By the letter of the law — is there such a thing when it comes to mock drafts? — a simulation is run and the way the picks tumble off the board should be adhered to, or else what good is a computer-generated model, right?
Well, we were going to make sure, this time around, we got where we wanted to go, regardless of how the simulation spit out the players at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft. If need be, we were intent on forcing the issue to select Jeremiyah Love at No. 5 overall because there’s been so much chatter about him and if the Giants would actually take a running back so high. In this scenario, it is more of an exercise than it is a prediction. We simply wanted to see how the remainder of the draft would proceed for the Giants with Love as their top pick.
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As it turned out, there was no need to manipulate anything. Love was on the board when we clicked on “Start Draft.’’
We went back to the Pro Football Network simulator to go through the seven rounds.
Previous picks: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State, Styles, Styles
In this simulation, the first four players off the board were QB Fernando Mendoza, Edge David Bailey, Edge Arvell Reese and WT Carnell Tate. That left the Giants with loads of intriguing options: Styles, S Caleb Downs, OT Francis Mauigoa, Edge Rueben Bain Jr. and CB Mansoor Delane. Love is not quite the stratospheric prospect that Saquon Barkley was in 2018, but he’s darn close, He had 40 touchdowns the past two years and had 49 plays of 10-plus yards in 2025. He is one of only four running backs weighing 212 pounds or more to run the 40-yard dash in 4.36 in the last 20 years at the combine. He did not lose a fumble in three years. John Harbaugh wants a run-oriented offensive attack and gets a game-breaker and Day 1 starter. Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy will be in the mix to get some carries and a share of the ball but Love is here to stay.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Getty Images Round 2, No. 37 overall: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson Previous picks: DT Caleb Banks, Florida, G Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M, DT Christen Miller, Georgia
Terrell matched a school record for defensive backs with five forced fumbles in 2025. He has acceptable size (5-foot-11, 186) and he is adept as press man coverage and has the athletic makeup to play inside or outside. He should make an immediate bid for a starting job, challenging veteran Paulson Adebo and newcomer Greg Newsome II. Avieon’s brother, cornerback A.J. Terrell, was a 2020 first-round pick of the Falcons.
(In Mock 2.0, Round 2, No. 42 overall, acquired in trade: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington)
Previous picks: WR Deion Burks, Oklahoma, WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State, Parker II
Primarily a right tackle for the Blue Devils, Parker projects as a center at the next level with the ability to flex to a guard spot. Now that’s versatility. Not a brute at 6-foot-5, 309 pounds but he is competitive and intelligent. Throw him into the mix for the starting right tackle spot. His cousin, Dereck Lively, played hoops at Duke and is currently with the Mavericks.
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Previous picks: CB Jadon Canady, Oregon, LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU, RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Does Fields actually drop this far? He did in this simulation. After four years at Virginia, Fields finished off his college career with the Fighting Irish (36-630, 5 TDs) as a big-play threat with great size (6-foot-4, 218) and bully-ball tendencies to beat defensive backs. Will not run by you but he will out-leap you. Has been compared with former Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr., now with the Steelers.
Previous picks: RB Adam Randall, Clemson, DT Nick Barrett, South Carolina, TE Sam Rousch, Stanford
Elliott led the Sun Devils in 2025 with 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 12 games. He has good size (6-foot-2, 231) and the character and work ethic to be a core special teams player. That is what you want this deep in the draft.
Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Round 6, No. 192 overall: Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M Previous picks: G Fernando Carmona, Arkansas, TE Josh Cuevas, Alabama, LB Red Murdock, Buffalo
Not much production as a pass-catcher (19-198, 3 TDs in 2025) but he has some potential as a target. His real value comes as a willing and able blocker at 6-foot-5, 245 who seeks contact and can clear the way as an in-line blocker or out in space.
Previous picks: LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU, CB T.J. Hall, Iowa, CB Thaddeus Dixon, North Carolina
Tied for the team lead as a senior in interceptions and passes defended. This is a big (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) box safety who should not be asked to run with fleet receivers. He wore a single-digit jersey three consecutive seasons, a designation given to the toughest Huskers players.
