The New York Giants are entering a new era. They’ve hired John Harbaugh as their head coach, and the culture is shifting in the Meadowlands. With the NFL season right around the corner, who makes the cut in this Giants roster projection?
There’s no question about the Giants’ starting QB in 2026. Jaxson Dart started 12 games, throwing for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also rushed 86 times for 487 yards and nine more scores.
Backing up Dart will be 11-year veteran Jameis Winston, who’s entering his second season with New York.
The Giants currently roster six running backs: Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Damon Bankston, and Dante “Turbo” Miller.
Skattebo and Tracy will serve as the starting duo, with strong depth behind them. The two only played in six games together last year due to injuries. At full strength, they’ll be an exciting pairing in New York’s backfield.
The likeliest options behind Skattebo and Tracy are Devin Singletary and Damon Bankston. The latter is the youngest of the backups, and age will favor him.
New York’s wide receiver room looks a bit crowded right now, with over 10 players currently rostered. Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton are locks. The former is a third-year star coming off a torn ACL, while the latter is under contract through the 2027 season.
Outside of Nabers and Slayton, free agent acquisitions Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin will likely make the cut. The Giants traded up into the third round for Malachi Fields, so he’s another lock.
Rounding out the receiver room will be the returning Odell Beckham Jr. He reportedly stood out in practice and could be a great veteran leader for the young group. Free agent acquisition Braxton Berrios will likely make the cut due to his abilities as a returner.
The tight end situation in New York is much simpler than the receivers. The Giants signed former Baltimore Raven Isaiah Likely to a three-year, $40 million contract.
The Giants’ third-year tight end, Theo Johnson, has impressed so far and will make a great pairing with Likely. With Daniel Bellinger departing in free agency, Chris Manhertz and Thomas Fidone (currently on the PUP list) will round out the tight end group.
I’ll include Patrick Ricard here as well. The fullback was signed to a two-year, $7.63 million deal this offseason. He’ll play a large role in the run game, but isn’t necessarily known for catching many passes.
Andrew Thomas will start at left tackle, while the returning Jermaine Eluemunor will start opposite him at right tackle. On the interior line will be veteran Jon Runyan at left guard and John Michael-Schmitz at center.
Michael-Schmitz is entering the final year of his rookie deal, while Runyan is in the final year of a three-year, $30 million deal.
At right guard will be New York’s 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Francis Mauigoa. The former Miami tackle is making a switch to guard in the NFL.
Rounding out the line will be Marcus Mbow, sixth-round rookie J.C. Davis, and free agent acquisitions Daniel Faalele and Lucas Patrick.
After trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals, New York’s defensive tackle position will be a committee. D.J. Reader, Shelby Harris, Darius Alexander, Leki Fotu, Chauncey Golston, and rookie Bobby Jamison-Travis will hold down the line.
Sam Roberts has been removed from the PUP list and passed his physical. He may also make a push for a roster spot.
The Giants’ edge rushers might be the strongest area of the defense. Three-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns, former third overall pick Abdul Carter, and former fifth-overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux will be hunting QBs in 2026.
Thibodeaux is entering a contract year in 2026. Burns is coming off a 16.5-sack season, while Carter finally showed some fire toward the end of 2025. This is a trio to be excited about. Behind them will be Chauncey Golston rounding out the room.
New York upgraded its linebacker room in a major way this offseason. Big Blue drafted Ohio State standout Arvell Reese, fifth overall, and signed eight-year veteran Tremaine Edmunds in free agency.
Outside of Reese and Edmunds, the Giants re-signed Micah McFadden to a one-year, $3.75 million deal. They also drafted Jack Kelly 193rd overall, who had 15 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss in his two years at BYU.
Paulson Adebo is entering the second season of his three-year, $54 million contract with the Giants. He seems to be a lock for CB1, but who’s lining up with him?
New York selected Tennessee’s Colton Hood 37th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Greg Newsome will likely start before the rookie, while Dru Phillips, Deonte Banks, and Art Green round out the room.
When the Giants signed Adebo, they also signed safety Jevon Holland to a three-year, $45 million contract. The former Miami Dolphin logged one of the Giants’ nine interceptions last season.
2024 second-round pick Tyler Nubin and former Raven Ar’Darius Washington will serve as the second and third options. Elijah Campbell and Jason Pinnock will likely make the team as depth pieces as well.
The Giants are holding a battle between Ben Sauls and undrafted free agent Dominic Zvada. The latter seems to be the favorite in training camp.
Zvada was a first-team All-American in 2024 and an All-Big Ten selection in each of the last two years. Sauls appeared in three games last year for the Giants as a rookie. He made all eight of his field goal attempts and all seven extra points.
It’s unusual to get this in-depth about kickers, but the Giants have been a mess at the position. They deployed four different kickers last year, three in 2024, and four in 2023.
New York’s starting punter will be free agent acquisition Jordan Stout. The former Raven was signed to a three-year, $12.3 million deal, making him the highest-paid punter in NFL history.
Deonte Banks has struggled at CB, but showed real promise in the return game. He took a kick return to the house in Week 15. Austin and Berrios are likely candidates for returns as well.
Undrafted free agent Ben Mann is set to start at long snapper in 2026. Casey Kreiter held the position for six seasons before he departed in free agency.
The Giants have drafted well in back-to-back years, and made a real splash in free agency this offseason. With a new coach, a rising QB, and playmakers returning from injury, the new era in “The Big Apple” is an exciting one.
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