Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
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Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Looking ahead at the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Giants are in a unique position to select any number of prospects that fall their way.
Depending on how the first four picks shake out, they could be in line to select an edge rusher, wide receiver, offensive tackle, or safety.
Among the biggest needs, New York could certainly use another weapon for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart to throw to, depending on how Wan’Dale Robinson’s free agency goes.
A blue-chip offensive line prospect would be nice, too. The Giants haven’t hit on one since Andrew Thomas in 2020, and right tackle Jermaine Eluemenor and guard Greg Van Roten are impending free agents.
One direction they wouldn’t go is running back… unless New York’s brass happens to fall head over heels for one specific prospect.
Giants High on Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
A recent report from Walter Football’s Charlie Campbell indicated that the New York Giants are interested in Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
The Heisman Trophy finalist is certainly one of the most talented players in the upcoming draft class, but would the Giants really take a running back at No. 5 with how their team is currently constructed?
“In speaking with sources, the prospects the Giants currently like the most for the fifth-overall pick are Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. That trio is among the top talents in the 2026 NFL Draft regardless of position,” wrote Campbell.
Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs make sense. Reese could end up playing both on-ball and off-ball linebacker in the pros, a la Micah Parsons in his first few seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
Downs projects to be a game-wrecking safety, which would certainly be an asset for the Giants’ defense.
But Love? New York already has two good-to-great youngsters in the backfield in Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy. Would they really look to triple down on running back?
Who knows. It all depends on how the draft board turns out in April; they won’t know who is available to them until they’re on the clock.
But the whole situation would feel very reminiscent of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Saquon Barkley Deja Vu
If the New York Giants were to use the No. 5 overall pick in the draft on Love, it might rehash some emotions that date back nearly eight years ago.
With a questionable roster at best heading into the 2018 draft, Giants general manager Dave Gettleman opted to select Penn State running back Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick.
Barkley wasn’t necessarily a bad pick. He was widely regarded as a generational prospect and is still in the midst of his illustrious career.
But the Giants were in desperate need of help in other areas of the roster. They passed on multiple quarterbacks, a lockdown cornerback in Denzel Ward, and an All-Pro caliber guard in Quenton Nelson.
Who knows how the 2026 draft class will pan out, but if the Giants end up taking Love at No. 5 and their offensive line falls apart midseason, there won’t be anyone to pass protect or open lanes for their rookie running back.
If Malik Nabers’ knee recovery bleeds into the regular season and Wan’Dale Robinson departs in free agency, who will Dart be throwing to?
A hypothetical Love pick would provide too much uncertainty around the roster and may end up biting the Giants later down the road.