New York Giants NFL Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

The Giants believe in QB Jaxson Dart. Now they need to make sure they protect him.

While the Giants front office engaged in preliminary talks to move back, the other team didn't want to part with as many picks as the Giants would've required. So the team stuck at No. 5 and went with, perhaps controversial to some, a safety. But there's no regret with this choice in New York. Downs is No. 4 in Brugler's top 100 rankings and he's "one of the better safeties I have ever evaluated," Brugler said. Downs' skills are hard to pass up, especially for a Giants secondary that's been lacking.

I have Fano as my top tackle, but the gap between him and Miami's Francis Mauigoa isn't significant. Some will argue he's better suited to play guard, and I get why scouts feel that way, but I see an above-average starting tackle in the NFL.

The Giants add another weapon for Jaxson Dart. Tate gives the offense a vertical receiver to play opposite a hopefully-healthy Malik Nabers.

This is my first curveball, as many early mock drafts have linked the Giants to a wide receiver or offensive tackle in this spot. Those are completely understandable, especially if Wan'Dale Robinson and/or Jermaine Eluemunor depart in free agency. But Downs has my attention as the first pick of the John Harbaugh era.

Perhaps no current coach better understands the value of top-flight safety play, as Harbaugh coached Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore. While the Giants have starters in Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, Downs has the upside to change an entire defense as a force multiplier with his deep range and in-the-box skills.

The Giants have oodles of talent on their defensive front and they could look to continue to boost their (underrated) offensive line, or even add another weapon to add to the passing game and build around Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers when he returns from injury. Instead, John Harbaugh and the Giants tab Downs as the highest-drafted safety since Jamal Adams in 2017. They've been leaky to explosive plays over the past couple of seasons, with their defensive backfield being constant culprits in allowing those big plays. Downs' versatility, intelligence and soundness as a player will help shore up those big plays and be the tip of the spear for however new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson wants to use him.

John Harbaugh has a really specific blueprint and the Giants have some really pressing needs on their roster. However, I think they'll make a vanity pick here. They can give Jaxson Dart some help as wide receiver Malik Nabers makes his way back from an ACL tear. I think Dart is at his best when he's pushing the ball down the field, and no wide receiver in this draft was better at making contested grabs.

Tate is so good and was largely overshadowed because of Jeremiah Smith. But he was incredible down the field this past season, constantly getting open and creating space.