Giants fix run defense, Patriots support Drake Maye in MNF 3-round mock draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Neither the New York Giants nor New England Patriots entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations, but the outsized importance of the quarterback position has changed both franchises' outlooks.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNew York's season is over, its coach fired, and its general manager on thin ice. And yet, Jaxson Dart's hot start has given the organization new life. Next year, they hope, the Giants will look a lot like the Patriots.
New England crashed and burned in Drake Maye's rookie season, firing its head coach and thrusting its prized possession into battle with a less-than-stellar supporting cast. Finding the right coach and giving Maye more help has unlocked upside not seen since Tom Brady's reign.
These teams will end 2025 at opposite ends of the first round, but with potential franchise quarterbacks already in the room, the plans for this offseason could coincide.
New York Giants three-round mock draft
Round 1, Pick 3: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Early in the cycle, I pegged Woods as a potential target in New York because of his top-five upside and the hole between Dexter Lawrence and the quality edge rusher of your choice on the defensive line.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn the months since, Woods has played well, third-round rookie Darius Alexander has not, and the Giants are still poised to have an early selection.
The pass-rush synergy of Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Lawrence is already reaping benefits, and a new hire at defensive coordinator could unlock even more upside. Adding a blue-chip prospect like Woods to that line would make it impossible to keep the Giants out of the conversation for the best single unit in the sport.
Woods is a preternaturally strong run defender who has the power, athleticism, and violent hands necessary to grow into an excellent pass rusher. As the finishing piece of New York's puzzle up front, he'd be set up for early success, and he'd instantly improve the defense's proficiency on early downs.
The shape of this class doesn't mesh well with the Giants' needs, at least this early. If New York stays out of the win column, banking on positional value and freakish athleticism is a solid place to start.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRound 2, Pick 34: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
The second level of the Giants' defense is a mess. Bobby Okereke hasn't lived up to expectations, Micah McFadden has missed virtually the entire season, and his replacements haven't come close to filling his shoes. It's clear that an overhaul is necessary, and Hill's floor makes him a stabilizing presence for whoever is calling the shots in 2026.
There's some refinement needed in his aggressiveness, but Hill's playmaking against the run was worthy of first-round hype this summer. His athleticism and instincts in coverage are encouraging, too.
In an otherwise unsteady year for Texas, Hill has dutifully played the run against elite SEC competition and eliminated the tackling issues that loomed over his profile. This run defense is untenable; Hill could help change those early-down fortunes.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNew England Patriots three-round mock draft
Round 1, Pick 30: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Patriots could go without a first-round receiver. The archetype-based lineup of Stefon Diggs, Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins is clearly enough for Maye to find success.
However, it's worth investing in the upside of the passing offense. Finding a man-beater to take pressure off Diggs and provide long-term potency would help New England keep pace with the AFC arms race under center.
Concepcion is a natural separator with sub-4.45 speed and a knack for stretching the field. This season, he's logged 57 catches for 886 and a conference-leading nine touchdowns. Assuming the Patriots don't view Kyle Williams as a future starter, slotting Concepcion opposite Diggs on the boundary would further open up the possibilities of the aerial attack.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRound 2, Pick 62: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Howell is an incredible talent. He's dominating the SEC and has every athletic tool in the box. His speed makes him liable to chase down quarterbacks, his burst overwhelms opposing tackles, and his bend is a recurring character in his pass-rushing wins.
MORE: Cashius Howell 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: How much does arm length matter?
Yet, his outlier arm length threatens the rest of his profile, limiting his hand usage and spoiling reps against some bigger tackles. It will likely keep him out of Round 1 and, perhaps, the top 50.
Even so, Howell has real pass-rushing upside, and he's powerful enough to earn chances as an every-down playmaker. New England is decent along the edge, but the chance to buy the dip at the end of Round 2 is enticing. If Howell can overcome his arm length, there's little in his game to slow his ascension. That skill set could quickly become a difference-maker on a Patriots defense still figuring out its long-term identity.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRound 3, Pick 94: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
Like just about everyone else in Happy Valley, the 2025 season hasn't gone as planned for Shelton. His frame, year-over-year improvement, and pedigree earned him some early-round hype in August.
He's taken a step forward, but last season's inconsistencies have followed him, and several tackles have leapfrogged him in positional rankings. A first-round contender no more, Shelton looks poised to fill a swing tackle role until he gets a chance to start.
New England still needs a long-term right tackle. Morgan Moses is under contract for two more seasons (although his age and lack of guaranteed money in 2027 could change that math). Shelton stepping in behind him and Will Campbell before taking the reins at right tackle is enticing. He's shown enough to play in a pinch, insulating the passing offense, but a longer absence could leave him overexposed.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere, Shelton would get a proper developmental path and a chance to provide surplus value at a premium position. For both parties, that makes sense at the end of Round 3.
More NFL Draft news
Top 2026 NFL Draft prospects Lane Kiffin is leaving behind at Ole Miss
NFL Draft projections for 2025 Biletnikoff Award finalists
Jayden Maiava 2026 NFL Draft scouting report studies college football's most productive passer
Tyreak Sapp 2026 NFL Draft scouting report challenges preseason expectations
