The New York Giants got off to a strong start to the 2026 NFL draft, bolstering their defense with Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 5 overall, and adding offensive line depth by selecting Miami tackle Francisco Mauigoa at No. 10.
With quarterback Jaxson Dart already in the fold from last year's trade-up, the focus now shifts to Day 2.
The Giants hold just one selection — the 37th overall pick in the second round — after trading away their third-rounder in 2025. Big Blue is likely to target interior defensive line, cornerback, safety, or wide receiver to address remaining roster holes and build around their new young core.
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Here is a look at 10 prospects the Giants could potentially target on Day 2.
Arguably the best player still available, Jermod McCoy missed the 2025 season due to a torn ACL. However, before that, he dominated for the Volunteers, recording 13 passes defensed and four interceptions in 2024.
A one-year starter at Tennessee (and one-and-a-half-year starter overall), McCoy was the left cornerback (primarily outside) in former defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ man-heavy scheme. Known more as an offensive player in high school, he announced himself as an up-and-coming cornerback at Oregon State in 2023 — his first career interception came against then-Cal QB Fernando Mendoza. He transferred to Tennessee as a sophomore and had an All-America season, with 13 passes defended and four interceptions, before an ACL injury wiped out his junior year.
The bad news is McCoy doesn’t have any 2025 tape. The good news is McCoy’s 2024 tape is really, really good. He is patient, agile and balanced in press-man coverage and has the reactive athleticism to gear up or down quickly. Though he has the requisite speed for the NFL, his panic moments downfield can draw him out of phase or lead to flags. He shows terrific awareness in zone to feel and bait routes around him, while also driving on the action in front of him.
If the Giants are concerned about the medicals or just unwilling to risk a high second-round pick on McCoy, they could opt to snag his teammate, Colton Hood.
A one-year starter at Tennessee, Hood was an outside cornerback in former defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ man-heavy scheme. After one season at Auburn and another at Colorado, he transferred to Knoxville for the 2025 season and quickly earned the respect of SEC receivers (Georgia receivers Dillon Bell and Colbie Young both said Hood was the best corner they faced in college).
Despite not becoming a defensive player until his junior year of high school, Hood plays comfortably in man-to-man on an island. He competes with the physicality of a bigger and longer player, and he looks to reroute receivers from the jump. He needs to shore up some of his technique and become more consistent in finding the football, but he isn’t a passive or athletically deficient player. He’s also shown promise with his hunting eyes from off coverage and reliable tackling skills.
A second alternate option at cornerback is Avieon Terrell, who some have ranked ahead of the aforementioned Hood.
A two-and-a-half-year starter at Clemson, Terrell was an outside cornerback who slid inside in subpackage looks in defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s scheme. With an All-Pro NFL cornerback for an older brother, Terrell had sky-high expectations at Clemson — and frequently met them. He started 31 straight games to finish his career and led the Tigers in passes defended as both a sophomore and junior.
Terrell is a fluid, easy mover, with light footwork in his pedal and read-and-drive reactions. He crowds receivers up and down the field and displays instinctive qualities to find and play the football. You would like to see more interceptions from him, but he made plenty of impact plays the past two seasons (21 passes defended, eight forced fumbles) and competes with a “Honey Badger” aura. His physicality jumps off the tape versus both pass and run, although he will struggle playing through bigger bodies to affect the catch point.
How about one more cornerback? Noticing a theme here? If the Giants aren't sold on any of the other cornerbacks listed, the final prospect available with a grade that matches Big Blue's selection value would be Brandon Cisse. After that, any pick would be considered a reach at No. 37.
A one-year starter at South Carolina (and two-year starter overall), Cisse was primarily an outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Clayton White’s scheme. He played two seasons at NC State before moving to the Gamecocks as a junior. He posted mediocre production (five passes defended, one interception), and he was part of a rotation on several 2025 tapes, averaging just 41 defensive snaps per game.
An explosive athlete, Cisse plays with excess burst and speed to fly to the football. He tends to declare his hips early and relies too heavily on his athleticism rather than his technique or anticipation, leading to coverage losses. When he finds the football, he is capable of impressive athletic feats to knock it away, but he needs to be more consistent with his body phasing to shrink catch windows. Despite needing to clean things up in the run game, his downhill toughness is great to see.
The Giants passed on Caleb Downs -- twice -- in Round 1, much to the surprise of many. Should they opt to target a safety with the 37th overall pick, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is the best available.
A three-year starter at Toledo, McNeil-Warren lined up as a boundary safety in former defensive coordinator Vince Kehres’ scheme (rotated to nickel and deep half during tempo). With five draft picks on defense over the past four years, former Toledo head coach (and current UConn head coach) Jason Candle developed a reputation for finding and developing talent with the Rockets — and McNeil-Warren is next up in the pipeline. He turned down transfer opportunities, and his trust in the Toledo staff paid off in his development over the past four years.
Thanks to his footwork and hips, McNeil-Warren is a fluid mover with functional range and improved instincts versus the pass, which allows him to mirror and match tight ends and running backs. He drives on the football in run support and took a master’s class on the “Peanut Punch.” You’d wish there was more meat on his bones and will want to see him continue to improve his take-on and tackle-finishing skills.