REPORT: Giants May Have Already Decided Their Draft Pick at No. 5

The New York Giants own the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL Draft, but there really is no clear answer as to who they should select.

The Giants have obvious holes at defensive tackle, cornerback, guard and wide receiver, but outside of Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate, there is really no one at any of those positions worth taking in the top five.

That's why we have heard New York linked to other surprising options, such as linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs, both of whom were Tate's teammates in Columbus.

But there is also another name — an even stranger one — that emerged as a potential candidate for the Giants around the time of the Scouting Combine: Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

Love is the top halfback in this year's draft class and had been labeled a truly special talent by many. Based on his production in South Bend, it's hard to argue with that.

New York really doesn't need a running back, though. Not with Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy aboard.

However, the chances of the Giants actually snatching Love at No. 5 are becoming more and more real, and ESPN's Matt Miller has reported that New York will "likely" select the playmaker if he isn't off the board by then.

This is odd on multiple levels.

First of all, running back isn't a premium position. Not in today's NFL. People can cite Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry all they want, but halfback is very far down the list of priorities on a roster.

Second, again, the Giants already have a pair of backs in Skattebo and Tracy, both of whom should form a dynamic duo in 2026. Unless New York is really worried about Skattebo's recovery from his gruesome ankle injury, there is no need to use such a high draft choice on a running back. Especially not when so many other needs exist.

Finally, didn't Big Blue already learn its lesson when it took Barkley No. 2 overall back in 2018? Barkley was also perceived as a generational talent at the time, and he was. But the Giants could have taken Josh Allen. They instead opted for a halfback.

I understand New York seems to have its franchise quarterback this time around, but the Giants still have plenty of other holes they need to patch.

It's why trading down, securing some extra draft capital and filling actual needs is the best route for New York to pursue next month.

And perhaps that's what the Giants are actually doing. Maybe these Love rumors are a smokescreen to get someone to trade up to No. 5. But if not, New York could be en route to making a potentially disastrous mistake.

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