John Harbaugh expresses strong admiration for Ohio State safety

Harbaugh Hints at Giants’ Draft Strategy

Did John Harbaugh give a clue about who the Giants might select with their fifth pick? Well, not exactly.

However, he did share some thoughts that might suggest a direction. Harbaugh expressed enthusiastic support for Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and praised his skills, though it’s essential not to read too much into it.

What stands out is Harbaugh’s openness about potential draft picks more than two months ahead of the first round—a sign that he’s stepping into his role with confidence. At 63, he seems unbothered about treading carefully with his words.

Still, this upcoming draft experience with the Giants will differ significantly from his nearly three decades in the NFL.

“This could be the best pick I’ve made as a head coach,” Harbaugh mentioned on the “Mike Francesa Podcast.” He compared it to when Andy Reid selected Donovan McNabb high in the draft during his first year. The excitement of holding such a high pick is palpable.

Harbaugh’s past is notable. He was part of the coaching staff for the Eagles alongside Reid, where they drafted McNabb second overall in 1999. Their next top pick was defensive tackle Corey Simon at sixth in 2000.

During his 18 seasons with the Ravens, Harbaugh led them to the playoffs 12 times, having just three losing seasons. The lowest point was a 5-11 record in 2015, which earned them a sixth overall pick in 2016—used on offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley.

This isn’t typical for Harbaugh, as the Ravens often picked higher, with their only other first-round choice during his tenure, safety Kyle Hamilton, turning out to be a fantastic selection.

Harbaugh has a tendency to take safeties in the first round. His experience shows how impactful a strong safety can be for a defensive unit.

While coaching the Eagles’ defensive backs in 2007, he witnessed Brian Dawkins’ impressive career—nine Pro Bowl appearances and multiple All-Pro selections. In Baltimore, he inherited Ed Reed, another significant defensive player who also made several Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams.

If Downs proves to be as effective as Dawkins, Reed, or Hamilton, the Giants might be ready to make that selection right away.

“I’m a big fan of Downs,” Harbaugh stated. “If we can potentially draft a future Hall of Famer, I’m all in.”

He emphasized the importance of taking the best player available, especially with such a valuable pick. “You hope to see that player in a gold jacket one day. That’s the aim behind this choice.”

Considering the Giants’ current safety situation, picking Downs might make a lot of sense. They have Jevon Holland, who hasn’t made a significant impact, and second-round pick Tyler Nubin had a disappointing sophomore season.

The Giants are currently assessing who the best player is at No. 5. General manager Joe Schoen and the scouting team are involved in crucial meetings as they finalize their decision.

They seem to have ruled out a pursuit of a quarterback this year, so that narrows down their focus. Similarly, it appears they aren’t in the market for another edge rusher.

However, wide receiver remains a notable need, and there might be room for linebacker Abrel Reese on the roster. If Jermaine Elemunor doesn’t return, using the pick on offensive tackle Spencer Fano could be another angle.