The Giants won just four games last season, but they felt like one of the league’s true young breakout teams heading in the right direction entering 2026. Injuries to several of their young playmakers never allowed them to fully put everything together, but the pieces were there, and there’s plenty of reason for optimism in New York.
Despite the flashes this roster showed, the four-win season wasn’t enough to save Brian Daboll’s job. I still believe in Daboll, but the split makes sense, especially considering the Giants were able to land a highly regarded head coach in John Harbaugh. His time in Baltimore ended on a sour note with a few disappointing playoff exits and underwhelming seasons by Ravens standards, but Harbaugh is a proven winner and the type of coach the Giants have been missing for quite some time. He is more of a CEO-style head coach than an offensive or defensive play-caller, though, which puts extra pressure on the rest of the coaching staff.
At offensive coordinator, the Giants landed Matt Nagy from Kansas City. Nagy had worked his way back into head coaching conversations despite his unsuccessful stint in Chicago. He ultimately didn’t land another head coaching job, but whenever you can hire a legitimate head coaching candidate as your offensive coordinator, it’s generally a strong addition. That said, I’m not the biggest Matt Nagy fan, but the Giants could certainly do worse than having him call plays.
At defensive coordinator, the Giants hired Dennard Wilson. A former defensive backs coach under Harbaugh in Baltimore, Wilson spent the last two seasons as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator. A head coaching change ended his tenure there, but he fielded some respectable defenses despite working with a pair of struggling rosters. He’s still relatively unproven as a defensive play-caller because of the situation in Tennessee, making him difficult to evaluate. I like the hire, but he’s still a long way from proving he’s one of the league’s top defensive minds.
Special teams coordinator Chris Horton also follows Harbaugh from Baltimore. He did a solid job with the Ravens and is another quality addition to the Giants’ coaching staff.
General manager Joe Schoen has been given a long leash to build something in New York, and it really has felt like the Giants have been moving in the right direction. At some point, though, the results have to improve if he’s going to keep his job.
This should be a culture-building, floor-raising coaching staff. None of these coaches are among the league’s elite individually, but together they form a strong group that should help this Giants team take a step forward in 2026.
Quarterbacks (27th)
The biggest momentum-building story from last season was the emergence of first-round pick Jaxson Dart. Dart broke out down the stretch as both a runner and playmaker while also showing flashes of the processing ability that was one of the biggest questions surrounding him coming out of college. He’s a high-risk, high-reward quarterback prospect who has looked the part so far, but he still ranks just 27th because he’s very unproven as a passer. He also plays an extremely physical style that seemed to send him to the medical tent nearly every game as a rookie. That’s a concern that raises long-term durability questions while also putting a magnifying glass on whoever is backing him up.
Luckily for the Giants, they have an ideal backup in Jameis Winston. Winston is a beloved, energetic locker-room presence who seems to be a great mentor for Jaxson Dart. He’s also proven he can win games in the NFL. He certainly has his flaws, which are why he’s no longer viewed as a full-time starter, but there are plenty of less proven backups around the league than Winston. He wasn’t great in his two starts last season, losing both, but he still put up yards and helped keep the Giants competitive, losing by one score to the Packers and falling to the Lions in overtime. Those were respectable performances, and the Giants should feel comfortable having him back as their backup in 2026.
The final quarterback in the room is Brandon Allen, a veteran backup who’s been forced into action at several stops throughout his career and has mostly struggled in those opportunities. Given Dart’s durability concerns, it’s certainly possible the Giants decide to carry a third quarterback, but Allen isn’t someone I’m particularly excited about keeping on the active roster. I’d rather stick with two quarterbacks for now and keep Allen, or another veteran, on the practice squad.
This quarterback room, whether it’s Dart or Winston under center, is going to be extremely volatile. While I believe in Dart’s long-term potential, it’s hard to rank him much higher entering the season because of how little he’s proven as a passer. If the Giants are still ranked this low at quarterback heading into next season, though, it will likely mean something went wrong in 2026.
