Giants Mull Drafting Top Safety at 5th Overall

Respected GM says teams may 'throw positional value out' in 2026 NFL Draft

Apr. 15, 2026 at 3:27pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting an abstract football scene, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange hues overlapping to create a sense of motion and energy.A cubist interpretation of the Giants' unconventional approach to the 2026 NFL Draft, where traditional positional value may take a backseat to selecting the best overall talent.NYC Today

The New York Giants are considering taking Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the 5th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to NFL insider Peter Schrager. This would be a surprising move, as safeties are typically not selected that high, but a respected NFL general manager told Schrager that teams may 'throw positional value out the window' in this year's draft class.

Why it matters

The Giants have a new head coach in John Harbaugh, who has historically valued the safety position highly. If the team feels Downs can have the same type of impact as a player like Kyle Hamilton, they may be willing to overlook traditional positional value. This could lead to an unconventional top 5 in the 2026 NFL Draft, with a safety and potentially even a running back being selected among the first few picks.

The details

The 2026 NFL Draft class is considered relatively weak at the top in terms of blue-chip prospects at quarterback, wide receiver, offensive tackle, cornerback, and edge rusher. This could prompt teams like the Giants to look past traditional positional value and target the best overall players available, even if they play positions that are not typically drafted that high. Caleb Downs is viewed as one of the safest and most talented prospects in the class, and the Giants' new head coach John Harbaugh has a history of valuing the safety position highly.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in late April 2026.

The players

John Harbaugh

The new head coach of the New York Giants, who has historically valued the safety position highly on his teams.

Caleb Downs

An Ohio State safety who is considered one of the top overall prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class.

Kyle Hamilton

A safety who had a significant impact for the Baltimore Ravens under head coach John Harbaugh.

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What they’re saying

“Throw positional value out this year.”

— Respected NFL GM

What’s next

The Giants will continue to evaluate their options leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, and it remains to be seen if they will ultimately select a safety with the 5th overall pick.

The takeaway

The 2026 NFL Draft could feature some unconventional picks at the top, with teams potentially overlooking traditional positional value in favor of selecting the best overall players available. This could open the door for a safety or even a running back to be selected among the first few picks, which would be highly unusual in the modern NFL.