Giants Draft Latest: Styles, Downs, Love, Ioane, Fano, Tyson, Trade
For the second time in four years, the Giants hold two top-10 picks in a draft. Joe Schoen‘s first draft did not maximize the value at Nos. 5 and 7, where Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal arrived. If the GM is to save his job, he will need to serve as a meaningful contributor while a John Harbaugh-fronted regime navigates the Nos. 5 and 10 overall selections.
The Giants obtained No. 10 from the Bengals for Dexter Lawrence. While that haul surprised some Giants decisionmakers, the team bungling the Neal pick reminds how having such meaningful draft real estate can backfire. Several possibilities certainly exist for Big Blue near the top of this draft.
A path where the Giants grab Sonny Styles at No. 5 and emerge from No. 10 with another offensive line starter should be considered in play, according to SportsBoom.com’s Jason La Canfora. A GM informed La Canfora that Styles will not be available by No. 10, so if Harbaugh wants a Roquan Smith-type linebacking anchor, the Giants would need to pull the trigger at 5.
Likely set to be the highest ILB drafted since the Buccaneers chose Devin White fifth overall in 2019, Styles has been connected to the Titans at No. 4. With the Jets down to Arvell Reese and David Bailey and the Cardinals not tied to Styles much, it would seemingly be down to Tennessee passing to greenlight a Giants pick.
The Giants have two locked-in tackle starters, in Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor, but their guard posts do not feature a long-term piece. Although Jon Runyan Jr. came up as a cut candidate months ago, he remains on the roster. The former Packer is entering the final season of a three-year, $30MM contract and may not be a roster lock, and the team signed ex-Raven (one of many brought in under Harbaugh) Daniel Faalele to go with Lucas Patrick. Those players could be swing options, however, and La Canfora hears Harbaugh “loves” Penn State guard Vega Ioane.
Ioane has been linked to Baltimore at No. 14, where Ely Allen’s PFR mock draft sent him. Prior to the Lawrence trade, Ely mocked Francis Mauigoa to New York at No. 5. The Giants have an interesting opportunity to add a quality O-line option thanks to holding a second first-rounder, and Ioane should remain on the board by No. 10. Kadyn Proctor and Spencer Fano, two tackle prospects who could slide to guard (joining Mauigoa in that regard), also are believed to be on the Giants’ radar, per La Canfora.
Wide receiver should also be considered a factor for the Giants, especially at No. 10. They have been linked closely to Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson, and ESPN.com’s Dan Grazino adds more fuel to the Tyson-to-New York fire by noting the team indeed is fond of the injury-prone Arizona State talent. Tyson has been one of the pre-draft process’ late climbers, as his recent workout showcased upside Tate may not carry. Tate is viewed as a safer prospect, however.
Another scenario for New York may feature Tyson at 10 — if he is still available — but Caleb Downs over Styles at 5, with Graziano adding multiple sources have informed him the Giants would be likely to take the ex-Buckeyes safety over the linebacker if both are available. Downs has been linked to the Giants for weeks, and the Ravens certainly valued the safety position — from Ed Reed to Eric Weddle to Earl Thomas to Kyle Hamilton — under Harbaugh.
A wrench in this plan exists at running back, though. Interest in Jeremiyah Love could prompt the Giants to table a defensive pick and go for the dual-threat Notre Dame RB prospect, with Graziano noting Love will be squarely in play — perhaps even over Downs — if he’s still available at 5. Some in the Giants’ building are holding out hope for Love at 5, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, with ESPN colleague Jordan Raanan finding it difficult to envision the team passing. Love would mark the organization’s second top-five RB investment in nine years. A Saquon Barkley ceiling is uncertain here, but teams have been rewarded for recent first-round RB picks — as possible 2023 extension recipients Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs highlight.
While Fowler also points to the Giants closely eyeing an O-line upgrade at No. 10 in the event Downs is the pick at 5 — mentioning Fano and Ioane — EssentiallySports.com’s Tony Pauline offers more on the receiver front. A concern exists Malik Nabers may not be 100% by Week 1, and Pauline goes as far as to say the Giants “will” use the No. 10 choice on a receiver.
