New York Giants NFL Draft Prediction: First Two Rounds

The New York Giants are soon to be on the clock. Following the blockbuster trade that sent Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals this past Saturday, General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach John Harbaugh now have three premium picks to work with in the first two rounds of this year's NFL Draft.

While the Lawrence trade was shocking, it's positioned the Giants with two top-10 selections. New York now holds the No. 5 and No. 10 picks in the first round, along with the No. 37 pick at the top of the second.

So who might the Giants choose in the first and second rounds? They have a flurry of needs on both sides of the ball. Defensive and offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback, and linebacker are all positions that the Giants hope to shore up with impact players.

Schoen and Harbaugh could not have asked for a better first draft together; the outcome of the first two rounds can set the tone for this team for years to come.

With that, I'm on the clock.

Round 1, Pick 5: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

This pick is highly dependent on how the Tennessee Titans pick at No. 4. I believe they’ll choose between Styles and Jeremiyah Love, likely opting for the latter to give Cam Ward an explosive playmaker.

With Love off the board, the Giants take the best player available in Styles. At 6'5" and 245 pounds, he fills a massive void at linebacker and should compete for a starting spot on day one. Pairing him with Tremaine Edmunds in the middle? Sheesh. It's an exciting thought knowing that he can help bring a Giants linebacking corps back to relevancy after some really tough years.

The pick seems simple: go get Styles and anchor the defense for the future.

Round 1, Pick 10: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Pick 10 is where things get interesting. The Giants could consider trading back to net a late first and extra mid-round capital, but my gut says they stay firm.

After the Raiders take Fernando Mendoza at No. 1, the top of the draft should lean toward high-caliber defensive talent. I expect Carnell Tate to be the first receiver off the board, likely to Washington at No. 7 (great). After that, it’s a toss-up. While the Saints (No. 8) and Chiefs (No. 9) have receiver needs, there is also a very strong chance that the Saints take defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. and the Chiefs elect to go with an offensive tackle in Francis Mauigoa to protect Patrick Mahomes.

That clears the path for the Giants to take Jordyn Tyson. Schoen was at Tyson's pro day last Friday and even dined with him later that evening. If you’re looking for an indication of interest, there it is. At 6'2" and 200+ pounds, Tyson would create a dynamic duo with Malik Nabers; think Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins 2.0. Despite some hamstring concerns, his production is undeniable: 711 yards and 8 TDs in just 9 games last year following a 1,000-yard season in 2024. Flipping an aging Dexter Lawrence to secure the wide receiving corps of the future is a win.

Round 2, Pick 37: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech

The Lawrence trade leaves the Giants thin at defensive tackle. I don't expect Kayden McDonald to be available here, so I’m looking at the offensive line. While Greg Newsome and Paulson Adebo have solidified the cornerback room, the interior O-line could use some help.

My guess is at least five linemen go in the first round, mostly tackles, leaving a few high-pedigree guards available. While Chase Bisontis or Emmanuel Pregnon are options, Keylan Rutledge is the fit.

Rutledge is a physical specimen (6'4", 315+ lbs), having spent his senior season blocking for the ultra-mobile Haynes King. He has the profile of a "Harbaugh guy"; stout enough to anchor against powerful defensive linemen, but athletic enough to pull and set the tone on the edge.

I'm all for it if the Giants can grab him at 37.

In Conclusion

The Giants address multiple needs this weekend, picking up guys that can be early contributors. Styles, Tyson, and Rutledge would be the dream for this team. If all goes to plan, John Harbaugh will have a few more gritty players to help him establish a winning culture in year one.

Of course, the draft always holds surprises, but if the board falls this way, the Giants are set up for a massive turnaround. We’ll see what happens when Big Blue is officially on the clock.