The New York Giants‘ blockbuster Dexter Lawrence trade over the weekend doesn’t change the team’s plans at No. 5 overall, according to well-connected insider Jason La Canfora.
The Giants are reportedly slated to take Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with their first top-10 draft pick, as long as he is available.
The Giants, of course, traded Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 overall pick Saturday. But even though they now have two first-round selections, and they have been linked to Jeremiyah Love with No. 5, that is to throw rival teams off the scent of Styles.
Report: The Giants Intend to Take Sonny Styles at No. 5
The 2026 NFL Draft really starts at No. 2, since Fernando Mendoza is going first to the Las Vegas Raiders. The New York Jets have been linked to Arvell Reese of Ohio State, with neither the Tennessee Titans nor the Arizona Cardinals being linked to Styles.
An unidentified NFL executive explained why Styles fits the Giants, and especially new coach John Harbaugh who has deployed players like Styles before.
“Styles is the Kyle Hamilton for them,” the longtime personnel exec told La Canfora about Styles, comparing him to the Baltimore Ravens jack-of-all-trades safety, for Sports Boom. “This trade doesn’t change that.”
The Giants may be inclined to draft Lawrence’s replacement, potentially Rueben Bain Jr., of Miami, with the No. 10 pick. But if they reached for Bain at No. 5, they would absolutely lose out on Styles, according to a general manager that La Canfora cited.
“Styles won’t be there at 10,” the GM said. “The top five defensive players will be gone, maybe the top six or seven.”
The Giants May Take a Wide Receiver at No. 10
The Giants have a No. 1 wide receiver in Malik Nabers and have their franchise quarterback, Jaxson Dart. But beyond that, there are ample holes on both sides of the ball, particularly with the Giants trading Lawrence.
But after selecting Styles at No. 5, the Giants may be inclined to land their No. 2 receiver.
“Much is being made about Giants general Joe Schoen, who I continue to hear is in very real danger of losing his job after the draft, spending time with Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson over the week,” La Canfora reported. “The Giants could grab him with the 10th pick, but one general manager SportsBoom spoke with who is very much evaluating receivers was less than convinced New York would take Tyson at 5.”
Tyson has been mocked as the No. 3 receiver going in this draft, behind Caleb Love and Makai Lemon, the latter of whom is likely a lock for the Los Angeles Rams. ESPN reported the Jets’ interest in Tyson at the No. 16 pick.
Still, La Canfora floated the Giants potentially targeting an O-lineman to protect Dart, over a No. 2 wideout.
“More than anything else the Giants need to keep Dart, already dealing with a concussion history, as healthy as possible,” La Canfora reported. “The offensive line was not upgraded substantially enough in the offseason and there are needs at multiple positions up front.
“SportsBoom hear Harbaugh loves Penn State guars Vega Ioane, a player his former team, Baltimore, is incredibly high on as well, and a tackle like Kadyn Proctor (Alabama) or Spencer Fano (Utah) will also have strong appeal to New York.”
Insider Links Giants to Ohio State Defensive Player at No. 5 Pick