Running Backs (20th)
Ever since the departure of Saquon Barkley, the Giants’ running back room has been filled with multiple solid backs who would make good RB2s but lacked a true RB1 to lead the group. That changed last season when fourth-round rookie Cam Skattebo broke out alongside Jaxson Dart. He played just 26% of the team’s offensive snaps before suffering a season-ending injury, but he looks like the Giants’ RB1 moving forward as long as he can stay healthy. Skattebo is a tough, physical runner who simply finds ways to pick up yards, even if he lacks the breakaway speed of some other backs. He also contributed as a receiver, totaling over 200 receiving yards despite playing only half the season.
Behind Skattebo are two quality backs that make this one of the deeper running back rooms in the league. Tyrone Tracy entered and finished last season as the RB1 but quickly settled into the backup role whenever Skattebo was healthy. A former wide receiver, Tracy is an excellent complementary, change-of-pace back who brings elusiveness and receiving upside. He probably would’ve had a better chance to become the long-term starter if not for his fumbling issues, which ultimately led the Giants to draft Skattebo. To Tracy’s credit, he cleaned that up with just one fumble last season and enters 2026 as a valuable contributor who should see a sizeable handcuff role while Skattebo works his way back from injury.
Devin Singletary might be the best RB3 in the league. He’s a solid, if unspectacular, running back who fits a similar mold to Skattebo, playing with surprising power despite his smaller frame. Singletary excels at absorbing contact, staying on his feet, and churning out extra yards while also contributing as both a receiver and pass blocker. He shouldn’t have a major role if everyone stays healthy, but he’s an excellent insurance policy to have.
That trio will likely round out the running backs on the active roster. Former fifth-round pick Eric Gray is still around, but he played just three offensive snaps last season despite Skattebo’s injury and didn’t contribute much on special teams either. He could make the roster again, but if I were the Giants, I’d probably cut ties at this point. Former UDFA Dante Miller has flashed a bit during previous preseasons, but he feels more like a practice squad option. UDFA Damon Bankston rounds out the room. I was familiar with the New Mexico running back, but he wasn’t someone I evaluated during the draft process.
Harbaugh also brought fullback Patrick Ricard with him from Baltimore. Matt Nagy’s offenses haven’t consistently featured a fullback, but with a player of Ricard’s caliber, I’m sure he’ll find ways to work him into the offense.
This running back room is as strong as it’s been since Barkley left and has the potential to become one of the team’s biggest strengths if everything comes together. Skattebo is still relatively unproven, and his durability remains a legitimate concern, but it’s hard not to be excited about this group entering 2026.
Weapons (21st)
Wide Receivers (19th)
The Giants made a ton of moves this offseason to improve their weapons. Nowhere is that more evident than at wide receiver, where they signed five free agents while also spending a third-round pick on the position. At the top, though, the Giants finally have a true WR1 in Malik Nabers… or do they? When healthy, Nabers has looked like one of the league’s best receivers through his first two seasons. Unfortunately, for the third position group in a row, we have to talk about injuries.
Unlike Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo, who simply play reckless, physical styles, Nabers hasn’t really been an injury-prone player. He’s dealt with his share of minor injuries, but now he’s coming off a major knee injury. The bigger concern is that he may not even be ready for Week 1. The vibes surrounding his recovery haven’t been particularly encouraging, and the videos of him trying to run haven’t inspired much confidence either. Recent reports have even suggested he could require a cleanup procedure that would likely land him on injured reserve to begin the season. Considering all of the Giants’ offseason additions, it almost feels like they’re preparing to be without him for at least part of the year. Long term, Nabers is still the third member of New York’s young core alongside Dart and Skattebo. For 2026, though, it’s a wait-and-see situation.
Behind Nabers are plenty of recognizable names, but far less proven production. Darius Slayton is likely the WR2 entering the season. He’s spent the last couple of years behind Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson while consistently providing reliable production. Slayton is a solid receiver, but he shouldn’t be expected to handle WR1 responsibilities if Nabers misses significant time.
Calvin Austin III is currently projected as the starting slot receiver. He’ll primarily fill a gadget role while also providing legitimate deep-threat speed. His numbers have never really jumped off the page, but I liked what I saw from him in Pittsburgh over the last two seasons, and he should be a nice complementary piece.
