Giants eye offensive tackle in 2026 NFL Draft to help Jaxson Dart originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Giants appear ready to make protecting Jaxson Dart a top priority.
The Giants are projected to select Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano at No. 5 overall. The logic behind the pick is straightforward. If Dart is going to be the face of the franchise, the front office has to protect their starting quarterback.
With John Harbaugh now leading the organization, the Giants are signaling a shift toward structure and stability. That begins up front in the trenches.
Fano is viewed as one of the most NFL ready offensive linemen in the class, a high floor prospect capable of stepping into a starting role early in his career.
For a team that has spent years cycling through fixes that never fixed anything, that matters more than flash.
Fano brings size, technique and consistency.He is not defined by highlight plays, but by how rarely he loses. That profile fits exactly what the Giants need as they work to develop a young quarterback. As we have seen many times a signal caller is only as good as his offensive line would allow him to be.
Dart’s success will depend heavily on his environment. Time in the pocket, clean throwing lanes and confidence in his protection will shape how quickly he can grow at the NFL level. Adding an offensive tackle with Fano’s readiness would immediately raise the baseline of the offense and reduce the pressure on Dart to play hero ball.
Harbaugh’s history only reinforces that mindset. His previous tenure in Baltimore came with success with reliable guys in the trenches with guys that control games and allow skill players to operate without chaos. Drafting an offensive tackle early would reflect that philosophy and mark a clear departure from past Giants regimes that chased upside while neglecting the fundamentals.
The Giants could chase another shiny option at No. 5, but that approach has already cost them years. Passing on offensive line help would risk repeating the same mistakes that have stalled previous rebuilds.
Fano may not be a sexy pick when his name is called on draft night, however his impact could be felt early and often if Dart is able to keep upright and make decisions with the ball. Whether he starts at tackle or provides flexibility across the line, his presence would stabilize a unit that has been anything but dependable.
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the Giants appear focused on Jaxson Dart and leading the franchise forward, and protecting him must come first.
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