The New York Giants have several holes to fill this upcoming offseason, but don’t particularly have the ammunition to do so.
According to Over the Cap, they are ranked 19th in available salary cap space in 2026 with $17.5 million to work with entering the offseason.
They have control of their first and second round selections, but their third-round pick belongs to the Houston Texans thanks to the Jaxson Dart trade during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Currently armed with the No. 2 overall pick, New York’s best bet is likely to look for a team desperate for a quarterback and move down the board to accumulate future capital to rebuild the roster.
Well, in Nick Baumgardner’s latest mock draft for The Athletic, he has Big Blue doing just that.
Giants Trade Down From No. 2 with Browns
Baumgardner’s mock begins with the Las Vegas Raiders selecting Oregon quarterback Dante Moore with the No. 1 overall pick, kicking off a Fernando Mendoza sweepstakes at the No. 2 overall pick.
The Cleveland Browns were projected to be the team to pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade with the New York Giants to land their future quarterback.
“The Giants could be in a great spot if they finish the year with the No. 2 pick. They don’t need a quarterback and, despite their record, have enough maturing young talent on the roster to potentially make a jump next year. Trading back for more assets could be a big part of that process,” wrote Baumgardner.
“Meanwhile, the Browns are in almost the same spot as the Raiders, depending on how much Shedeur Sanders changes the math. It’s time to make a choice about the next long-term QB.”
Baumgardner does not have compensation listed for the projected trade, but a move up from pick No. 6 to No. 2 certainly warrants Cleveland’s extra first-round pick.
They received the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ 2026 first in the trade that landed the Jags Travis Hunter.
Using that deal as a blueprint for this hypothetical trade, the Giants would net the Browns two firsts this year, and likely a second-round pick in either 2026 or 2027.
That would certainly restock the draft capital cupboard for whoever the general manager is in 2026.
Giants Select Ohio State’s Carnell Tate No. 6 Overall
With the New York Giants now picking at sixth overall, they grab Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate to pair up with Dart and Malik Nabers.
“The 2027 wide receiver class (which should include freaky dudes such as Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, Alabama’s Ryan Williams and more) will be one to remember,” continued Baumgardner.
“But don’t sleep on the 2026 group. Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and USC’s Makai Lemon are potential No. 1 WRs in the NFL. Physically, Tate could be outstanding opposite Malik Nabers.”
With Wan’Dale Robinson more than likely to depart in free agency, the Giants can’t afford to rely on Darius Slayton as a reliable No. 2 option.
Enter the next great wide receiver prospect from Ohio State, Tate.
Tate would be a perfect complement to Nabers’ blazing speed and provide Dart a reliable, big-bodied option in his second season in the pros.
Exiting this draft with a boatload of extra picks and Tate would be a homerun offseason for Big Blue.
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