The New York Giants aren't just in a transition phase; they’re in the middle of a total identity crisis. If you haven't been keeping up with the daily transaction wire, looking at the Giants depth chart right now probably feels like reading a different language. Daniel Jones is gone. Brian Daboll was shown the door after that miserable collapse against the Bears in November 2025. And the roster? It’s a mix of high-priced veterans and rookies trying to figure out which end is up.
Most fans are still stuck thinking about the 2022 playoff run. That’s a mistake. This team is fundamentally different from the one that beat Minnesota a few years back. Honestly, if you aren't looking at the depth chart through the lens of the 2025 draft and the massive coaching turnover, you’re missing the real story of where Big Blue is headed.
The Quarterback Carousel: Life After Daniel Jones
It happened. After years of "is he or isn't he," the Giants finally cut ties with Daniel Jones in late 2024. He’s currently having a bizarrely successful resurgence in Indianapolis, while the Giants are left with a room that looks like a "Who's Who" of different career trajectories.
At the top, you've got Jaxson Dart. The kid from Ole Miss was the big swing in the 2025 draft. He’s got the arm, and he’s shown some serious wheels—rushing for 9 touchdowns already—but his completion percentage is sitting at a shaky 58%. It's the classic rookie experience: one play he looks like a franchise savior, the next he’s throwing a pass into triple coverage that makes you want to turn off the TV.
Backing him up is a pair of veterans who couldn't be more different. You’ve got Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson. Think about that. The "Famous Jameis" experience and "Mr. Unlimited" are both sitting in that meeting room. It’s a weird dynamic, but it gives the Giants some insurance if Dart’s interceptions keep piling up.
The Skill Positions: Nabers, Robinson, and the Missing Pieces
Malik Nabers was supposed to be the guy. And for a while, he was. But that ACL tear in October 2025 changed everything. With Nabers on IR, the Giants depth chart had to shuffle fast.
Wan’Dale Robinson has stepped up in a massive way, crossing the 1,000-yard mark and becoming the safety net for Dart. He’s basically the only consistent thing about this offense right now. Darius Slayton is still there, doing Darius Slayton things—reliable, but not a true #1.
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The backfield is just as chaotic. Tyrone Tracy Jr. has emerged as the primary guy, putting up over 700 yards, but the loss of Cam Skattebo to an ankle injury really hurt their short-yardage game. They’re rotating Devin Singletary and Eric Gray, but it feels like they’re just trying to survive until the offseason.
A Defense Built on the Edge
If there’s one reason to be hopeful, it’s the pass rush. The Giants front office might have whiffed on the offensive line (again), but they hit a home run with the defense.
- Brian Burns: He’s been a monster, racking up 16.5 sacks. He’s finally playing like the superstar the Giants paid for.
- Abdul Carter: The first-round pick from Penn State has been a revelation. Pairing him with Burns gives the Giants one of the most athletic edge duos in the league.
- Dexter Lawrence: Still the anchor. Even in a "down" year for him, he’s the reason the middle of the line doesn't just cave in every play.
The problem is the secondary. Paulson Adebo has been solid since coming over from New Orleans, but the rest of the unit is a revolving door of young guys like Deonte Banks and Dru Phillips who are getting a "trial by fire" every Sunday.
The Offensive Line Struggle
It’s the same old story. Andrew Thomas is on IR with a hamstring issue, and the left side of the line has been a disaster ever since. Marcus Mbow and Jon Runyan are trying, but the Giants are currently ranked near the bottom of the league in sack percentage allowed. You can’t develop a rookie QB if he’s running for his life on 40% of his dropbacks.
Why the Current Depth Chart is Misleading
You can't just look at the names on the paper. You have to look at the "Interim" tags. With Mike Kafka serving as the interim head coach, the way these players are being used is in flux. Kafka is auditioning for the full-time job, which means he’s leaning heavily on the veterans like Russell Wilson when things get tight, even if it stunts Jaxson Dart’s growth a bit.
There’s also a massive amount of "dead weight" that likely won't be here in 2026. Players like Greg Van Roten and Aaron Stinnie are short-term fixes. The real Giants depth chart for the future is built around the 2024 and 2025 draft classes. If those guys don't take a leap soon, this rebuild is going to take a lot longer than fans want to admit.
Key Stats to Watch
- Turnover Margin: -0.1 (middle of the pack, but mostly due to Dart's rookie mistakes).
- Red Zone Scoring: 47.46% (ranked 27th—this is where the offense dies).
- Sack Rate: Brian Burns is carrying the team here, but the secondary needs to hold up for more than two seconds.
What's Next for the Giants?
Looking ahead, the 2026 offseason is going to be another teardown. Joe Schoen survived the Daboll firing, but his seat is scorching. He has to fix the offensive line once and for all. If you're following this team, keep an eye on the "Futures" signings and the practice squad call-ups like Reid Holskey or Tanner Conner. These are the guys who might actually be fighting for roster spots when the next permanent head coach arrives.
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Basically, the Giants are a team with a few elite stars (Burns, Lawrence, Nabers when healthy) and a whole lot of question marks. The depth chart isn't a finished product; it's a rough draft.
Actionable Insights for Giants Fans:
- Monitor Jaxson Dart's progression: Specifically his "Passes Deflected" and "Interception %" in the final weeks. If he doesn't show better decision-making, the Giants might be in the QB market again sooner than you think.
- Watch the O-Line rotation: With Andrew Thomas out, pay attention to Marcus Mbow’s development at tackle. If he can't hold the edge, tackle becomes the #1 priority in the 2026 draft.
- Check the 2026 Salary Cap: The Giants have some big contracts (Wilson, Winston) coming off the books, which will give them the room to finally address the secondary and offensive line depth.