Matt Citak
"Make the Case" is officially back on Giants.com for the 2026 NFL Draft.
In this series, we look atprojections provided by analystsand then ask you, the fans, to weigh in on what the Giants should do in the draft.
Next up, we're going to break down the latest predictions from NFL.com's Chad Reuter and ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.
Reuter's Pick
Pick:Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Height:6-foot-0 |Weight:212 pounds
2025 Stats:12 games, 199 rush attempts for 1,372 yards (6.9 avg.) and 19 touchdowns; 27 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns
Accolades:Unanimous All-American (2025), Doak Walker Award (2025)
"It's still possible John Harbaugh goes for a defensive back like Caleb Downs, mirroring his selections while in Baltimore. An explosive playmaker like Love might be too good to pass up, though, as defenses will need to stay in their gaps on run plays and securely tackle in the open field to prevent the former Notre Dame star from breaking away for big gains."
Kiper's Pick
Pick:Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Height:6-feet |Weight:206 pounds
2025 Stats:14 games, 68 total tackles (45 solo), one sack, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two interceptions
Accolades:2x Unanimous All-American (2024,2025), Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2025), 2x Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year (2024,2025), Jim Thorpe Award (2025), Lott Trophy (2025), 2x First-Team All-Big Ten (2024, 2025), CFP National Champion (2024), Second-Team All-American (2023), SEC Freshman of the Year (2023), First-Team All-SEC (2023)
"Downs has been a dominant force longer than any other defender in this class. The former Alabama and Ohio State All-American is a shapeshifter, deploying down in the box against the run or patrolling the back end with excellent coverage range."
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