The New York Giants have reportedly zeroed in on their top choice for the fifth overall pick of the NFL Draft.
The New York Giants will be selecting fifth overall in the NFL Draft next Thursday, and as of right now, they are one of the most difficult teams to pin down.
The Giants have some very clear needs up and down their roster. Cornerback, defensive tackle, right guard and wide receiver all represent significant holes, so you would think New York would be focusing on addressing those areas.
But apparently, the Giants have something else in mind for No. 5.
ESPN's Jordan Raanan has reported that New York seems to be fixated on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with its top draft choice.
"Staying at No. 5, the three players who seem to be most squarely on their radar are Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and [safety Caleb] Downs," Raanan wrote. "Coach John Harbaugh and the Giants are especially high on Love. If he's available, it's hard to see them passing up that opportunity."
Love is the consensus best halfback in this year's class and is coming off of a 2025 campaign in which he rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on 6.9 yards per carry while also catching 27 passes for 280 yards and three scores.
Jeremiyah Love. Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images.There is no question Love is a terrific player and could end up being the most explosive weapon of the draft. The problem? He plays a non-premium position, and the Giants don't really have a major need in their backfield.
The duo of Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy should be good enough, although it should be noted that Skattebo is recovering from a gruesome ankle injury he suffered midway through 2025, so perhaps New York is worried about that.
Yes, Love is a far more dynamic talent than both of those running backs, but would he really make the Giants that much better?
Raanan did note that Big Blue is planning on targeting defensive tackle, cornerback or guard on Day 2, but the issue there is that New York currently has just one Day 2 selection at No. 37.
This is why the ideal scenario for the Giants would be to trade down (which Raanan did mention), acquire more draft capital and fill out those roster holes with the picks they reap in the deal.
I've said it countless times: none of Love, Styles or Downs should be the pick at No. 5. The G-Men have far greater needs.
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