Short-term Nabers concerns would not be a great reason to make a long-term WR investment with such a high pick, though if Tyson or Tate ends up being higher on New York’s board compared to Fano or Ioane, pairing Nabers with one of them makes sense. Tate may be unlikely to fall past New Orleans at No. 8, however. Pauline also cites a source close to Ioane who believes No. 10 might be a bit early for the draft’s top guard prospect to go.
Trading down would represent another route here, and we heard the Giants were open to moving back from No. 5 a bit ago. The New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy hears the Giants would be willing to make a small move back from No. 5 to obtain more Day 2 capital. New York traded its third-round pick to climb up for Jaxson Dart last year. A scenario in which the Cardinals take Love at No. 3 leaving the Titans with a Styles-or-EDGE selection could accelerate Giants trade talks, and either Bailey or Reese remaining on the board at 5 could prompt a trade-up — as the Giants are not in need of OLB help.
As if we aren’t deep enough in this web — big night, Giants fans — Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer is iffy the Giants would use the No. 5 pick on Downs. But the veteran insider confirms the team’s interest in Tyson (who dined with Schoen while the latter was in town for his workout). No. 5 might not even be too high for Tyson, though that would be higher than expected.
The Giants view Tyson as “so dynamic,” Glazer adds. He posted a 1,100-yard season in 2022 but has suffered major knee and collarbone injuries prior to multiple bouts with hamstring trouble. Odell Beckham Jr. comparisons have also emerged here. Were Tyson to become a Giant, a Beckham reunion may not come to pass.
Colton Hood Could Be No. 2 CB In Draft
Thanks to growing concerns over the long-term health of his knee, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy‘s stock appears to be trending down on the eve of the draft. McCoy might not even be the first Tennessee cornerback to come off the board. That honor could go to Colton Hood, Dan Graziano of ESPN reports. Hood may even be the first corner selected after LSU’s Mansoor Delane, per Graziano.
Hood spent his three years in college at three different schools. After redshirting as a freshman at Auburn, he transferred to Colorado in 2024. During his lone season playing under Deion Sanders, Hood intercepted two passes in 13 games. He could have helped replace the departed Travis Hunter last year, but Hood left for Tennessee instead. McCoy wound up missing the entire season with a torn ACL, meaning he and Hood never played together.
With McCoy out of commission in 2025, Hood served as the Vols’ top outside corner and totaled personal bests in tackles (50), passes defensed (eight) and TFL (4.5) in a dozen games. The 5-foot-11, 193-pounder also pulled in an interception, which he returned for a 23-yard touchdown, and picked up a second-team All-SEC nod. In his most recent pre-draft rankings, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com places Hood 21st overall (two spots behind McCoy) and contends he is a “complete player” who should be a capable starter from the get-go.
While this is likely an incomplete list, we know Hood visited with at least six teams in the lead-up to the draft. Along with the Cowboys, he met with the Chiefs, Jets, Raiders, Texans and Seahawks. With the Raiders poised to use the No. 1 pick on quarterback Fernando Mendoza, they may be out on Hood unless they trade back into the first round for him. Hood’s stock has risen enough that he may not be available when the Raiders are on the clock again at 36. If Hood does end up as the second corner taken, the Texans (28th) and Seahawks (32nd) pick late enough in the first round that they also may be out of his range.
Titans Could Choose Between Edge, WR With Fourth Overall Pick
The Titans are set to pick fourth in this year’s draft, but trading down may be a best-case scenario for the rebuilding club. If the Titans stay put, though, they are expected to select either an edge defender or a wide receiver, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.
The Titans are fans of Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, but there is a real possibility the Cardinals will take him third overall. That would leave Tennessee to look for help at other positions. Edge defender and receiver are sensible targets for a team that needs better players at both spots.
The Titans finished last season a respectable 12th in sacks (42), but a team-high 11 came from defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. While they also got a combined 8.5 from edge defenders Dre’Mont Jones and Arden Key, both players are now on other teams.
As part of an offseason defensive overhaul, new Titans head coach Robert Saleh has reunited with one of his former Jets D-ends, Jermaine Johnson. The Titans do not have much else at the position, which could lead them to Texas Tech’s David Bailey at No. 4. The Jets are expected to pick Ohio State linebacker/edge Arvell Reese over Bailey at second overall. If that happens and the Cardinals choose Love, the Titans would be free to grab Bailey. Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. also looks like a fit for the Titans on paper, yet they are reportedly out on him.
