New head coach John Harbaugh enjoys having top players at the back end of his defense. He had Ed Reed in his early head coaching days with the Ravens and, more recently, relied on Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore.
Harbaugh has already raved about Caleb Downs, the do-everything safety from Ohio State, and that could be the direction the Giants choose.
Downs is a superior player in almost every way, but he might not be the dynamic, special athlete that warrants the No. 5 pick in this draft.
So, would the Giants trade down a few spots, acquire an extra Day 2 pick and then go for Downs? They have two returning starters, Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin.
Holland was a big-ticket signing in 2025 who did not make a big impact, and Nubin is a 2024 second-round pick who has shown only glimpses of top-end play.
The re-signing of Jason Pinnock, who was with the team from 2022-24 before going to the 49ers in 2025, provides decent depth.
Downs would have to be a Day 1 starter — that is how much playmaking and leadership he brings to the field.