Those may be the listed starters, but I actually think Darnell Mooney is the second-best receiver on the roster. He had a disappointing 2025 season in Atlanta, but he’s previously shown he can be a reliable, high-volume target. I’d start him in the Wan’Dale Robinson role alongside Nabers, with Slayton and Austin rotating around them. A lot of Mooney’s success, though, will depend on his chemistry with Jaxson Dart. If those two click, I think Mooney plays his way into the starting lineup. If they don’t, WR4 is probably the right spot for him.
It’s difficult to know exactly where he fits among all of these veterans, but third-round rookie Malachi Fields should still earn his share of opportunities. At different points during the draft process, Fields generated late first- and second-round buzz before ultimately slipping to the third round. He’s a classic big-bodied receiver who wins with contested catches. That profile has become somewhat unpopular because people remember players like N’Keal Harry, but it still brings something valuable to an offense. Dart is at his best when extending plays, and while many of those turn into scrambles rather than throws, having a receiver who can win contested catches gives him another safety valve. I don’t see Fields developing into a true WR1, but I do think he can become a productive NFL receiver, especially if Nabers misses time.
If this receiver room wasn’t already crowded enough, the Giants also signed former Pro Bowlers JuJu Smith-Schuster and franchise legend Odell Beckham Jr. Both are the type of veterans you’d expect to make the roster, yet I have them projected as WR6 and WR7. That raises an interesting question: are the Giants really planning to carry seven receivers, let alone rotate all of them? That’s one reason I think these signings further suggest the team isn’t expecting Nabers to be fully healthy early in the season.
Calling JuJu a former Pro Bowler is technically accurate, but it’s also a bit misleading. He earned that honor in Pittsburgh and has settled into more of a reliable depth role ever since. Over the last three seasons combined, he’s totaled just 836 receiving yards. He’s the type of veteran you expect to make the roster, but not someone you expect to have a major offensive role.
Beckham’s career has followed a very different path. He was electric during his first stint with the Giants and remained a top receiver after being traded to Cleveland, recording over 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first five healthy seasons. Since 2019, though, injuries have taken their toll. He played just seven games for Cleveland in 2020, split 2021 between the Browns and Rams before helping Los Angeles win the Super Bowl, then missed the entire 2022 season after tearing his ACL in that game. He bounced back with over 500 yards in Baltimore in 2023 but managed just 55 yards with Miami in 2024 before going unsigned throughout 2025. Even at this stage of his career, Beckham can still flash the talent that once made him special, but those days are few and far between. Like JuJu, he’s more of a veteran depth option than a player you should expect to consistently produce.
The options don’t stop there. Isaiah Hodgins played 31% of the offensive snaps last season and remains in the mix for a roster spot. Braxton Berrios is another veteran addition and a former All-Pro return specialist. Beaux Collins made the team as an undrafted rookie last season, contributing on offense while becoming an important special teamer. Gunner Olszewski is expected to miss the entire season with an injury, while former Jets returner Xavier Gipson also remains in the mix. There are plenty of intriguing names here, but only so many roster spots.
One player we haven’t mentioned yet is 2023 third-round pick Jalin Hyatt. At this point, he has to be considered a bust after totaling just 97 receiving yards over the last two seasons. With so many players now ahead of him, his time in New York feels like it’s coming to an end. If he somehow beats out this crowded group, though, he’d quickly become one of the more interesting comeback stories on the roster. Rounding out the room are 2025 undrafted free agent Dalen Cambre and Ryan Miller, who has bounced around the league over the past few seasons.
This is such a deep receiver room that it’s difficult to rank it too low. At the same time, if Nabers misses significant time, it suddenly becomes a much more questionable group unless someone steps up to replace the production lost from both him and Wan’Dale Robinson. If Nabers is healthy for most of the season, though, I think this is a strong unit that’s still one piece away from joining the league’s elite.