As for receiver, the Titans made a sizable free agent investment in former Giants slot wideout Wan’Dale Robinson, whom they brought in on a four-year, $70MM pact. They also restructured Calvin Ridley‘s contract, setting him up to stick around for at least another year, but he endured a disappointing, injury-ruined 2025 and will turn 32 in December. As fourth- and sixth-round rookies last year, Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor posted respectable numbers. But the Titans could still use a legitimate game-breaker at the position. Finding one early in the draft should make life easier on second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
No receivers are expected to go in the top three, which would allow the Titans to snag the best pass catcher on the board with their first pick. If the Titans are leaning offense over defense, their decision may come down to Ohio State’s Carnell Tate versus Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.
Chiefs Exploring First-Round Trade
The Chiefs have explored a trade up from the No. 9 pick in the first round of Thursday’s draft, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Kansas City is widely expected to draft a pass rusher or wide receiver, though they have also done their homework on top offensive tackle talent. A cornerback is not out of the question, either, after Trent McDuffie was traded to the Rams.
The Chiefs could certainly stand pat and still secure a premium prospect at one of their positions of need. But if general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid have fallen in love with a specific player, they could use one of their other eight selections or 2027 capital to move up. It is worth noting that they have a second first-round pick this year, the 29th overall selection, which could give them the option to trade up as high as the No. 3 pick.
Moving up to the Browns’ sixth overall pick seems more reasonable. That would allow the Chiefs to jump the Commanders at No. 7, who are believed to have their eye on some of the same positions. Jumping three picks would be much cheaper than six, and it could also pre-empt other clubs looking to snipe the Chiefs’ targets.
However, Kansas City is “thinking about moving back just as much as they are thinking about moving up,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. A team with a top-heavy salary cap picture needs to find multiple contributors in the draft every year, and getting more bites at the apple is crucial, especially in a class with so much Day 2 talent.
If the Chiefs do not trade up, but their preferred targets are gone at No. 9, they could suddenly be in the catbird’s seat for the teams behind looking to move up. Among those teams are the Rams (No. 13) and the Eagles (No. 23), according to Breer. The Giants (No. 10) and Dolphins (No. 11) are also candidates for such a move, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
Browns Expected To Trade Back From Sixth Pick
While some have speculated that Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft could feature of frenzy of trades, others have more conservative predictions. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, an overabundance of teams looking to trade down on Thursday could actually indicate that fewer trades will take place in 2026 as those teams struggle to find trade partners.
A year after trading down from the second overall pick, the Browns are once again “taking calls about” trading out of their top draft pick, per Schefter. Cleveland already has nine picks scheduled in this year’s draft, and by trading down, the Browns would likely be collecting quite a bit more in a trade down. The franchise is notorious for trading back, and with a draft that is considered thin in top-level talent and thin in depth at the positions Cleveland needs to improve on most, all signs are pointing to another deal getting done.
Initial reports on Cleveland’s desire to move back indicated that the team was looking to land a wide receiver or offensive tackle and believed it could still get a desired prospect after slipping back a few picks. Per Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports, at this point in time, the Browns “would have no problem moving out of the top 10 if the right offer is put in front of them.” That could be crucial as one of the teams most linked to a potential trade up to No. 6 overall is the Cowboys, who currently hold the 12th pick of the draft.
There are several top end prospects at both positions Cleveland is looking at. The rumors of a trade-crazy first round were centered mostly around the idea that several teams would be looking to trade up into the top 10 for offensive tackles. If Cleveland is willing to move down into the double-digit picks, though, it could mean the team is looking to add at wide receiver first, otherwise it would be first in line for the best offensive tackles available if the team just stayed put.
Even if they target an offensive tackle first, though, it’s widely expected that it will be after a trade back. The sources of NFL insider Jason La Canfora “are convinced at this point that (the Browns) will not be using the sixth overall pick.” There are several strategies that Cleveland could be adopting in its attempts to trade back. We’re only days away from seeing what those strategies might be and whether or not the Browns will be able to put them in action.
Prospect Profile: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
The University of Toledo recently said goodbye to longtime head coach Jason Candle, who will now take over the head coaching job at UConn. It ends an era of unprecedented success under Candle who had worked as an assistant coach for the Rockets for seven years before occupying the top job for the last 10.
