Right before we were all set to submit our final mock drafts for the 2026 draft season, the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals decided they wanted to throw us a curveball and make a move that will have major ramifications for Thursday night’s festivities.
The Giants now have two top-10 picks after acquiring the 10th overall selection from the Bengals for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. While the trade was just agreed to on Saturday night, we’ve already learned how New York is potentially plotting to use its two top-10 picks — and it could lead to a surprise in the top five.
Of course, the Giants-Bengals trade isn’t the only bit of draft news ahead of the first round on Thursday night. So, we surveyed our sources around the league on the latest about Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and his draft status.
Here’s what we’ve learned about the Giants’ draft plans, why the Bengals made the trade and what to expect for Simpson in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Giant change in draft order could lead to another offensive pick in top five
Ralph Vacchiano: A few days ago, it felt to many like a lock that the Giants were going to take a defensive player with the fifth overall pick of the NFL Draft. But now they have two picks in the top 10 for the second time in five years, after acquiring the 10th overall pick from the Bengals for Dexter Lawrence.
They’ll almost certainly use one of them on a defensive player, but it’s not so clear what they’ll do with the fifth.
“It has to change their thinking,” one NFL executive told me. “There are a few elite offensive players that didn’t look like a great fit for them, given how bad their defense has been and what we think Harbaugh wants to focus on. Now they can grab one at 5, and it’s possible they’ll still get the defensive player they wanted all along at 10.”
It’s all speculation at the moment, but many NFL sources believe the Giants were focused on either Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at 10 — impact players, who could emerge as leaders on the Giants’ defense. Opinions were split on which player Harbaugh preferred. And many seem to believe that one, and maybe both, could still be there at 10.
And that would open up some intriguing possibilities at No. 5. Much of the immediate speculation was on Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, whom an NFL scout told me last week “might be the best receiver in this draft when it’s all said and done.” He was considered to be one of the most “underrated” players in this year’s class, though he’s been rising in media mocks and is now likely considered a top-10 pick.
The 6-foot-3, 203-pounder, who impressed scouts in his limited pro day workout on Friday, would give the Giants a dangerous 1-2 punch at receiver playing next to a healthy Malik Nabers. He’d also be insurance in case Nabers, who is recovering from a torn ACL, needs some time to regain his old form.
“If [Tyson] is nearly as good as I feel he’s, the Giants could be set on offense for the following few years,” the chief stated. “[Quarterback] Jaxson Dart would have every thing he wants.”
Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson is likely to be heading to New York after Saturday’s commerce. (Picture by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs)
Two different intriguing offensive prospects for the Giants at No. 5 are Notre Dame working again Jeremyiah Love, Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate and Miami (Fla.) offensive deal with Francis Mauigoa (or whomever they charge as the highest deal with within the draft).
“The fifth decide offers them the choice of most likely one of many two greatest offensive playmakers within the draft or the highest offensive lineman, they usually want each,” the scout informed me. “After which if they will land both Types or Downs at 10, that’s a house run.”
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Why the tenth decide wasn’t value rather a lot to the Bengals
Vacchiano: The shock and shock that the Bengals, of all groups, would hand over the tenth total decide in a commerce was usually met with a contact of understanding. The best way issues look like arrange on draft day, few appeared to suppose the draft was going to interrupt the Bengals’ manner.
There is no such thing as a defensive deal with worthy of something near a top-10 decide. The perfect edge rusher will very doubtless be gone, together with the highest nook and doubtless the highest linebacker, too. Nothing was locked in, in fact, however they have been going through a board the place they may not discover speedy assistance on protection, the place they wanted it probably the most.
“I feel they knew they have been in a very unhealthy spot the way in which issues have been breaking,” an NFL assistant basic supervisor informed me. “They may get a very good participant at 10, however most likely not at a place they want. And so they’re not two to 3 years down the highway. They clearly suppose they will make a run now.”
The Bengals definitely have the offense to do this so long as quarterback Joe Burrow is wholesome. However their offseason focus has been on rebuilding the statistically worst protection within the league. They introduced in some assist in free company, like edge rusher Boye Mafe, defensive deal with Jonathan Allen and safeties Bryan Prepare dinner and Kyle Dugger. However they have been nonetheless on the lookout for a real game-wrecker after dropping Trey Hendrickson.
Lawrence has a greater likelihood of being that than anybody they thought they may get at No. 10.
“They have been going to should commerce down,” an NFC scout informed me. “That’s the one factor that might’ve made sense, except they simply wished so as to add one other piece to their offense. That wasn’t going to assist them. They’re determined to repair their protection. That’s why the tenth decide could also be a very excessive worth to pay, however it additionally made a number of sense.”
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Is Ty Simpson a first-round decide? Opinions nonetheless combined on the place Alabama QB lands
Eric D. Williams: With lower than per week left and Ty Simpson’s draft inventory seemingly rising, league sources I spoke with are nonetheless not offered that the Alabama quarterback might be a first-round decide.
One NFL entrance workplace government informed me he doesn’t imagine Simpson is a first-round expertise. He recognized the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers as potential matches.
Nonetheless, one other league supply conversant in the place believes a crew may transfer as much as safe Simpson’s companies within the first spherical.
“I may see somebody buying and selling as much as 32 with the Seahawks to allow them to get a fifth-year choice as a first-rounder,” the league supply informed me. “That fifth-year choice could be good. The Ravens traded as much as get Lamar [Jackson] for that motive. Nice transfer.
“Ozzie Newsome had the braveness to do it on the way in which out.”
Ty Simpson in Joel Klatt’s prime 50 gamers
The league supply went on to say he likes that Simpson performed in a pro-style offense underneath the path of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb at Alabama. Nonetheless, the league supply nonetheless has issues with Simpson’s measurement (6-1, 212 kilos) and the truth that he solely began in 15 video games in faculty.
“He’s easy,” the league supply informed me. “He sees the sphere properly. He anticipates properly. It’s simple to mission him within the NFL due to the kind of offense he ran in faculty. I’d be nervous about enjoying him early although, since he hasn’t performed in a number of video games. That’s trigger for concern as a first-rounder for me.”
The league supply talked about the Cardinals, Steelers, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys as potential touchdown spots.
An NFL agent I spoke with, in the meantime, believes Simpson might be a second or third-round decide.
“The one crew I may see taking him within the first spherical [and it would be a very bad move] is Arizona,” the NFL agent informed me. “The Cardinals have a foul roster. They need to add extra picks, not hand over picks to maneuver as much as get somebody they don’t want to maneuver up for.”
The agent in contrast Simpson to Matt Corral, Sam Howell and Desmond Ridder popping out of school, all quarterback prospects who ascended throughout the draft course of however have to this point didn’t make it occur within the NFL.
“The chatter is all media, not groups,” the NFL agent stated about Simpson’s late stand up the draft board. “It wasn’t stunning when Will Levis didn’t go within the first spherical, or Malik Willis being drafted within the third spherical. They have been higher prospects than Simpson. He’s extra just like Corral and Sam Howell.”
