As the NFL Draft cycle kicks into full gear following Super Bowl LX, the New York Giants find themselves staring down one of the most pivotal decisions of their rebuild. Holding the No. 5 overall pick, the franchise is at a familiar crossroads: do they invest in a dynamic playmaker to spark the offense, or do they double down on the trenches and build from the inside out?
According to the latest mock draft from PFF’s Max Chadwick, the Giants are leaning toward the latter-selecting Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano to help protect quarterback Jaxson Dart and solidify the offensive line for new head coach John Harbaugh.
And make no mistake, this isn’t just about filling a need. This is about identity.
Harbaugh has long been a coach who builds through toughness and physicality. That philosophy doesn’t start with flashy receivers or gadget plays-it starts with dominating the line of scrimmage. And Fano fits that mold to a tee.
At 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds, Fano enters the 2026 NFL Draft with one of the most decorated résumés of any offensive lineman in the class. He’s the reigning Outland Trophy winner-the first in Utah program history-and he’s been a rock for the Utes over the past two seasons.
In 2025, he posted an 84.0 overall grade from PFF, allowing zero sacks and zero hits on 382 pass-blocking snaps. That’s not just solid-it’s elite.
With veteran right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor set to hit free agency, the Giants have a clear hole on the right side of the line. Fano would slide in opposite Andrew Thomas, giving the Giants a potential bookend tackle duo that could anchor the offense for years to come. And for a team that’s been plagued by injuries and inconsistency up front, Fano’s durability and versatility-he’s started 11 games at left tackle and 24 at right-offer much-needed stability.
But what really sets Fano apart isn’t just his pass protection. It’s his dominance in the run game.
Utah led all Power Five programs in rushing last season, averaging a staggering 269.8 yards per game. Fano was the engine behind that ground attack. Whether he’s pulling across the formation as a lead blocker or sealing the edge in wide-zone concepts, his ability to reach the second level and finish blocks makes him a perfect fit for Mike Bloomgren’s offensive line room.
In 2024, Fano earned a 93.6 run-blocking grade from PFF. He followed that up with an 80.0 grade in 2025. That kind of consistency, especially in a scheme that values mobility and power, makes him a plug-and-play option from Day 1.
Now, there’s certainly a case to be made for adding a dynamic receiver-names like Carnell Tate (Ohio State) and Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) have been floated around in mock drafts. And sure, pairing another weapon with Malik Nabers could elevate the Giants’ passing game in a hurry. But when you’ve got a young quarterback like Jaxson Dart, the best way to help him might not be another target-it might be giving him time to breathe.
Fano gives you that. He gives you a foundation. He gives you a tone-setter.
And for a Giants team that’s looking to turn the page under Harbaugh, that might be exactly what they need.