In the 1990s, Toledo produced only five NFL picks. The next decade produced only six. In Candle’s decade-long tenure, 11 Toledo players have been drafted. Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell became only the school’s second Day 1 pick and its first since 1993 two years ago. He should be very quickly succeeded this year by projected first-round safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
A Tampa-native, McNeil-Warren expected to play offense at Lakewood HS (FL), where his father worked as wide receivers coach. His coaches, instead, tasked him with playing safety and cornerback as a freshman. Shortly before the winter break of his sophomore year, McNeil-Warren received his first scholarship offer from Candle at Toledo. Shortly into the spring semester, offers from two more Group of 5 schools came through before Miami (FL) came in as the only Florida school to offer him. A year later, after his junior season, Kansas State, Indiana, East Carolina, and Maryland through their hats in the ring.
Multiple injuries in his senior season caused many schools to slowly back off their offers, but Candle and Co. stayed locked in with McNeil-Warren and, ultimately, landed his commitment as a result. McNeil-Warren played sparingly as a true freshman but took over as a standout starter in only his second year with the Rockets. Playing all over the field, he filled up the stat sheet, recording 69 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions, three passes defensed, and four forced fumbles. His junior year production was hindered due to a five-game absence caused by injury, and he briefly considered transferring for his final year of school before ultimately opting to stay with the school that initially stuck with him as a high school recruit.
Coming back for his senior year, McNeil-Warren lit up the stat sheet. In his final year of college play, he set or matched career highs in total tackles (77), tackles for loss (5.5), sacks (0.5), interceptions (2, one returned for a touchdown), passes defensed (5), and fumble recoveries (2), while tacking on three more forced fumbles. The stat sheet alone tells a huge portion of McNeil-Warren’s story as a player, depicting a disruptive player who can be pesky in coverage and downright dangerous to ballcarriers with loose grips.
Unlike the two other likely first-round safety prospects, McNeil-Warren boasts a tall (6-foot-3), long, broad-shouldered frame. Despite his lanky visage, McNeil-Warren is a smooth runner with with excellent body control and quick hips. He matches up well against tight ends but can use his length and strength to keep smaller, quicker wideouts from getting to too much space and separation. He understands his role on the defense and won’t often be caught out of position, playing with discipline and improved instincts with each year as a starter. He can lay down big hits but, more often, collects himself in front of tacklers to stay in front of them and, often, attempt to punch out the ball.
Unfortunately, these varied levels of aggression at contact can lead to the occasional missed or broken tackles. McNeil-Warren ranges the defense and finds success off great anticipation but could stand to improve in closer coverage. Also, his history of injuries at both the high school and college levels do warrant some consideration.
Most draft rankings have been pretty consistent with the safety position, ranking Ohio State’s Caleb Downs as the only potential top 10 prospect at the position with McNeil-Warren and Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman neck-and-neck about 10-15 picks later. Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Thieneman as S2 and the 18th-best overall prospect with McNeil-Warren as S3 at 23rd overall. Todd McShay of The Ringer is a little lower on both players, putting Thieneman at 21st overall and McNeil-Warren at 32. Daniel Jeremiah, though, of NFL Network is one of the brave few ranking McNeil-Warren (15th overall) over Thieneman (16th).
The injury history may cause concern, but McNeil-Warren’s size-speed combo with elite hip mobility and a knack for punching out fumbles makes him a very likely option to become the third Toledo player ever taken in the first round of the NFL draft. If he can stay healthy at the next level, McNeil-Warren could rival some of the recent success stories for tall, versatile young safeties like Nick Emmanwori and Kyle Hamilton before him.
Some Teams Prefer Jordyn Tyson’s Upside To Carnell Tate’s; Giants, Jets Showing Interest
One of the top storylines during the late runup to the draft covers the wide receiver position. It no longer appears a given Carnell Tate will be the first wideout chosen this year.
Residing as a fairly high-floor option, Tate did not operate as Ohio State’s No. 1 wide receiver during his time in Columbus. This is due to the presence of standout Jeremiah Smith, who is a candidate to be a top-five pick in 2027. But some teams prefer Jordyn Tyson‘s upside to Tate’s at the receiver spot, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes.
