The Giants are expected to look at adding another weapon for quarterback Jaxson Dart with the fifth pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. However, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes help for the Giants’ secondary could be waiting in the second round.
Jeremiah spoke with the media Thursday to talk about his latest mock draft and preview the 2026 NFL combine. When asked about secondary help that could be available in the second round, 37th overall, Jeremiah liked who could still be on the board. The first player he discussed was Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell.
“Avieon Terrell is a playmaker,” Jeremiah said. “I mentioned him as someone who plays inside, but I think he can play outside as well. He did both there in college, but he is real, real high on the nickel board. That’s kind of the range of where he goes.”
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound cornerback had three career interceptions during his time at Clemson. Last season, he finished with nine pass breakups, 48 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and five forced fumbles.
South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse is another player Jeremiah believes would fit the defense. Similar in size to Terrell at 6 feet, 190 pounds, he finished with one interception, five pass breakups, 27 tackles and a forced fumble last season.
“He’s super explosive and he might run in the 4.2s (40-yard dash),” Jeremiah said. “He’s got a lot of juice there.”
Other defensive backs Jeremiah mentioned included South Carolina cornerback Gerald Kilgore, who he said could be available if the Giants moved down a couple of spots in the second round. He also mentioned Arizona’s Treyvon Stukes as a possibility if the Giants acquired a pick in the third round.
The Giants’ secondary could use help. Last season, New York finished 16th in pass defense, allowing 214.2 yards per game and tied for 15th in allowing receptions of 20-plus yards (49).
Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott is heading toward free agency and is expected to command a decent-sized raise. The Giants could plug either cornerback into the starting lineup opposite Paulson Adebo and allow him to develop with on-field snaps.