Mel Kiper mock draft: Caleb Downs over Sonny Styles for NY Giants at No. 5

Caleb Downs | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Mel Kiper is out with his latest 2026 NFL mock draft, and he has gone two rounds this time. Let's see the results for the New York Giants.

It is important to note that Kiper says he is leaning on team needs, evaluations and what I'm hearing in conversations with execs, coaches and scouts around the NFL. This isn't what I would do; it's what I believe each teamwilldo once on the clock.

Round 1 (No. 5) - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The first four picks:

1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. New York Jets - David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech
3. Arizona Cardinals - Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio State
4. Tennessee Titans - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Kiper says:

If things fall this way, the Giants will have a tough call to make on three Ohio State prospects. I could seeCarnell Tateas the team's No. 2 receiver oppositeMalik Nabers. I could certainly seeSonny Stylesquarterbacking the defense from the middle linebacker spot. But I keep coming back to what Downs could do from the back end of this secondary. Next toJevon Holland, his incredible instincts would pop in this defense. Downs would be the first safety taken in the top five since Eric Berry went to the Chiefs in 2010, and he'd be worth it.

Valentine's View

When I am faced with the Downs vs. Sonny Styles choice in my weekly mock drafts, I keep choosing Styles. The majority of analysts and mock drafters do the same, and oddsmakers think Styles would be the choice.

I keep coming back, though, to John Harbaugh and his history with great safeties - Brian Dawkins with the Philadelphia Eagles, Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton with the Baltimore Ravens. Not to mention the fact that Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson was a safety as a player.

As much as I love the athletic upside of Styles, I do wonder if Harbaugh and Wilson would prefer to start molding their defense with a safety like Downs.

Round 2 (No. 37) - Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech

Kiper says:

The signing ofDaniel Faaleleshouldn't keep the Giants from adding to their interior offensive line. Rutledge started 43 games in college and gave up only two sacks. He could slide into a starter's role as a rookie.

Valentine's View

Defensive tackle Kayden McDonald of Ohio State went off the board at No. 36 to the Raiders. Given the latest Lawrence news, I wonder if McDonald would have been the pick if he was still available.

Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis was selected No. 38 by the Houston Texans. Most analysts seem to have Bisontis ranked ahead of Rutledge, so this choice by Kiper is interesting.