Breer does view most teams as having Tate as this class’ top wideout prospect; we have heard the Saints (No. 8) as a potential floor for the ex-Buckeyes talent, with the Titans, Giants and Commanders being connected as well. Several teams in the top 10, however, like Tyson, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. Tyson, who battled injuries during his college career and amid the draft leadup, performed positional drills for teams at a workout last week. That audition drew extensive attention, with Giants GM Joe Schoen among those making the trip for the showcase.
As our Ely Allen noted last week, Tyson had been viewed as the class’ top wideout at a previous juncture. But injuries have dinged his stock. Tyson suffered ACL, MCL and PCL tears while at Colorado before sustaining a broken collarbone during a 2024 comeback season. He played nine games last year due to hamstring injuries, with that issue coming up during the pre-draft process as well. Tyson shined before the collarbone break in 2024, however, totaling 1,101 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions.
The Giants obtained a second first-round pick via the Dexter Lawrence trade. Holding Nos. 5 and 10, New York could land both a defender and wide receiver. It might be a bit of a skill-position overcommitment for the Giants to go Jeremiyah Love at No. 5 and a receiver at 10, but if Big Blue opts for defense at 5, teams may be leery of them pouncing on Tyson at 10. On that note, SNY’s Connor Hughes mocks the Jets trading up to No. 9 for Tyson, who is believed to be the top receiver on Gang Green’s board.
Smokescreen warnings are obvious at this time of the year, but we heard previously the Jets had first-round grades on just three WRs — Tate, Tyson and Washington’s Denzel Boston. Ely mocked Boston to New York at No. 16, but PFR’s mock draft did not include trades. It is quite possible the Jets — who hold four picks in the first two rounds — could be aggressive to move up for a player they like in a maligned draft class.
The Giants’ Tyson interest is “well known,” per Hughes, who adds the Jets have held exploratory conversations about what it would take to climb up for a receiver. Tyson falling to No. 16 served as a previous Jets hope, per Hughes, but Rapoport now views it as likelier the 6-foot-2 pass catcher goes off the board in the top 10. Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. sits second at the position on some teams’ boards, per Breer, providing considerable intrigue as to the order this receiver class comes off the board.
Tate did not produce a 900-yard receiving season, playing as Smith’s sidekick. Tyson flashed brightly with the Sun Devils but could not shake injury trouble. That represents the main reason why there is a debate on this year’s first receiver off the board, as Tyson would likely occupy that spot were he cleaner from a health perspective. Will Tate’s safer prospect profile outflank Tyson’s higher ceiling Thursday night?
WR Omar Cooper Jr. Met With Titans, Browns, Ravens, Eagles
Between the end of a dream season at Indiana and the upcoming NFL draft, wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. met with a dozen teams, he told Josina Anderson of The Exhibit (link to the full interview). We covered most of them in recent weeks, but visits with the Titans, Browns, Ravens and Eagles were not previously reported. To no surprise, Cooper also met with the Colts at their local pro day.
Aside from the Colts, who are without a first-round pick, any of those teams could target Cooper early. While Cooper once looked like a potential second-rounder, his stock has risen in the pre-draft process. There are some teams that consider Cooper the second-best receiver in a class that also includes Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. Both Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (No. 17) and Dane Brugler of The Athletic (No. 22) rank Cooper firmly in the top 25 among available prospects.
Cooper redshirted as a freshman in 2022 and then combined for a modest 46 catches over the next two seasons, but he averaged an excellent 21.2 yards per grab and scored seven touchdowns in a 28-reception 2024. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza transferred from California to Indiana last year, which went down as easily the greatest season in Hoosiers history. Mendoza hoisted the Heisman Trophy, the Hoosiers went undefeated and won the national title, and Cooper was his QB’s favorite target.
Primarily playing out of the slot in 2025, Cooper pulled in 69 passes for 937 yards and 13 TDs to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors. He also forced 27 missed tackles, most among any receiver in this class. The belief is Cooper will have the flexibility to line up in the slot and on the outside in the NFL.
All of the teams mentioned above may consider Cooper a fit, but some look like more realistic landing spots than others. The Titans need a receiver and are set to pick fourth, though it would be a shock for Cooper to go that early. However, if the Titans trade down, a Cooper selection could make more sense.
Meanwhile, there are few teams (if any) that are worse off than Cleveland at receiver. The Browns might move down from No. 6, and they also have a second first-rounder at No. 24.
