The 2026 NFL Draft starts this Thursday in Pittsburgh. After finishing last season with an underwhelming 4–13 record, the New York Giants are heading into the draft with the No. 5 and No. 10 overall picks on the board.
With the two most valuable picks, they now have a very real opportunity to accelerate their rebuild around second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. But before a single name gets called on draft night, the Giants have already made an unusual decision to pay homage to a fallen American hero.
The Giants have partnered with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to honor the family of U.S. Army Major Paul C. Voelke. On Thursday, his widow, Traci Voelke, and their two sons, Andrew and Benjamin, will announce the team's fifth overall draft pick.
Major Voelke was a lifelong Giants fan and a decorated officer who died in 2012 during his second deployment to Afghanistan. Over a 14-year career as an infantry officer, he deployed five times to Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He earned several honors, including the Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Traci Voelke shared that even while overseas, her husband found ways to stay connected to the team. He even had a custom Giants logo rug made while stationed in Afghanistan. He deployed for the final time in Jan. 2012, just before the Giants won the Super Bowl.
Though they couldn't watch the game together, she claimed, "while we were sad we couldn't watch it together, we were so happy the Giants won, and Paul got to see it. He died just a few months later," per Dan Benton of Giants Wire.
They have been part of TAPS since 2012. Traci is a mentor for other survivors, and her sons grew up attending the organization's "Good Grief" camps.
Her son Benjamin explained, "Our dad was a Giants super fan his whole life and passed down that fandom to our family. It is a privilege to honor our father and represent the New York Giants at the NFL Draft this year.
The Giants are in a strong position after trading star defender Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 pick. Now holding two top-10 selections, the team can finally build around Dart.
As a rookie, he started 12 games and proved to be a dual-threat, finishing with 15 passing touchdowns and 9 rushing touchdowns. With these high-value picks, the front office can now focus on getting him more protection and playmakers for his second year.
Beyond their two top-10 picks, the Giants also have the No. 37 selection in the second round. All three of these early picks will be cornerstones for new head coach John Harbaugh as he begins his rebuild in East Rutherford.
