Giants Now: Mel Kiper’s final mock draft goes two rounds

Mel Kiper’s final mock draft goes two rounds

We are just over one week out from the start of the 2026 NFL Draft, which means mock draft season is heating up.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper just released his final predictions for next week’s draft. But unlike his previous editions, Kiper projected the first two rounds this time around.

With the fifth overall pick, the draft analyst did not change his selection from his last mock draft, sticking with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

“I could see Carnell Tate as the team’s No. 2 receiver opposite Malik Nabers,” wrote Kiper. “I could certainly see Sonny Styles quarterbacking the defense from the middle linebacker spot. But I keep coming back to what Downs could do from the back end of this secondary. Next to Jevon Holland, his incredible instincts would pop in this defense. Downs would be the first safety taken in the top five since Eric Berry went to the Chiefs in 2010, and he’d be worth it.”

Downs began his career at Alabama, where he was named SEC Freshman of the Year and second-team All-American after registering 107 total tackles (70 solo), two interceptions, four passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery across 14 games. The 6-foot, 206-pound safety then entered the transfer portal after Nick Saban’s departure from Tuscaloosa, which led to him landing at Ohio State.

Downs only got better during his two seasons with the Buckeyes. He was named Unanimous All-American, Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, and first-team All-Big Ten after both of his seasons in Columbus, while playing a big role in Ohio State’s run to a National Championship in 2024.

After his standout 2025 campaign, Downs also took home the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back, in addition to the Lott Trophy and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Here are the top 5 picks in Kiper’s final mock draft:

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech
3. Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio State
4. Tennessee Titans – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
5. New York Giants – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State