Giants Projected to Nab 'Best Defender' in NFL Draft

New York Giants expected to bolster defense with top safety prospect Caleb Downs in upcoming draft

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:25pm

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The New York Giants, coming off a 4-13 season, are being projected to select safety Caleb Downs, who is considered one of the top defensive prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Downs is praised for his versatility to play in the slot, box, or center field, as well as his ability to anticipate and disrupt plays near the line of scrimmage.

Why it matters

The Giants desperately need to improve their defense after a disappointing 2025 season, and landing a game-changing safety prospect like Caleb Downs could be a major boost. Downs' unique skill set and potential to be an impact player at a premium defensive position makes him an ideal target for the Giants to help turn their team around.

The details

According to draft projections, the Giants are likely to target defense early in the draft, with the arrival of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds on a three-year, $36 million deal seen as an indicator of their defensive focus. Caleb Downs is projected as potentially the "best defender" in the 2026 class, with the ability to excel in a variety of roles in the secondary.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • The Giants went 4-13 in the 2025 NFL season, making them a team in need of major roster upgrades.

The players

Caleb Downs

A highly touted safety prospect considered one of the top defensive players in the 2026 NFL Draft, praised for his versatility to play in the slot, box, or center field, as well as his ability to anticipate and disrupt plays near the line of scrimmage.

Tremaine Edmunds

A linebacker who recently signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Giants, seen as an indicator of the team's defensive focus heading into the draft.

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What they’re saying

“Is Downs the best defender in this draft? Arguably. Can he play exceptionally in the slot, box or center field − a skill set Kyle Hamilton provided new coach John Harbaugh in Baltimore? Yep. Yet Downs' ability to anticipate and read the field could really render him a professional game changer at a position that normally isn't drafted this highly.”

— Nate Davis and Ayrton Ostly, USA Today writers

What’s next

The Giants will have the opportunity to select Caleb Downs or other top defensive prospects when the 2026 NFL Draft takes place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

The takeaway

The Giants' selection of Caleb Downs or another elite defensive prospect in the upcoming draft could be a pivotal move in their efforts to rebuild and improve a unit that struggled mightily in 2025. Landing an impact player like Downs, who can excel in multiple roles in the secondary, would be a significant boost for the Giants as they look to return to contention in the NFC East.