Tight Ends (19th)
The Giants’ tight end room has been one of the weaker position groups on the roster over the past few years, but this offseason John Harbaugh brought longtime Raven Isaiah Likely with him to take over as the starter. Likely was much more than a typical backup in Baltimore, often lining up alongside Mark Andrews as a slot receiver rather than simply waiting on the sidelines. He’ll finally get the chance to handle a true TE1 workload in New York, although I still expect the Giants to keep him detached from the line of scrimmage as much as possible to maximize his strengths.
Theo Johnson returns, this time settling into the backup role. He’s a receiving tight end who’s big enough to hold his own as an in-line player, even if he isn’t the blocker you’d expect for someone with his size. Chris Manhertz is also back after playing just over 200 offensive snaps last season, almost exclusively as a blocker while recording just seven receiving yards. With Daniel Bellinger gone, I expect Manhertz to see an even bigger role helping cover for the blocking limitations of both Likely and Johnson. Fullback Patrick Ricard will likely be asked to help in that area as well.
Thomas Fidone II, a seventh-round pick last year, enters training camp firmly on the roster bubble after logging just 14 offensive snaps as a rookie. He’s another in-line option but is likely nothing more than depth if he even makes the roster. Tanner Conner is a smaller receiving tight end who spent time in Miami. I’d prefer to keep him on the practice squad as a stylistic replacement for Likely in case of an injury.
The Isaiah Likely signing is an exciting one, but the room as a whole still projects as average. Johnson fits much better as a second option than as the leader of the room, and Manhertz, Ricard, and Fidone all help compensate for the group’s blocking weaknesses. It’s far from a perfect tight end room, but it’s noticeably improved and much more exciting than what the Giants have had in recent years, which has become a common theme throughout this roster.
Offensive Line (16th)
Offensive Tackles (9th) & Interior Offensive Line (21st)
Andrew Thomas leads this offensive line as one of the game’s premier tackles. He’s consistently been an elite pass blocker, but he’s also improved as a run blocker, making him the best individual player on this offense. Opposite him, at least for now, is Jermaine Eluemunor. Eluemunor broke out with the Raiders before spending the last two seasons as the Giants’ starting right tackle. He’s one of those players who’s clearly good enough to start, but also someone you’d always be looking to upgrade if the opportunity presented itself. He’s dependable in both phases of the game and gives the Giants a solid option at right tackle.
Behind him, 2025 fifth-round pick Marcus Mbow filled in when Andrew Thomas missed time. He was always viewed as more of a developmental prospect and clearly wasn’t ready to play as a rookie. Right now, he’d be penciled in as the swing tackle, but there’s reason to believe the Giants could go another direction if a starting spot opens up. First-round pick Francis Mauigoa is expected to start at right guard, but he has the versatility to slide outside if needed. In the event of a long-term injury at tackle, the Giants could move Mauigoa outside and trust their interior depth rather than relying on Mbow before he’s ready. As a guard, Mauigoa is an elite prospect, and I think he’ll immediately become the best player on the interior, especially in pass protection.
The Giants also drafted J.C. Davis in the sixth round this year. I was a big fan of Davis as a prospect, but like Mbow, I don’t think he’s ready to contribute right away. I’d rather see him given time to develop than be thrown into the fire too early.
The remaining tackle depth begins with Joshua Ezeudu, who’s been with the Giants since 2022 but hasn’t shown much when given opportunities. The Giants also have undrafted rookie Ryan Schernecke, along with Jarrod Gray, who won’t count against the practice squad limit as part of the International Player Pathway Program. None of those players should be expected to see meaningful snaps, or probably even make the initial 53-man roster.
On the interior, we’ve already talked about Mauigoa at right guard. At left guard is Jon Runyan Jr., who has started the past two seasons in New York. He hasn’t been a true liability, but he also hasn’t developed into a consistently reliable starter. Runyan lacks the week-to-week consistency you’d like from a starting guard, but he also isn’t dragging this line down, performing better than plenty of teams’ fifth-best offensive linemen. At center is 2023 second-round pick John Michael Schmitz, a player I thought was one of the steals of that draft. His NFL career has been disappointing so far despite receiving plenty of opportunities, but he finally seemed to turn a corner last season. That gives me optimism he can build on that progress and emerge as a quality starting center in 2026.
