John Harbaugh is coaching a new team for the first time since 2008 and his first year with the Giants will bring another new experience.
The Giants have the fifth overall pick in the 2026 draft and Harbaugh noted on The Mike Francesa Podcast that he has never been that high in the draft order as a head coach. The Ravens picked left tackle Ronnie Stanley sixth overall in 2016 and Harbaugh told Francesa that it is “pretty exciting to have a pick this high.”
One player who could be on the board for the Giants at No. 5 is Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Harbaugh was asked his impressions of the player. Harbaugh called himself a “big fan” and said he’d take Downs “in a second” if he’s the best available player.
“We favor Hall of Fame safeties, so if we have a chance to draft a potential future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just fine with me,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll take the best player. When you draft that high, you take the best player. It’s not a need pick, it’s a best player pick because you’re going for the guy that’s going to be that kind of player. You’re talking about a player that you would like to see someday wearing a gold jacket if possible.”
Harbaugh had an impactful safety in Kyle Hamilton in the final years of his run with the Ravens. Downs could give him one to kick off his Giants tenure.