2026 NFL Draft buzz: Giants plan at No. 10, Vikings shocker and more draft twists

With the 2026 NFL Draft just days away, this marks the final edition of the 2026 NFL Draft Notebook and one last look at a few surprise scenarios that could shake up the first round.

This week’s notebook focuses on what the New York Giants might do with the No. 10 pick acquired in the Dexter Lawrence trade, why the Minnesota Vikings could go against the grain, and how the Kansas City Chiefs may prioritize offensive tackle early.

This edition of NDN always highlights the top player on my board and a defensive end who could sneak into the back end of the first round.

Giants big trade

The biggest move of the past week was the New York Giants trading three-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th overall pick. Now the question becomes what the Giants do with that selection.

One name to watch is Jordyn Tyson. There is clear interest after general manager Joe Schoen traveled to Tucson last Thursday to attend Tyson’s pro day and meet with him. 

The fit makes sense when you look at the roster. Wan'Dale Robinson is gone after leading the team with 92 receptions last season, which was 55 more than any other wide receiver on the roster. Malik Nabers was limited to just four games due to a knee injury, and the additions of Calvin Austin III and Darnell Mooney are both short-term fixes on one-year deals. That leaves a clear need for a long-term playmaker at the position.

The biggest concern with Tyson is his injury history, and that will ultimately determine how high he goes. But when he is on the field, the production is hard to ignore. He caught 61 passes in just nine games last season and accounted for 54 percent of Arizona State’s receiving yards in 2024 despite drawing constant attention from defenses.

Losing a player like Lawrence is not something you replace easily, but there is a path where this move pays off. If the Giants land a defensive piece like Sonny Styles at No. 5 and come back with Tyson at No. 10, they could walk away from the first round with impact players on both sides of the ball.

Top graded player on my board

There is close to a zero percent chance Jeremiyah Love goes No. 1 overall, and there is even a real possibility he slips outside the top five. That said, he is still the top player in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The biggest reason is his game-breaking speed. Last season, he recorded 39 explosive runs, tied for third in the FBS, and his 23 runs of at least 15 yards ranked fourth nationally while leading all 2026 draft-eligible running backs. The next closest was Mike Washington Jr. with just 17. Beyond the big-play ability, Love shows strong contact balance, using his leg drive to power through defenders and finishing with 896 yards after contact.

He also brings real value as a receiver. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said in a recent interview with Colin Cowherd that Love “is as talented and gifted an athlete as I’ve ever been around” and could be an elite wide receiver. Over the past two seasons, he has caught 55 passes and has averaged more than eight yards per reception in each of his three years at Notre Dame.

In a recent article, I predicted the Tennessee Titans will take Love with the fourth overall pick, where his ability as both a runner and receiver would take pressure off Cam Ward and give the offense a true difference-maker.

Viking Surprise

A team that could make a surprise move on draft day is the Minnesota Vikings. While most projections have them addressing the defensive side of the ball, likely at safety with names like Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, don’t be surprised if they go wide receiver instead.

The biggest reason is the current state of the depth chart. Jalen Nailor is no longer in the picture after signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving Tai Felton as the current number three wide receiver despite catching just three passes last season and making more of his impact on special teams. That leaves a clear hole at the position. On top of that, Jordan Addison has just two years left on his deal, and there are still questions about his long-term future. Add in the fact that head coach Kevin O'Connell leans heavily on the passing game, and the case for adding another weapon starts to make a lot of sense.

One player to watch at pick 18 is KC Concepcion. He is one of the most dangerous playmakers in the 2026 wide receiver class once the ball is in his hands, totaling 440 yards after the catch last season. His open-field ability also shows up on special teams, where he finished second in the FBS with 460 punt return yards. Adding a dynamic No. 3 option like Concepcion would create more space for Justin Jefferson and Addison, forcing defenses into nickel looks and opening up better matchups in the run game.

The versatility Concepcion brings, both as a receiver and returner, could be enough for Minnesota to address defense later. With three Day Two picks, the Vikings have the flexibility to take a swing on offense early and still fill defensive needs on the back end.

Could sneak into round one

A player who could sneak into the back end of the first round is Malachi Lawrence, who could make sense for the Buffalo Bills at No. 26 or the San Francisco 49ers at No. 27. The reason he could hear his name called earlier than expected, and higher than the fourth-round grade I currently have on him, comes down to his combination of length and quickness.

At 6-foot-4, 253 pounds with 33⅝-inch arms, Lawrence has the kind of length teams covet, and he knows how to use it to keep blockers off his frame. He also shows impressive first-step quickness, which has helped him post at least five sacks in each of the last three seasons, making him one of only a handful of players to hit that mark while also earning first-team All-Big 12 honors.

That said, there are clear reasons I view him as more of an early Day Three prospect. The biggest concern is his lack of functional strength, which shows up when defending the run and limits him as a power rusher. He also lacks flexibility, which impacts his ability to bend the edge and was evident when asked to drop into coverage during his time lining up as an outside linebacker at UCF.

There is real buzz building around the idea that Lawrence could sneak into the first round, but if a team pulls the trigger that early, it is fair to question whether the value will match the pick.

Tackle a fit for the Chiefs at pick nine

While the Kansas City Chiefs are widely projected to target defense with the ninth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, don’t be surprised if they go offensive tackle instead. The shift in thinking comes from general manager Brett Veach, who said in his pre-draft press conference, “There’s some talent there (offensive tackle), but I do think it dries up quickly, and by (pick) 35, it could be slim pickings.”

Even though Kansas City also holds the 29th pick, if they view the tackle class as top-heavy and have a need at right tackle, it makes more sense to address the position early rather than risk missing out. Waiting could leave them settling instead of landing a true difference-maker.

One prospect who fits at No. 9 is Spencer Fano. He would be an immediate upgrade over Jaylon Moore, who allowed 27 pressures last season and finished with a 63.1 PFF grade. Fano, on the other hand, won the Outland Trophy and did not allow a single sack. He is also the better overall athlete and would give the Chiefs a pair of young, high-upside tackles alongside last year’s first-round pick Josh Simmons.

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