The tackle depth, assuming Mauigoa stays at guard, is a concern, especially compared to the interior depth. Daniel Faalele was heavily criticized as a starter in Baltimore, but now that he’s followed Harbaugh to New York, he profiles as a much more comfortable backup. You still don’t want him starting every week, but he’s a perfectly respectable reserve at this stage of his career. The same can be said for veteran center Lucas Patrick. Patrick lacks the physical upside to be a full-time starter, but he offers a steady veteran presence for an offensive line that could use the stability.
Aaron Stinnie is currently listed as the backup left guard, although I wouldn’t be surprised if the Giants carried only five interior offensive linemen, putting Stinnie on the roster bubble. Also in danger is 2022 first-round pick Evan Neal, who unfortunately has become one of the bigger busts in recent memory. Neal has flashed a little at guard, but he’s been largely unplayable throughout his career at both tackle and guard. At this point, I expect the Giants to finally move on from him when they trim the roster to 53 players. Jake Kubas and Bryan Hudson, both undrafted additions in 2024, round out the group, though neither is expected to make the active roster. Kubas has generated a little more buzz than Hudson, making him the more likely practice squad candidate.
As a whole, this offensive line projects as average, or perhaps slightly below average, with Andrew Thomas and the potential of Francis Mauigoa pushing the group upward. The depth is questionable, but that’s true for plenty of NFL offensive lines. If this unit is going to take the next step, someone besides the often-injured Andrew Thomas needs to emerge as more than just a solid starter. The Giants are hoping Mauigoa can become that player, and perhaps someone else develops alongside him. Until that happens, though, I have this offensive line ranked 16th.
Offense (26th) – Pass Game (26th) – Run Game (16th)
At nearly every position across the offense, the Giants have an unproven but exciting reason for optimism. Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely, and Francis Mauigoa form an electric young core, but they’ve played so little NFL football and still have plenty of questions to answer. Can Dart, Skattebo, Nabers, and even Andrew Thomas stay healthy over the course of a full season? Can Likely handle the responsibilities of a true TE1, both as an in-line blocker and outside of Mark Andrews’ shadow? Can Mauigoa successfully make the transition to guard, and is that where he’ll remain long term?
This offense is fun and exciting, but it’s hard to ignore all of those question marks. Entering the season, I have the Giants ranked 26th offensively. The running game is much more proven, led by multiple capable backs behind a respectable offensive line, but the passing game is still relying heavily on projection rather than production.
From the Giants’ perspective, though, that’s exactly why this season is so important. If this offense is still only the league’s 26th-best unit by the end of the year, it will likely mean the rebuild, or something of importance, has gone off the rails.
Defensive Line (18th)
Interior Defensive Line (30th)
The Giants’ interior defensive line had been one of the strengths of this team for years, but the departure of Dexter Lawrence changes that completely. As we’ll get to later, they have a deep edge rushing group, so perhaps they’ll move one of those players inside in certain situations. As things stand, though, this defensive tackle room is pretty underwhelming.
Nose tackle D.J. Reader is probably the best player in the group, but he’s been trending in the wrong direction over the last few seasons and isn’t the impact player he once was. Shelby Harris joins from Cleveland to play the hybrid defensive end role in this 3-4 front. He’ll line up there in base defense, but when the Giants move into their nickel packages, he’ll either come off the field or slide inside alongside another interior rusher. Harris is another dependable veteran who gets the job done, but ideally wouldn’t be starting full-time.
2025 third-round pick Darius Alexander rounds out the projected starting trio. He’s probably the most exciting player in the room, although he experienced his fair share of rookie growing pains last season. He’s easily the biggest pass-rushing threat on the interior, especially considering Reader and Harris combined for just one sack last year. His run defense, however, is still a work in progress.
While the Giants are technically listed as a 3-4 defense with three starting interior defenders, I expect them to spend much more time in nickel packages with just two interior defensive linemen. In those situations, Alexander should remain on the field as the primary interior pass rusher, while the Giants use their traditional three-man front more often on obvious running downs. Allowing Alexander to specialize as a pass rusher while he continues to develop against the run may be the best way to maximize his strengths early in his career.
