NFL Draft: 3 questions facing the Giants

The NFL Draft starts Thursday and the Giants have the No.  5 and No. 10 picks in the first round. Here are three questions we answer ahead of coach John Harbaugh’s first draft with the team.

1. Are the Giants the most interesting team in the first round now that they have the No. 5 and No. 10 picks?

They made a seismic move Saturday night, trading Dexter Lawrence to acquire the No. 10 pick from the Bengals. Forgetting for a minute the huge hole on defense, it makes the Giants big-time players for Thursday.

Will they try to double up on getting two defensive players? Could they get a prime player at No. 5 and then cross their fingers to maybe get another prospect, perhaps Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, at No. 10?

It gives the Giants a lot more flexibility. They might not need to choose between Downs or his Buckeyes teammate, Sonny Styles. They have a chance to grab both; Downs could fall lower in the top 10 than being taken at 4 or 5 because safeties are rarely grabbed in the top five.

But make no mistake. Trading Lawrence signals this is a new era under Harbaugh. It also is a reminder of past decisions in which the Giants let Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney leave in free agency and become All-Pro selections elsewhere.

How that plays out will be determined in the coming months. For now, the Giants can start over with two first-round picks who can contribute immediately the way Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart did last season.

2. Styles, Downs or Jeremiyah Love: Why should the Giants draft them?

The Giants have the luxury of taking the best player available without regard for position need. So it starts with the trio of great players they could be in play for.

Styles is an incredibly athletic linebacker with great size (6-5, 244 pounds) and tackling ability. Downs is a gifted safety who plays with force, speed and high IQ.

The Giants shored up inside linebacker by signing Tremaine Edmunds this offseason. They have starting safeties Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, but Nubin’s second-year struggles could make Harbaugh want a fresh start.

Yet the Giants shouldn’t be afraid to load up depth at those positions. It didn’t stop them from drafting Carter last season. It also shouldn’t stop them from keeping Love in mind at running back.

The Notre Dame product is explosive and versatile as a pass-catcher. He’s got home run ability, something that Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. lack. Both were productive last season and more than capable of leading the room next season, but it’s tempting to add Love to make that room stronger.

Styles, Downs and Love have the potential to impact things right away. But the Giants need help stopping the run as much as adding weapons around Dart. If Styles is available, he’s the best bet to fix a defense that allowed an NFL-worst 5.31 yards per carry.

3. Could the Giants pick someone else at No. 5 or trade down?

General manager Joe Schoen visited Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson’s workout this past week, a reminder that the Giants’ biggest needs on offense are at receiver and guard.

So could they go with a different plan than expected? If they don’t take someone from the trio of Styles, Downs or Love, keep an eye on Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa.

Mauigoa (6-5, 329 pounds) was an All-American right tackle last season, but scouts think he’ll be better suited at guard. The Giants added guards Sam Roberts and Daniel Faalele on one-year contracts, but Mauigoa could be a longer-term solution.

If the Giants take a receiver in the first round, it’s because they’ve traded down. It’s hard to see Tyson, Carnell Tate (Ohio State) or Makai Lemon (USC) being taken at No. 5. But for the Giants to move down, they would need a tempting offer including picks.

If that happens and they wind up drafting in the teens? Don’t be surprised if they get Tyson, Tate or Lemon.

Lemon is an excellent route-runner who plays bigger than his size (5-11). Tate is a downfield threat with great size (6-2, 194 pounds), great hands and productivity.

Tyson has battled multiple injuries, including a hamstring injury that kept him out of the NFL Combine. He might not be worth the risk, given that Malik Nabers is returning from an ACL injury. But don’t be surprised if the Giants go against the grain at No. 5 by drafting an offensive lineman or trading down to get a receiver.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.