The New York Giants have been a total rollercoaster lately. Honestly, if you're a fan, you've probably spent more time looking at mock drafts than actual game film over the last few years. But something is shifting. We aren't just talking about "rebuilding" anymore. We're talking about a roster that finally has some high-end, terrifying talent, even if the win-loss record doesn't always reflect it yet.
General Manager Joe Schoen is officially staying for 2026, which means the vision remains the same. But with Brian Daboll gone, the "who" on the field is becoming even more important than the "who" on the headset.
The Face of the Franchise: Jaxson Dart
Let’s be real. The quarterback situation has been a headache since Eli walked away. But Jaxson Dart changed the energy in East Rutherford the second he stepped onto the grass. He wasn't just a "safe" pick; he was a "swing for the fences" move when the Giants traded back into the first round (25th overall) to snag him.
Most people thought it would take a year for him to adjust. They were wrong. Dart threw for 2,272 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025, showing a level of mobility and "it" factor we haven't seen in years. He also ran for 9 touchdowns. Nine! That’s basically a cheat code in the red zone. He’s already been nominated for Pepsi Rookie of the Year, which tells you everything you need to know about his trajectory.
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A New Terror on the Edge: Abdul Carter
While Dart is the face, Abdul Carter is the hammer. Taking a linebacker/edge hybrid at No. 3 overall is a massive statement. You don’t do that unless you think the guy is the next Micah Parsons or Lawrence Taylor.
Carter joined a defensive line that already had Brian Burns (who just made All-Pro with 16.5 sacks) and Dexter Lawrence. It’s almost unfair. By the end of the 2025 season, Carter was absolutely wrecking game plans. He’s part of the reason why the Giants' front four is now considered one of the most expensive—and productive—units in the NFL.
The Under-the-Radar Playmakers
Everyone talks about the first-rounders, but the 2025 season gave us some weird, unexpected heroes.
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- Cam Skattebo: The Arizona State kid was a revelation. He’s basically a human bowling ball. Before his injury, he was proving to be a legitimate threat out of the backfield, and he’s already itching to get back for 2026.
- Jevon Holland: Bringing in Holland on a three-year, $45 million deal was a huge "get." Losing Xavier McKinney a while back hurt, but Holland is younger, faster, and arguably has a higher ceiling.
- Paulson Adebo: The secondary was a mess, so Schoen backed up the truck for Adebo ($54 million over three years). It’s a lot of money, but you can’t play defense in this league if you can't cover a WR1.
What’s Happening Right Now?
We are currently in that weird January limbo. The Giants just signed a bunch of guys to Reserve/Future contracts. Basically, these are "lottery tickets"—players the team wants to keep around for training camp to see if they can catch lightning in a bottle.
On January 7, 2026, the team locked up seven of these guys, including linebacker Swayze Bozeman, tight end Tanner Conner, and cornerback Myles Purchase. Are they going to be stars? Probably not. But depth is what wins games in December when everyone is nursing a hamstring injury.
Also, keep an eye on Marlon Tuipulotu. The Giants just signed him to a futures deal after he finished the season with the Chiefs. He’s a big, 300-pound run-stuffer. With the Giants holding the No. 5 pick in the upcoming 2026 Draft, they might still go for an elite interior lineman like Peter Woods, but having Tuipulotu as a depth piece behind Dexter Lawrence is a smart, veteran move.
The Defensive Secondary Shuffle
Losing Wan'Dale Robinson to IR at the end of the season was a gut punch. He finally hit that 1,000-yard milestone, only to get sidelined. That opened the door for Xavier Gipson and Dante Miller to get some run. Gipson is shifty. Miller is fast.
The cornerback room is still a bit of a question mark, though. Cor'Dale Flott and Rakeem Nuñez-Roches are heading toward free agency. This means the "new players" we see in 2026 might look very different from the 2025 squad.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you're trying to track where this team is going, don't just look at the stars. Look at the trenches.
- Watch the No. 5 Pick: The Giants are in prime position to grab another "blue chip" defender or a cornerstone offensive tackle. If they go defense, this could be the best D-line in football.
- The Head Coach Search: Joe Schoen is leading the charge. Whether they land a big fish like John Harbaugh or a rising coordinator, the "newest" player is actually the one calling the plays.
- Salary Cap Health: With big contracts like Burns, Holland, and Adebo on the books, the Giants have to be careful. Expect fewer "splash" free agents and more "underrated" signings like the Tuipulotu move.
The Giants aren't "fixed" yet. Not even close. But for the first time in a decade, the new players coming into the building actually feel like they belong on a winning roster. Now, they just need to stay healthy and find someone who can coach them into the playoffs.
The 2026 season officially starts now. Keep an eye on those futures signings—they usually tell you exactly what the front office is worried about. In this case? It's all about depth and grit.