The New York Giants followed up an explosive first night of the 2026 NFL draft with an equally explosive second night, snagging Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood in the second round before trading up into the third round for Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields.
While the additions have been impressive, the Round 3 trade and multiple previous trades (dating back to last year) have left the Giants somewhat depleted. They enter the final day of the draft with a trio of sixth-round picks and nothing more.
Still, there is value to be had when the Giants find themselves on the clock. They will make three picks over an eight-selection span, giving them a chance to land a surprise gem.
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Here is a look at 10 prospects the Giants could potentially target on Day 3.
The Giants have yet to address the interior of their defensive line, and precious few picks remain. By the time they come up in Round 6, the pickings will be slim, but it's possible Cameron Ball remains as the best available.
A two-and-a-half-year starter at Arkansas, Ball lined up primarily over the A-gap in former defensive coordinator Travis Williams’ 4-2-5 base scheme. Recruited out of high school mostly as an offensive lineman, the Razorbacks gave him a chance to play defense, and he developed into a solid role player. His senior year was better on tape than in the stat sheet, as he finished with only 27 tackles and zero sacks while averaging 53 defensive snaps per game.
Ball has above-average size and length with functional athleticism. As a run defender, he is balanced at the point with steady hat/hand use. He generates most of his power from his hips and upper half, although he needs to get stronger in his lower half to combat double teams. Though he flashes pass-rush ability, he tends to rush aimlessly and high and can get pushed/pulled off his path.
Again, the pickings might be slim at this point. While a bit on the older side (24), Bryson Eason is another large man in the middle who could fit into a rotation designed to replace Dexter Lawrence.
A two-and-a-half-year starter at Tennessee, Eason shuffled between 2i-, three- and 4i-technique in defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ four-down front. He made the transition from inside linebacker to defensive line in 2022 and was a solid rotational player for the Vols defense, despite lackluster production (his defensive snap count jumped from 27.8 per game in 2024 to 39.3 in 2025).
Eason moved into the trenches without sacrificing his athletic twitch. He is at his best in the run game when he utilizes his length to establish an anchor and strain through engagement. However, he tends to be too reactive, which can put him in trail mode. He has pass-rush potential with his get-off and heavy hands, but he relies more on effort than a tactical rush plan.
Similar to defensive tackle, the Giants have yet to address the safety position. Michael Taaffee is a bit undersized for the position, but his value would come on special teams -- the wheelhouse for late-round picks and a John Harbaugh preference.
A three-year starter at Texas, Taaffe was a versatile safety in former defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s 4-2-5 base scheme. A former walk-on, he made himself into an indispensable part of the Longhorns’ secondary, both on and off the field. He was a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy (nation’s top walk-on) and earned All-SEC honors as a senior.
Taaffe is an easy player to appreciate because of his feel for the game and toughness — even if his size, strength and athletic traits fall below what most teams desire at the position. He is at his best working from the post, as opposed to near the line of scrimmage (where his lack of size is more noticeable). His anticipation helps him make plays, although a misstep can be a death sentence.
Perhaps the Giants want to add a little speed in centerfield. Robert Spears-Jennings ran the fastest 40-yard dash for safeties at the 2026 NFL Combine.
A two-year starter at Oklahoma, Spears-Jennings lined up as the free safety in head coach Brent Venables’ scheme. After originally committing to Lincoln Riley, he stayed with the Sooners once he found out Venables would be bringing his defense to Norman. He started to see meaningful defensive snaps as a freshman and grew into a valuable starter.
Spears-Jennings might not play quite as fast as his stopwatch speed (fastest 40-yard dash among safeties at the NFL combine), but he gets from A to B in a hurry and throws his body into contact. Though he’s fearless attacking the line of scrimmage, he needs to be consistent reading his keys and keeping his leverage. He has experience patrolling deep from Cover 2, but he struggles making plays on the ball — his game translates best working top down or near the box.
The Giants currently have an abundance of guards and already intend to play Francis Mauigoa at right guard. Still, perhaps they'd prefer a youth movement over Joshua Ezeudu and Evan Neal, the latter of whom has $0 guaranteed in his contract. Auburn's Jeremiah Wright could be that guy.
A two-year starter at Auburn, Wright was a fixture at right guard in former head coach Hugh Freeze’s balanced (gap and zone) scheme. A sixth-year prospect, he bounced between the offensive and defensive lines his first few seasons on The Plains before becoming a full-time starter over his junior and senior seasons.
Wright is big, strong and wants to move people off the ball on combos and base blocks. He looks to overpower anything in his way, which is understandable for a former defensive lineman, but he’s still learning to introduce more skill into his play. He works hard to stay square in pass pro but has shaky moments responding to savvy rushers.