Another player who was expected to factor into that pass-rushing rotation, Roy Robertson-Harris, reportedly tore his Achilles and is expected to miss the entire season, even though he has yet to be officially placed on injured reserve. His injury leaves a noticeable hole in both the rotation and the overall roster construction. With Robertson-Harris out of the picture, Leki Fotu becomes the next man up, although he’s much more of a traditional nose tackle than a versatile interior defender. Sixth-round rookie Bobby Jamison-Travis fits a similar mold as another run-stuffing nose tackle without offering much pass-rushing upside. Even though the room is five players deep without Robertson-Harris, the Giants still lack another versatile rotational defensive lineman who can consistently rush the passer.
That battle likely comes down to offseason additions Sam Roberts and Josh Tupou. Roberts has appeared in just 20 games over four NFL seasons but has flashed in limited opportunities. Tupou received a larger role in Cincinnati but has struggled to stick on rosters over the past two years. Personally, I’d rather use some of the Giants’ edge rushers to help fill the void inside on passing downs, but if they decide to keep another true defensive tackle, I’d lean toward Roberts.
Beyond them, Zacch Pickens joins the roster after bouncing around the league over the last few years. He’s an interesting developmental project but hasn’t shown much at the NFL level. Ben Barten and Anquin Barnes Jr. are both undrafted rookies I’m not particularly familiar with. Finally, the Giants recently signed C.J. Ravenell after Tennessee released him following a season-ending injured reserve stint. I was a little surprised to see him sign without an injury designation, so I’m not entirely sure where he stands health-wise, but if he’s healthy, he could compete for a practice squad spot.
This interior defensive line has a few serviceable starters but no true difference-makers, along with plenty of unanswered questions. The Roy Robertson-Harris injury really hurts the depth and further exposes how thin this room is. If Darius Alexander takes a step forward while Reader and Harris remain serviceable, this group could be respectable. As things stand, though, it projects much closer to a weakness than a strength. If only Dexter Lawrence were still here.
Edge Rushers (7th)
Edge has been one of the Giants’ biggest strengths for the past couple of years, and they continued investing in the position this offseason. Their biggest addition was first-round pick Arvell Reese, a linebacker who was widely expected to transition into a 3-4 edge rusher at the NFL level. For now, he’s listed with the linebackers, but don’t be surprised if he gets opportunities off the edge throughout the season.
Brian Burns is coming off a breakout campaign in which he recorded 16.5 sacks, even if the underlying metrics suggest that number may be difficult to repeat. He’s a natural regression candidate because of that, but he’s still a legitimate No. 1 edge rusher, even if he may not hold that title in New York for much longer.
Starting opposite Burns is 2025 first-round pick Abdul Carter. Like Reese, Carter entered the league as more of a linebacker but has quickly established himself as an edge rusher, only occasionally kicking back to linebacker when needed. Despite recording just four sacks as a rookie, Carter had an outstanding first season and consistently disrupted opposing offenses. He’ll look to build on that alongside Burns in what has become one of the better pass-rushing duos in the league.
2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux remains the third edge rusher, and he’s a major reason Reese is beginning his career at linebacker. Thibodeaux is one of the league’s best third edge rushers and would comfortably slot in as a No. 2 on many NFL teams. In New York, though, he serves as a luxury piece who keeps Burns and Carter fresh throughout the game.
There’s certainly a world where Burns or Thibodeaux slides inside on passing downs, or Carter shifts back to linebacker to get all three edge rushers on the field together. The Giants, however, seemed content rotating them for most of last season, and I wouldn’t expect that philosophy to change much in 2026.
With Reese also capable of rushing off the edge, the need for additional edge depth is fairly minimal. Chauncey Golston is more than deserving of playing time, but I think he’ll spend more snaps reinforcing the interior defensive line than working on the edge unless injuries force a change. I also doubt the Giants carry more than four true edge rushers. If they do, Khalid Kareem and Caleb Murphy have both made reasonable cases for themselves in the past. If Golston transitions inside full time, I’d probably give Kareem the final edge spot, although either player would be a reasonable choice. Rounding out the room is 2025 undrafted free agent Trace Ford, who didn’t see the field during his rookie season.
