Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, and a lot of New York Giants fans are left shocked. In a draft that the Giants could’ve walked out with both Ohio St blue-chip players, linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs, the G-Men instead opted for LB/Edge Arvell Reese.
Shocked that he was there at 5, Big Blue didn’t hesitate to add the stud versatile defender to a room that already includes Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, and then at 10 drafted offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa out of the University of Miami.
Fans questioned both picks, as Reese, a LB/edge, and Mauigoa, a right tackle, will slot inside to WILL LB and right guard, respectively. The Giants were thrilled with the picks and will look to capitalize on some really good talent left on the board after the first night. Let’s take a look at some Day 2 prospects Giants fans should get to know.
Day 2 targets who could immediately help the Giants
1. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
New York is in a good position to keep adding pieces on Day 2 of the draft. Armed with the 37th pick, if he falls, the Giants could add an elite pass-catching talent to the team. Wide receiver Denzel Boston is a 6-foot-4 stud receiver with elite ball skills.
Adding him as another receiving weapon with Malik Nabers, Calvin Austin, Darnell Mooney, Theo Johnson, and Isaiah Likely could be a great move for the Giants. Boston gives the Giants size in the WR room as well.
2. Kayden McDonald, DT, Georgia
The Giants need to fill the rest of this draft with defense. Up front, currently, the Giants’ interior defensive lineman room is thin. Outside of one-year player Darius Alexander, the Giants made no moves during free agency, and with the trading of nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, the Giants are desperate for some interior players.
Luckily for them, Kayden McDonald falls right into their laps at 37. The run stuffer showed why he was one of the best defensive tackles in the league last season. If the Giants can add veteran DT DJ Reader, like they plan to, the Giants can have a decent interior defensive unit.
3. Colton Hood, CB, Tenneessee
Could Colton Hood be the pick at 37, should he fall to the Giants? The cornerback group needs to add some elite talent, and with one of the best corners in the draft still on the board, the Giants could find themselves in the perfect spot to land him. Hood excels as an aggressive press-man corner, exactly what new Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson wants in his new system.
Adding Hood to a room with a desperate need for an upgrade would go a long way. The Giants’ only addition to the room was Greg Newsome on a one-year deal this offseason. While defensive tackle remains a glaring need for the Giants, don’t count out the potential addition of a long-term option for CB2.
4. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
McNeil-Warren is a big-bodied safety, standing at 6-foot-3, who will come downhill in a heartbeat and take a player’s head off. He is good in the run game and has good IQ in recognition in the pass. McNeil-Warren could play a S/LB hybrid spot and be yet another versatile defensive chess piece for new head coach John Harbaugh and new DC Dennard Wilson.