The Ravens are scheduled to pick 14th, where they could find a complement to No. 1 receiver Zay Flowers, and the Eagles may address the position at 23rd overall. The Eagles have a more-than-capable top four of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Marquise Brown and Dontayvion Wicks, but A.J. Brown’s days in their uniform appear numbered. Perhaps Cooper will help fill the void if a seemingly inevitable Brown trade occurs before the season.
CB Jermod McCoy Could Slip In Draft Over Knee Concerns
Former Michigan cornerback Will Johnson was a potential first-round pick entering last year’s draft, but he slid to No. 47 (to the Cardinals) amid concerns over his knee. Tennessee corner Jermod McCoy may end up in a similar situation this year. While McCoy is arguably one of the two most talented players at his position, teams are wary over his knee.
McCoy missed all of last season as a result of a torn ACL, but the former second-team All-American showed no ill effects at Tennessee’s pro day on March 31. He ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, logged a 38-inch vertical jump and registered a 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump. McCoy’s ACL is “fine,” according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, though he reports “the concern is about a bone plug that was used to repair a cartilage defect in his knee.” Doctors believe McCoy could require another surgery to replace the bone plug, which would include a long recovery.
With the first round two nights away, one team told Connor Hughes of SNY it has taken McCoy off its board. At least four clubs have red-flagged his knee, per Hughes. Although Albert Breer of SI.com regarded McCoy a potential top-10 pick a week ago, he now considers the 6-foot, 188-pounder a prime candidate to fall down the board. Based on what Breer has heard, teams are not worried about whether McCoy will be ready for next season. Rather, they are unsure about his longevity. That is the same reason Johnson lasted as long as he did in the 2025 draft. Johnson went on to play well during a 10-start rookie year, but he missed five games as a result of groin, back and hip injuries.
If McCoy is poised for a draft free fall, the other top corners in the class would stand to benefit. Thanks in part to McCoy’s health woes, LSU’s Mansoor Delane looks like the clear-cut favorite to become the first corner taken on Thursday. He has a good chance to go in the top 10, Breer reports. Colton Hood (also from Tennessee), Clemson’s Avieon Terrell and San Diego State’s Chris Johnson are a few other first-round hopefuls.
Jaguars To Trade Up For Jadarian Price?
Having lost four-year starter Travis Etienne to the Saints in free agency, the Jaguars could target a running back early in the draft. The Jags will try to move up in Round 2 for Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price if he “starts to slip,” Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports reports.
Thanks to last year’s Travis Hunter trade, the Jaguars will enter this week’s draft without a first-round pick. They are set to make their first selection at No. 56, five spots below where Dane Brugler of The Athletic places the 51st-ranked Price among this year’s prospects. Jacksonville boasts a total of 11 picks, including three in the third round, which could create the opportunity to go up for Price if the team covets the 5-foot-10, 203-pounder.
Price is widely considered the No. 2 back in this class, trailing Fighting Irish teammate and slam-dunk early first-rounder Jeremiyah Love. While playing second fiddle to Love from 2024-25, Price averaged over 6.0 yards per carry on 233 attempts and racked up 18 rushing touchdowns. With Love also serving as a major receiving threat, Price caught just 15 passes in college, but he made a significant impact in the third phase of the game. As a kick returner last year, Price averaged a tremendous 37.5 yards on 12 runbacks and found the end zone twice.
In the event the Jaguars do not land Price, they will address the position in the third round, according to Pauline, who points to Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson as a potential option. The Jaguars “like” Johnson, who dazzled last year en route to first-team All-America honors. Johnson rushed for the fourth-most yards in the nation (1,451) on 251 attempts, scored 15 touchdowns (12 on the ground, three in the air) and caught 46 passes. He is Brugler’s fourth-ranked RB heading into the draft.
Adding a running back in the draft would be the latest investment in the position for the general manager-head coach tandem of James Gladstone and Liam Coen. With Gladstone and Coen in charge for their first draft last year, they spent a fourth-rounder on Bhayshul Tuten and a seventh-rounder on LeQuint Allen. Those two remain in the mix, and the Jaguars picked up ex-Commander Chris Rodriguez on a two-year deal with a fully guaranteed $6.2M in free agency. Tuten, Allen and Rodriguez could soon have company in the form of Price, Johnson or at least one other rookie.