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Giants Gain Jaxson Dart Protection In 2026 Nfl Mock Draft

Bonisiwe Shabane
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giants gain jaxson dart protection in 2026 nfl mock draft

There's a misconception floating around about the 2026 NFL Draft. Before this college season kicked off, Texas' Arch Manning, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier were widely viewed as the top eligible quarterback prospects. Those three haven't quite met the early expectations, which has some people jumping to the conclusion that this is a "weak" QB class. In reality, the rise of Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (my QB1 back in May), Alabama's Ty Simpson and Oregon's Dante Moore has reshaped the board. All three still have remaining eligibility and could theoretically return to school in 2026, but in today's thought exercise, they come off the board quickly -- just not at No. 1 overall.

Four teams enter the first round with multiple picks, while just as many have none. The Browns and Rams dealt away theirs in separate draft-day moves a year ago, and the Jets and Cowboys moved on from Quinnen Williams and Micah Parsons, respectively. To set the stage, here are the current odds to be the No. 1 overall pick (via FanDuel Sportsbook). Reminder: This is the current NFL draft order after Week 10 (via Tankathon). The New York Giants have had a season filled with bright spots, despite being just 2-7 through week 10 of the NFL schedule.

They've seen the rise of quarterback and 2025 first-round pick Jaxson Dart, who plays with a maturity that belies his age and experience. They've also found a running force in Cameron Skattebo, a rookie who was their fourth-round selection. As they continue the rebuilding process in the Big Apple, the Giants could very well be looking to anchor their protection up front, lending a hand to their young and talented backfield. TSN's 2026 Mock Draft suggests they will take Spencer Fano of Utah i the first round. The 6'6", 300-pound junior was named all-Big 12 in 2024, after previously being a freshman All-American. While he has the size and the accolades to excel, most experts agree that he has to sharpen his skills to become an elite lineman in the National Football League.

MORE: NFL Mock Draft 2026: Jets find next QB-WR duo, Saints land Fernando Mendoza in latest projections "If Fano can develop a more defined, accurate strike and learn to play with more assertiveness at the point of attack, he’ll become a more complete player," The Draft Network noted in a scouting... "And even if that development takes time, a move to the interior might be the ideal way to maximize what he already does at a high level." The New York Giants have a new lease on life with a first-round quarterback, Jaxson Dart, and one of the best defensive prospects in eons, Abdul Carter, on the roster. With head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, who was recently ranked as one of the League’s “most concerning general managers” by CBS Sports analyst, Cody Benjamin, potentially facing the axe, the... With the move to sign Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency, and adding Dart and Carter, the Giants have a team that is immediately competitive.

But, as Dart looks to take over the starting job, he will need some support, and one analyst believes the 2026 NFL Draft will be a key date for the Giants. Meanwhile, it feels like a safe bet that the veteran duo of Wilson and Winston will handle the quarterbacking responsibilities for New York. While Dart develops under their tutelage, it might not be until late in the year or perhaps next season before he takes over as the starter. Week 9 of the NFL Season is almost in the books, as only the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys are left waiting to play on Monday Night Football. This weekend was far more competitive than what we saw last weekend, as the true Playoff contenders are starting to separate themselves from the pack. With the trade deadline looming early this week, the teams that are tanking and preparing for next season will show their hand.

Several teams and fanbases are already in a massive race for a top pick, as injuries or poor roster building have sunk the playoff hopes for a few teams. Fanbases are already preparing for next season, and after the Trade Deadline, it'll become clear which teams are on to the 2026 season. 1. New Orleans Saints: Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback, Indiana The New Orleans Saints turned the offense over to rookie QB Tyler Shough on Sunday, but the team once again struggled on offense. Shough showed some things to be excited about, but if the Saints finish the year with the 1st Overall Pick, more likely than not, they'll try to find the future of the franchise at...

