The New York Giants hired John Harbaugh as head coach this offseason after he was fired from the Baltimore Ravens. He served as Baltimore’s coach for the last 18 season. Harbaugh will be tasked to a lead new NFL team this season. The Giants will have the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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New Giants Head Coach John Harbaugh speaks with members of the media during a press conference welcoming Harbaugh at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2025.
One potential player that the Giants might potentially draft is Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs. Harbaugh loves having game-changing safeties on his defense. He had Ed Reed when he first coached the Ravens and he also has had Kyle Hamilton for the last few seasons as well. There is a chance that Downs could potentially be off the board by the time New York drafts fifth overall.
New York Giants HC John Harbaugh Hints At Potentially Drafting Caleb Downs In the NFL Draft
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Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) is tackled by Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) in the third quarter during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Harbaugh spoke about the potential plans for the Giants with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. There is no doubt a lot of people believe that Harbaugh likes Downs. If he is available with the fifth pick, Harbaugh said, “Taking Caleb Downs fifth overall would be just fine with me.” He is going to have a lot of say with the personnel in the 2026 NFL Draft.
General manager Joe Schoen will not have as much say as he had in years past. Schoen will be entering his fifth year as the general manager of the team, and he is also on the final year of his contract.
If they were to select Downs, he is 6’0″ and weighs 205 lbs. He also recorded 68 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and one pass deflection. Downs is no doubt projected to go anywhere between two and 10 in this year’s NFL Draft. If New York doesn’t go with Downs, they will probably go with an offensive lineman or a wide receiver also.
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