Edge is not only a strength of this team, but also a puzzle with plenty of questions. The questions aren’t about the talent though, just how best to use them, and how to get everyone enough playing time in such a crowded room. The new coaching staff may make different decisions than the former regime, making this an interesting story to watch heading into the season.
Linebackers (16th)
As excited as Giants fans are about Arvell Reese, their best linebacker entering the season is Tremaine Edmunds. A cap casualty in Chicago, Edmunds is the definition of a solid NFL starting linebacker. He’s not an elite player, but he’s more than capable of holding down the position, and the Giants brought him in to provide some much-needed stability.
Alongside him is first-round pick Arvell Reese, who begins his NFL career as an off-ball linebacker despite spending much of the pre-draft process being projected as an edge rusher. I actually preferred Reese as a linebacker, and perhaps the Giants did too, but their current roster construction also made this the obvious fit. Even while playing linebacker, though, I expect the Giants to take advantage of his athleticism by sending him on plenty of blitzes, allowing Edmunds to handle more of the traditional responsibilities in the middle. Reese’s versatility should give the coaching staff plenty of creative ways to deploy him throughout the season.
After being forced into a significant role over the past few years, Micah McFadden now settles into a backup role. I still expect him to see a healthy number of snaps, particularly in packages where Reese shifts over to the edge. Sixth-round rookie Jack Kelly is another option and will likely serve as Reese’s primary backup. He’s an athletic, blitz-oriented linebacker, but his instincts and coverage ability remain a work in progress.
Darius Muasau logged significant snaps last season but projects more as depth and a special teams contributor in 2026, which is probably where he fits best. Zaire Barnes and Cam Jones both face an uphill battle to make the roster, though each has value as a potential special teamer.
This linebacker room is surprisingly deep by NFL standards. Edmunds and Reese should form a perfectly respectable starting duo right away, and if Reese develops the way the Giants hope, this position group has a chance to become one of the strengths of the defense.
Cornerbacks (18th)
The Giants’ cornerback room has been up and down over the past few years, making it one of the tougher position groups to rank. Paulson Adebo is a very volatile starting corner, but his highs and lows ultimately balance out to a solid NFL starter, even if he’s probably stretched a bit as a true CB1. The fact that he’ll likely be matched up against opposing teams’ top receivers is a little concerning, but he’s also capable of making game-changing plays.
2024 third-round pick Dru Phillips may actually be the best corner on the roster, but he’s primarily a slot defender and should continue to play that role. The other boundary spot is expected to belong to Greg Newsome II. After being traded from Cleveland to Jacksonville last season, Newsome never quite found his footing before signing with the Giants this offseason. At his best, he’s looked like a quality starting corner, but he’s been far too inconsistent, which is why two teams have already moved on from him. He’s an intriguing reclamation project, but not someone you can count on to lock down one side of the field.
Former first-round pick Deonte Banks hasn’t developed the way the Giants had hoped, but he’s still an option if one of the starters struggles. The most exciting backup, though, might be second-round rookie Colton Hood, who received some late first-round buzz during the draft process. Hood is an outstanding press-man corner prospect, but he hasn’t shown nearly as much in zone coverage and will need to become a more complete player before earning a significant defensive role.
Art Green is expected to make the roster primarily because of his special teams value. He played zero defensive snaps last season and shouldn’t be expected to contribute much on defense. 2025 seventh-round pick Korie Black enters training camp firmly on the roster bubble but remains an intriguing developmental prospect if he sticks around. Nic Jones and Jarrick Bernard-Converse round out the group. Both have struggled to stick on NFL rosters, but they’re players I liked coming out of college and are worth keeping an eye on if they earn a spot.
It should also be noted, Rico Payton and UDFA Thaddeus Dixon, two players I thought had a chance to compete for roster spots, have been placed on season-ending IR.
This room is five deep, but none of those five players are completely secure. I ultimately think the Giants will find three quality starters from this group, but this ranking is far from set in stone given how much volatility exists at the position.