Fernando Mendoza has been one of the biggest breakout stars this season, and he'd help stabilize the team. 2. Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese, Linebacker, Ohio State The New York Giants stood pat at the NFL trade deadline, unable to add a playmaking wide receiver, and holding onto edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and struggling offensive lineman Evan Neal. However, there are still some glaring holes on New York’s roster and missing pieces still to be added around Jaxson Dart, as Joe Schoen, or whoever the Giants‘ general manager is this offseason aims... After the NFL trade deadline came and went without the Giants adding to Dart’s supporting cast, Pro Football Focus published its latest 2026 NFL mock draft, with New York selecting Arizona State wide receiver...

5 overall pick. “Tyson is carrying an 83.0 PFF receiving grade for the second season in a row,” Trevor Sikkema writes for PFF. “His tape oozes WR1 potential. He can run any route, give you yards after the catch and even provide spectacular toe-tapping, diving and one-handed grabs. He and Malik Nabers would be a top-tier combo.” At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Tyson is a big-bodied receiver who has caught 57 passes for 628 yards and eight touchdowns this season, while averaging 11 yards per reception but is a year removed...

The rising importance of the 2026 NFL Draft for several teams came into focus after last week's trade deadline. With the New York Jets having dealt cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, there are now four NFL teams that have multiple first-round picks in April. And with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants having already fired their head coaches, several fan bases are probably ready to close the book on this season and enter offseason mode. But with the first-round order still shifting significantly week to week, there's still ample time for team's draft fortunes to rise or fall. With that said, here's USA TODAY Sports' latest first-round projection and 2026 NFL mock draft: There's a strong possibility for Tennessee to possess the No.

1 pick in consecutive years after the Saints' and Browns' victories left the Titans as the only one-win team remaining. And that creates a bit of a mystery atop the order. An organization that's yet again rebooting would clearly stand to benefit from trading back and stockpiling more early selections to support Cam Ward. Yet this quarterback class doesn't seem particularly conducive to drumming up a bidding war for this choice. If Tennessee does end up in the slot and stands pat, it could supercharge its defense with Reese. Though he operates as a linebacker for the Buckeyes, the 6-foot-4, 243-pounder has Micah Parsons-like movement abilities that could be best put to use in a full-time edge rushing role.

The Titans could pair him with Jeffery Simmons to create one of the league's most formidable inside-outside tandems and then use the rest of the draft – and free agency – to focus on... A franchise with a decades-long habit of being trigger-shy when it comes to selecting quarterbacks might be hard-pressed to go this route, especially if Tyler Shough continues to exhibit the promise he displayed in... But unless the second-round rookie firmly establishes himself as New Orleans' answer at the position in the back half of the season, Mendoza might be massively alluring. The Heisman Trophy front-runner now also figures to be the favorite to be the first quarterback taken, with his game-winning drive against Penn State highlighting resiliency and a knack for operating out of structure... The 6-5, 225-pounder is the kind of precise thrower who could allow Kellen Moore to launch a new era for the organization in earnest. Now that we know Jaxson Dart is the guy for the New York Giants, it's vital that the team does everything necessary to put him in a position to succeed.

One thing the Giants should consider doing to help is adding another wide receiver to pair with Malik Nabers. After all, Wan'Dale Robinson will be a free agent in 2026, and Big Blue needs a better No. 2 option than Darius Slayton. Knowing that, USA TODAY's Ayrton Ostly predicts the Giants will take Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 draft. "New York's priorities under a new coaching staff should be protecting Jaxson Dart and adding more weapons to his arsenal.

At this point in the draft, Tyson is a better option than the offensive linemen on the board. New York's getting an impressive route-runner who can stress defenses focusing on Malik Nabers," Ostly wrote. With so many holes to fill, it might be tough for New York to take a wide receiver in this spot, especially when they've already got a highly-drafted No. 1 in Nabers, but Tyson would be a worth a swing in this spot if there are no better options.

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