PFF’s multi-round mock draft
With the first wave of free agency behind us, the outlook for the 2026 NFL Draft has become a bit more clear.
Numerous media outlets released updated mock drafts following all of the moves made in the first week of free agency, with the latest being Pro Football Focus.
In his latest mock draft, PFF’s Gordon McGuinness has the Giants addressing the defensive side of the ball with the selection of Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 5.
“The Giants’ free-agency signing of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds doesn’t dampen their chances of targeting Styles, in my opinion,” wrote McGuinness. “He missed just 2.2% of his tackle attempts and earned 85.0-plus PFF grades in coverage and run defense this past season, ranking second among nearly 200 qualifying draft-eligible linebackers.”
Styles played 16 games as a junior and finished the season with 100 total tackes (48 solo), six sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and five passes defensed. The linebacker was named second-team All-Big Ten while helping Ohio State to a National Championship.
This past season, the 6-foot-5, 244-pound linebacker started 14 games and registered 82 total tackles (46 solo), one sack, 6.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one interception and three pass breakups across 14 games. His performance on the field led to him being named first-team All-American in addition to first-team All-Big Ten.
The hype around Styles increased even more at last month’s NFL Combine, where he put up one of the most athletic performances we’ve ever seen from a linebacker. According to NFL Research, Styles is the only player to run a sub-4.5 40-yard dash with a vertical of 40+ inches and a broad jump of 11+ feet while weighing at least 230 pounds since 2003.
His 9.99 Relative Athletic Score ranked 4th out of 3,216 qualifying linebackers dating back to 1987.
Moving to the second round, McGuinness has the Giants once again adding to the defense, but this time in the secondary with Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood at No. 37.
Hood began his collegiate career at Auburn before transferring to Colorado for the 2024 campaign. In 13 games for the Buffaloes, the 6-feet, 193-pound corner registered two interceptions and six passes defensed in 13 games.
The young corner then transferred to Tennessee last year, where he put together his best season. Hood played in 12 games and recorded 50 tackles (34 solo), including 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception returned for a touchdown, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery, which he also returned for a touchdown. His performance led to him being named second-team All-SEC.
“Hood has average size but excellent play speed and toughness,” wrote NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, who has Hood ranked No. 29 in his latest top 50 prospect rankings. “In press, he is patient, staying on balance before using his hands to redirect at the line of scrimmage. He is fluid to turn, open up and mirror underneath. He has plenty of speed to carry vertical routes… Overall, Hood is a complete player and should be a very solid starter immediately at the next level.”