Safeties (15th)
At safety, the Giants landed the biggest free agent at the position during the 2025 offseason by signing Jevon Holland. Unfortunately for New York, Holland followed that contract with the worst season of his professional career. He was still a capable starting safety, but he wasn’t the impact player the Giants thought they were paying for. For their sake, they’ll be hoping he bounces back in 2026 and establishes himself as the leader of this secondary.
Alongside him, 2024 second-round pick Tyler Nubin put together a solid sophomore campaign and has developed into a quality starting safety. Holland and Nubin give the Giants a strong starting duo, while Ar’Darius Washington should also carve out an important role. Washington is more of a nickel defender than a traditional safety, but his versatility allows him to contribute in a variety of sub-packages.
Jason Pinnock is another valuable depth piece who can play multiple roles in the secondary and helps raise the floor of the room. Free agent addition Elijah Campbell and returning veteran Raheem Layne are likely competing for the final roster spot. Layne logged around 100 defensive snaps last season, but I’d probably lean toward Campbell. Beau Brade rounds out the group and projects as a practice squad player and special teams contributor.
Unlike the cornerback room, this safety group is much more stable, even if both Holland and Nubin still have room to improve. I have them ranked 15th entering the season, but if Holland returns to his previous level of play or Nubin takes another step forward, this could quietly become one of the better safety units in the league.
Defense (20th) – Front Seven (14th) – Coverage Unit (20th)
Heading into last season, the defense, especially the front seven, was clearly the defining strength of this team. Entering 2026, the roster feels much more balanced, with an exciting young offense complementing a relatively stable defense.
Defensive tackle is the biggest weakness, and there are still plenty of questions at cornerback, but this is a capable defense with enough talent to help elevate the rest of the roster. The front seven grades out well, although opposing offenses will likely devote plenty of attention to slowing down the Giants’ edge rushers. If Brian Burns and Abdul Carter are consistently facing double teams, generating pressure elsewhere could become a challenge.
The secondary projects as fairly average across the board. It’s a solid group, but it lacks a true lockdown corner and could struggle against some of the league’s better passing attacks.
Overall, this defense probably won’t be the reason the Giants lose games, but it also may not be the unit that consistently wins them either. That puts plenty of pressure on the young offense to sustain drives, finish possessions, and ultimately lead this team to more victories in 2026.
Specialists (32nd)
The special teams unit doesn’t look particularly strong on paper, and new coordinator Chris Horton will have his work cut out for him with this group. Right now, Ben Sauls is listed as the starting kicker. Sauls was a 2025 undrafted free agent who has yet to find a permanent home in the NFL. 2026 undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada may actually be the better option, and he’s who I expect to eventually win the job. Even so, he’s still completely unproven and has to rank near the bottom of the league entering the season.
Horton was able to bring over his punter from Baltimore, Jordan Stout, but Stout wasn’t particularly impressive with the Ravens either, creating another question mark. Evaluating long snappers from the outside is nearly impossible, but undrafted rookie Ben Mann appears to have been handed the starting job without any real competition.
The coverage units were respectable last season, but with a new coordinator and so many new faces, it’s difficult to know what to expect. Calvin Austin III, Deonte Banks, Braxton Berrios, Devin Singletary, and Ar’Darius Washington are all candidates to handle return duties, but none of them stand out as particularly dangerous returners.
Ultimately, somebody has to rank last. A team breaking in a new special teams coordinator, an unproven kicker, an unproven long snapper, and a below-average punter fits that description. Unproven doesn’t necessarily mean bad, but in a preseason ranking, I have the Giants 32nd on special teams.
Win Prediction (Under 7.5)
The Giants enter the season with their win total set at 7.5. I completely understand the optimism, but at this point in my rankings, 7.5 is a difficult number to get behind. Looking at the schedule, they do play many of their easier games at home, but I still don’t see enough wins to get them to the 8-9 record they’d need to cash the over.
The pieces are there for this to be a winning football club, but I just have to see it to believe it right now. With how much injury uncertainty and needed development from young players this Giants team has, it’s hard to envision the perfect world where they go over.
I love the Giants’ young core, but I think they’re still a year away from truly entering the playoff conversation and consistently turning that potential into wins.
