The countdown to the NFL Draft is nearly over — it’s almost time to drop the pencils, lean back, and enjoy the unpredictable rollercoaster that comes with every pick. A major part of the excitement is watching fans and analysts try to predict the future, crafting mock drafts and debating which prospects best fit each team’s needs.
NFL.com’s Adam Rank has added his voice to the fray, unveiling his one-and-only mock draft on Tuesday. Unlike other analysts who revise their picks as draft day approaches, Rank sticks to a single version — and this year, his projection for the New York Giants is turning heads. While most mocks revolve around the Giants choosing between linebacker Abdul Carter or versatile star Travis Hunter — or possibly targeting a quarterback — Rank veers off that well-traveled path. Instead, he proposes a shocker: New York should select Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
On “Mock Draft Live” Tuesday night on NFL Network, Rank explained his thinking. With Saquon Barkley now in Philadelphia, this pick could serve as a symbolic course correction — a chance for the Giants to reclaim their identity with another explosive, franchise-altering back. Though the team has glaring needs, particularly on the offensive line, Rank argues that selecting a dynamic talent like Jeanty could reignite the fanbase’s passion.
In his write-up on NFL.com, Rank acknowledged the team’s shortcomings but emphasized the emotional and strategic value of Jeanty: “The O-line is a mess, and there are other needs — but what you really need is a game-changer who will help the fans forget Saquon Barkley just won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles,” he wrote. “OK, so they probably won’t ever actually forget that, but still; you could have an offense with Malik Nabers, Jeanty, and Russell Wilson, and that’s … not terrible? Take an offensive lineman in the second round. Take Ashton now and let your fan base love again.”
In Rank’s scenario, Carter lands with the Cleveland Browns and Hunter goes to the New England Patriots, placing them immediately around New York’s pick. It’s easy to see how missing out on a prospect like Hunter might not sit well with the Giants’ faithful. Still, the allure of a “Saquon 2.0”? That’s a pitch many fans could find hard to ignore.
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