The Athletic’s Dane Brugler releases 7-round mock draft
One week from tonight, the NFL world will converge in Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Between now and then, many draft analysts are going to be coming out with updated predictions for the first round of the draft (and beyond).
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, one of the top draft analysts in the business, recently released his full 7-round mock draft.
With the fifth overall pick, Brugler has the Giants selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
“Over John Harbaugh’s 18 years as head coach in Baltimore, the Ravens drafted nine positions in Round 1, including safety (three times),” wrote Brugler. “Though using a top-five pick for that position is uncommon, Downs has rare football intelligence and (despite not testing in any drills) is above the line in terms of on-field athleticism.”
For more information on Downs, check out yesterday’s Giants Now covering Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft.
Here are the top five picks in Brugler’s mock draft:
- Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
- New York Jets – Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
- Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
- Tennessee Titans – David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
- New York Giants – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Below are the rest of Brugler’s projected picks for the Giants.
Pick at No. 37: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Pick at No. 105: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
Pick at No. 145: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
Pick at No. 186: Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
Pick at No. 192: Anez Cooper, G, Miami
Pick at No. 193: Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech
