15 fits for the Giants' first two NFL Draft picks — with help from ‘The Beast’

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On Wednesday, The Athletic draft guru Dane Brugler published the latest edition of his essential draft guide, covering more than 2,000 prospects with more than 400 player profiles. It is an indispensable tool for anyone interested in the draft — including beat writers! Using “The Beast,” we compiled 15 potential first- and second-round targets for the New York Giants. As of now, they own the Nos. 5 and 37 picks in the first two rounds. These are the key specs, a snippet from Brugler’s scouting report for each, and a breakdown of why they might fit in New York. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 2 overall, RB1 Height: 6’0’’ • Weight: 212 lbs. Age: 20.90 2025 stats: 199 carries, 1,372 yards, 18 TDs in 12 games Scouting report: “Overall, Love is an explosive athlete with a remarkable blend of balance and burst to be dynamic as both a runner and in the passing game. He is one of the most talented players in the 2026 draft class and projects as a high-upside NFL weapon.” The fit: Here we go again with positional value and running backs. Giants fans know the conversation all too well after Saquon Barkley. But as this team moves forward with a new coaching staff, the front office has acknowledged it’s in a different spot heading into the 2026 season than it was during Barkley negotiations a few years back. There’s a young quarterback on a rookie deal and a more complete offensive line. That means conversations around Love, who is one of the top prospects in this class, can be entertained more seriously. Plus, new coach John Harbaugh really likes the back out of Notre Dame. The Giants’ running back room features the physical Cam Skattebo and fullback Patrick Ricard. Love fits with the toughness the Giants are looking to bring. We’ll see if the Giants stick with their No. 5 pick and if they believe he’s still the best player available, should he be available there. One of the draft’s top athletes: explosive, with a remarkable blend of balance and burst. LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 4, LB1 Height: 6’5’’ • Weight: 244 lbs. Age: 21.41 2025 stats: 82 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 3 PDs, one interception in 14 games Scouting report: “Styles is an outstanding size-speed athlete who is comfortable in space, reacts well to what he sees and plays with the physicality to mark up the stat sheet. With elite subpackage value, he has the talent to become an impact linebacker early in his NFL career.” The fit: The Giants overhauled their inside linebacker room this offseason. Bobby Okereke was a cap casualty, and they brought in Tremaine Edmunds during free agency. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson called Edmunds someone who “plays with a high motor.” Next to Edmunds figures to be Micah McFadden, who re-signed after missing most of last season with an injury. But if the Giants really wanted to change the linebackers room, bringing in Styles could be the ticket to not only completing the overhaul but also emphasizing how important stopping the run is to this team. Freaky athlete on track to be an impact linebacker. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 5, S1 Height: 6’0’’ • Weight: 206 lbs. Age: 21.37 2025 stats: 68 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 3 PDs, 2 interceptions in 14 games Scouting report: “Downs sees the field like it’s a chess board and plays with an exceptional combination of intelligence, urgency and toughness, allowing him to be disruptive from anywhere on the field. His intangibles and on-field versatility will make him an impactful NFL starter early in his career.” The fit: Selecting a safety with the No. 5 pick would certainly be splashy, but wouldn’t you expect Harbaugh to be bold in his first draft with the Giants? The team has Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin as starting safeties, but Downs would reset the room entirely. Brugler has previously written that, “One could argue that (Downs) is the best safety prospect since Eric Berry, a top-10 pick (fifth overall) of the Chiefs 16 years ago.” That’s an exciting proposition if the Giants want to transform the secondary. An elite tackler who did not allow a touchdown for two years; a surefire NFL starter. CB Mansoor Delane, LSU The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 6, CB1 Height: 6’0’’ • Weight: 182 lbs. Age: 22.35 2025 stats: 45 tackles, 13 PDs, 2 interceptions in 11 games Scouting report: “Delane plays with the route anticipation and temperament to stay attached in coverage and squeeze catch windows. He projects as a starting outside NFL cornerback, with the skill set to move inside over the slot.” The fit: The cornerback spot has been a question mark for the Giants the last few seasons, with the team bringing in Paulson Adebo last offseason. It was Cor’Dale Flott who had a breakout year, but he landed a big free-agent deal with the Titans. The Giants turned to Greg Newsome on a one-year deal to pair with Adebo and Andru Phillips inside. Using a top pick on a corner would add a more long-term option to the room. Brugler called Delane “arguably the best cornerback in college football” last season. An alpha competitor who projects as a starter despite his average size. OL Spencer Fano, Utah The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 8, OT1 Height: 6’6’’ • Weight: 311 lbs. Age: 21.47 2025 stats: 12 games at RT Scouting report: “Fano has the feet, demeanor and recovery balance of a starting NFL tackle. He also has a knack for losing slowly, despite possessing average length and core strength. He has the talent to be an immediate NFL starter at right tackle or guard.” The fit: The Giants have their tackles, with Andrew Thomas returning on the left side and Jermaine Eluemunor back on a three-year deal to anchor the right side. They have backup tackle depth in Marcus Mbow, last year’s fifth-round pick. And they have plenty of interior depth pieces to compete for the right guard spot, which remains a question mark. But the Giants have yet to bring in a true starter this offseason, and that’s why they need to look to the trenches in this draft. Enter Fano, who is the top tackle for Brugler. In terms of tackle backup, Brugler has him as a more natural right tackle than left. But you’re not using a top pick on a backup player. Could the Giants view Fano’s NFL future at guard and select him as someone who could be plugged in right away? When Utah needed a yard, it ran behind No. 55; he projects as an immediate starter. Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 9, Edge3 Height: 6’2’’ • Weight: 263 lbs. Age: 21.62 2025 stats: 54 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 PD, 1 interception in 16 games Scouting report: “Bain has some size/speed constraints, but his power profile, leveraged attack and tenacious play style show in all areas of his game and directly lead to backfield disruption. He projects as a scheme-versatile NFL starter who can line up wide, over the tackle or inside as a three-technique.” The fit: OK, yes, we know the Giants don’t need another edge. It’s arguably their strongest position on the roster with Brian Burns and last year’s No. 3 pick Abdul Carter, along with Kayvon Thibodeaux. But hear us out — specifically the “scheme-versatile NFL starter” part of Brugler’s scouting report. Imagine Bain paired inside at three-technique alongside Dexter Lawrence (assuming a deal is reached) with Burns and Carter on the outside. That’s a pretty scary thought for opposing offenses. Again, the likelihood the Giants go edge when they just went that route last draft? Slim. But why not? Not a prototypical edge, but his power and play style will still disrupt NFL backfields. WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 10, WR1 Height: 6’2’’ • Weight: 192 lbs. Age: 21.26 2025 stats: 51 receptions, 875 yards, 9 TDs in 11 games Scouting report: “Overall, Tate is a long, technically proficient receiver who can win at all three levels using high-level tracking/adjustment skills and catching radius. He projects as an immediate NFL starting Z with Pro Bowl upside.” The fit: The wide receiver room is in an interesting spot after Wan’Dale Robinson departed in free agency. The featured star is Malik Nabers, who is recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus. While the hope is Nabers will be ready for the season, the receiver said earlier this offseason he’ll be ready on his own timeline. During free agency, the Giants added veteran support in the form of 28-year-old Darnell Mooney and 27-year-old Calvin Austin III, who both signed one-year deals. The room could use another young, starter-ready option for quarterback Jaxson Dart. A Day 1 NFL starter and potential Pro Bowler. G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 12, G1 Height: 6’4’’ • Weight: 320 lbs. Age: 22.01 2025 stats: LG for 11 games Scouting report: “Overall, Ioane is a thick, sturdy blocker who consistently holds his ground in pass protection and covers up defenders in the run game. Built in the mold of Steve Avila, he projects as a long-term NFL starter at either guard spot.” The fit: The Giants added Lucas Patrick and Daniel Faalele this week to pair with the guard depth options already on the roster, which also includes Aaron Stinnie, Evan Neal and Josh Ezeudu. But a long-term option from the draft feels like a must. The question is whether they’ll use a first-round pick on the position. Ioane could be the option as Brugler’s top-ranked guard. And if the Giants do trade back in the first, he could be an ideal selection. A thick, nasty mauler on track to be a long-term NFL starter. WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 20, WR3 Height: 6’2’’ • Weight: 203 lbs. Age: 21.69 2025 stats: 61 receptions, 711 yards, 8 TDs in nine games Scouting report: “Tyson’s injury history is concerning, but on the field, he is a sleek, twitched-up athlete who can create his own separation and win outside his frame at the catch point. He projects as an NFL starter (inside or outside), with a skill set that reminds me of Stefon Diggs.” The fit: Again, if the Giants trade back from the No. 5 spot, perhaps they go with a receiver who has a first-round/second-round grade but might feel too rich of a selection at No. 5. Though with one receiver already questionable to start the season due to injury, Tyson’s medical history (he’s missed games in each of his four seasons) might be too much to ignore. An elite ball-catcher who evokes Stefon Diggs, and a likely NFL starter. CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 24, CB3 Height: 6’0’’ • Weight: 193 lbs. Age: 21.45 2025 stats: 49 tackles, 8 PDs, 4 interceptions in 11 games Scouting report: “Johnson offers a combination of instinctive eyes and athletic movement skills that allow him to consistently make plays on the football. He should compete for a starting role on day one, while also making an impact on special teams.” The fit: If the Giants are looking for a long-term solution at an outside corner spot, Johnson is a candidate. While Johnson can “get big-boyed at times by receivers and in the run game, … he doesn’t go down without a fight,” per Brugler. That effort would be an encouraging trait for this new coaching staff. Hyperaware with instinctive eyes; should compete for a starting role on day one. DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 32, DT1 Height: 6’2’’ • Weight: 326 lbs. Age: 21.12 2025 stats: 65 tackles, 9.0 TFLS, 3.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles in 14 games Scouting report: “McDonald will require time to develop a pass-rush identity, but his dominant run-game qualities will make him immediately useful from different interior alignments. He projects as an early-down rookie, with a role that should continue to expand.” The fit: The top defensive tackle in Brugler’s rankings, McDonald could be just what the Giants need if he’s still available in the second round. And this from Brugler has to be music to Giants fans’ ears: “McDonald’s powerful skill set is at its best when he acts as a run defender.” The Giants already needed to boost their defensive line, but with Lawrence publicly requesting a trade, that places even more emphasis on the need to bolster it. A dominant run defender who will be immediately useful on early downs — if not more. G Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 34, G2 Height: 6’5’’ • Weight: 315 lbs. Age: 21.87 2025 stats: LG in 13 games Scouting report: “Bisontis is a burly, sawed-off blocker with the body quickness and core strength to get the upper hand in all phases. He projects as an eventual NFL starter and has traits that will speak to both zone and power schemes.” The fit: What could be better than landing a potential future starting guard? Landing a homegrown potential future starting guard — Bisontis went to New Jersey’s Don Bosco Prep. He could be the next Jersey Giant if the New York franchise wanted to take more of a project player who could learn behind the depth pieces before taking over. WR Germie Bernard, Alabama The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 41, WR7 Height: 6’1’’ • Weight: 206 lbs. Age: 22.39 2025 stats: 64 receptions, 862 yards, 7 TDs in 14 games Scouting report: “Bernard has a well-rounded, pro-ready skill set, with the frame, ball skills and smooth athleticism to be a dependable target. He projects as a starting Z receiver and as an NFL team’s second or third option.” The fit: Bernard could be the perfect fit alongside Nabers. The Giants should also be running a lot of 12 personnel after bringing in tight end Isaiah Likely, so having a go-to No. 2 receiver will be important. As Brugler notes, it will be more of a challenge for Bernard to create separation versus NFL corners, but he “competes with the toughness to play through contact.” A valuable trait. Just a good football player, with a well-rounded, pro-ready skill set. DT Christen Miller, Georgia The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 43, DT3 Height: 6’4’’ • Weight: 321 lbs. Age: 21.71 2025 stats: 23 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 1.5 sacks in 14 games Scouting report: “Miller can be up and down with his anchor and rush consistency, but he is rock solid as a run defender who should excel on early downs. His role will shift depending on scheme, though he projects best as a one-gapping nose in a four-man front.” The fit: “Rock solid as a run defender” is good to hear. While the Giants have one of the better nose tackles in the league in Lawrence, Miller played multiple positions in college, so he’s versatile even though his best position might be as a one-gapping nose tackle. A rock-solid run defender who should excel on early downs. G Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon The Beast’s Top 100 rank: No. 57, G3 Height: 6’4’’ • Weight: 314 lbs. Age: 24.55 2025 stats: 14 games at LG and one game at RG Scouting report: “Pregnon checks the boxes for size, power and competitive demeanor that NFL teams — specifically, those running gap schemes — look for in a starting guard. His profile is reminiscent of a more explosive O’Cyrus Torrence, and his draft projection should be similar.” The fit: If the emphasis on the trenches wasn’t clear, let’s throw in one more guard. Pregnon checks all the NFL boxes and is Brugler’s third-ranked guard. He’s a late bloomer on the football field, per Brugler, so perhaps his best football is in front of him. Checks the boxes NFL teams look for, and a great fit for a gap scheme. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Charlotte Carroll covers the New York Giants for The Athletic. She previously covered the University of Connecticut basketball and the WNBA's Connecticut Sun for The Athletic and wrote for Sports Illustrated. She interned at The Denver Post and Field & Stream magazine. Follow Charlotte on Twitter @charlottecrrll