Players are fighting for jobs, coaches are fighting for contracts, and no one in that locker room is thinking about next April.
They want to win now.
But for the front office - and for fans looking at the long-term picture - the real win is staying right where they are in the draft order.
Circle Week 17
If you’re looking for a game that could swing the top of the draft, keep your eyes on Week 17. That’s when the Giants face the Raiders - another team in the mix for a top pick and potentially in the market for a quarterback. That game could end up being the unofficial “first overall pick bowl,” with major implications for both franchises.
What’s at Stake
The Giants don’t necessarily need the No. 1 pick to rebuild - but having it gives them options. They can take the best player available, flip it for a haul of future picks, or use it to fill a premium position. But all of that goes out the window if they start winning meaningless games down the stretch.
This season is already lost in terms of playoff hopes. What’s left is positioning - and the Giants have a chance to control the board in April.
That’s a powerful spot to be in. But only if they don’t mess it up with a few too many wins in December.
So yes, victories feel good. But for the Giants right now, the smartest move might be standing pat - and letting the losses do the work.