Big Blue View
The New York Giants season is almost over, but their week 18 game agaisnt the Dallas Cowboys is just the appetizer to what promises to be a very busy and consequential off-season.
The 2026 NFL Draft process will be running concurrently with the Giants’ off-season process, but how the Giants approach the draft will depend on how the first steps of their off-season play out.
The Giants have to find their next head coach, and he’ll have to assemble his coaching staff. The Giants’ front office will also have to make decisions and engage in negotiations with a whole host of free agents. Their priorities in those negotiations will be determined by the new staff’s scheme and vision for the team as much as filling out the roster.
But we do have to keep one eye on the draft process, as how the draft board shapes up will also inform the later steps of the Giants’ off-season program.
Personally, I think we can take the second round of the College Football Playoffs as the start of that process. And so far it has been a fascinating collection of games.
Fernando Mendoza is generally considered a lock to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, and he’s widely expected to be the first overall pick. That was only reinforced when Indiana took Alabama back behind the woodshed to the tune of 38-3. Mendoza was accurate, efficient, and poised, making “NFL” throws in the face of Alabama’s pressure packages.
But he also might not be the best quarterback in the playoffs, and perhaps not the best quarterback in the upcoming draft class.
That’s because Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is still in the dance, and might be doing enough to make declaring for the drat a real possibility. Moore is a dynamic athlete in the mold of Jayden Daniels, and an excellent pure passer in the pocket. He throws a very catchable ball, and is able to throw with timing, touch, and anticipation. He looks extremely comfortable layering the ball between defenders, even in the face of an excellent Texas Tech defensive front.
Depending on what Moore’s camp is hearing from sources around the NFL, the conversation could shift from whether Moore will declare to whether he or Mendoza will be the first pick.
That could set up a situation similar to the top of the 2016 NFL Draft with Jared Goff and Carson Wentz.
If the Giants finish with the second overall pick (which might be the most likely outcome at this point) they could be in a valuable position if both Moore and Mendoza declare.
Indiana’s win over Alabama wasn’t the only statement win of the weekend. If anything, the Miami Hurricanes’ 24-14 win over Ohio State was even more impressive.
Personally, I can’t wait to watch freshman Malachi Toney develop. The former dual-threat quarterback turned receiver/offensive weapon is just dynamic. He has 8 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards and 8 touchdowns this...
