The New York Giants are currently in a weird, transitional purgatory. If you haven't checked the depth chart since the middle of the season, you’re basically looking at a totally different football team today.
Injuries didn't just bite the Giants in 2025; they swallowed the roster whole. Honestly, it’s a miracle they managed to scrape together enough healthy bodies to finish the season. With the 2025 campaign officially wrapped and the 2026 offseason just kicking off this January, the roster is a mix of high-upside rookies, bridge veterans, and a massive list of guys currently on Injured Reserve (IR) or living on "Reserve/Future" contracts.
The Jaxson Dart Era Has Officially Begun
Let’s talk about the most important name on the New York York Giants roster today: Jaxson Dart.
The rookie from Ole Miss didn't just take the starting job; he snatched it. After the team moved on from the Brian Daboll era ten games into the season, interim coach Mike Kafka handed the keys to Dart. It wasn't always pretty. He threw for a miserable 33 yards against the Vikings in late December, which had some fans panicking. But he finished strong, leading the G-Men to two straight wins to close out the year.
Dart isn't just a pocket passer. He’s fearless. Maybe too fearless. He’s already dealt with multiple concussions this year because he refuses to slide. If he's going to be the guy in 2026, he’s gotta learn that taking a hit from an NFL linebacker isn't the same as trucking a college safety. Behind him, you’ve got the ultimate "Vibe King" backup Jameis Winston and the veteran Russell Wilson, though Wilson’s future with the team is murky at best as he heads toward free agency.
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A Receiving Corp in Shambles
If you’re looking for Malik Nabers on the field today, you won’t find him.
The superstar rookie’s season ended way back in October with a torn ACL. It’s the kind of injury that changes a franchise's trajectory. Currently, the wide receiver room is a revolving door. Wan'Dale Robinson is on IR with rib issues. Darius Slayton is still the steady hand, but the depth is being filled by names like Xavier Gipson and Dalen Cambre—guys who were on the practice squad just a few weeks ago.
Current Offensive Playmakers (Health Permitting)
- RB: Cam Skattebo (The Arizona State rookie was a beast before an ankle injury landed him on IR), Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary.
- WR: Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt (dealing with an illness lately), Xavier Gipson.
- TE: Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger (impending free agent).
Theo Johnson has quietly become a favorite target for Dart. With the veteran Chris Manhertz mostly used for blocking, Johnson is the one stretching the seam. But even he’s been banged up lately, missing the season finale with an illness.
The Trenches: A Massive Question Mark
You can’t talk about the Giants without talking about the offensive line. It’s been a revolving door for a decade, and right now, it’s as unstable as ever. Andrew Thomas, the literal anchor of the team, ended the year on IR with a hamstring injury. Center John Michael Schmitz Jr. is out with a finger injury.
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Basically, the Giants are currently looking at a "patchwork" unit. Marcus Mbow and James Hudson III are getting snaps they probably shouldn't be getting yet. Jon Runyan and Jermaine Eluemunor are the veterans holding the group together, but Eluemunor is an impending free agent. Joe Schoen has some serious work to do this spring if he doesn't want Jaxson Dart running for his life again in September.
Defense: Dexter Lawrence and Everyone Else
On the defensive side of the ball, everything starts and ends with "Sexy Dexy." Dexter Lawrence II is still the best nose tackle in football, period. But the guys around him have changed.
The Giants made a splash by bringing in edge rusher Brian Burns, and pairing him with Kayvon Thibodeaux was supposed to be a nightmare for QBs. Then Thibodeaux hit the IR with a shoulder injury in late December. Enter Abdul Carter. The rookie linebacker has been a revelation. He’s vocal, he’s fast, and he’s already acting like a leader in the locker room.
The secondary is... well, it’s young. Deonte Banks has had a roller coaster of a year. He actually lost his starting spot to Cor’Dale Flott for a bit before Flott went down with a knee injury. Right now, Paulson Adebo is the veteran presence back there, but the safety spot is hurting with Tyler Nubin and Jevon Holland both dealing with late-season injuries.
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What’s Next for the Giants Roster?
The 2026 NFL Draft is where the real changes happen. The Giants currently hold the No. 5 overall pick. While they likely won't take another QB given Dart's late-season surge, they desperately need a blue-chip offensive lineman or another weapon to pair with a (hopefully) healthy Malik Nabers.
Actionable Roster Insights:
- Watch the Free Agency Wire: Keep a close eye on Daniel Bellinger and Wan'Dale Robinson. Both are key pieces of the young core whose futures are technically "impending."
- Monitor the Rehab: The 2026 season depends entirely on Malik Nabers' knee and Andrew Thomas' hamstring. If those two aren't 100% by training camp, Dart is in trouble.
- Check the Reserve/Future Signings: Names like Marlon Tuipulotu and Swayze Bozeman might sound like random Madden generated players, but these are the guys who will be fighting for special teams spots in August.
The Giants aren't a finished product. Not even close. But for the first time in a while, it feels like the foundation—specifically at quarterback and pass rush—is actually starting to set. Now they just need to stay off the injury report.
Next Steps for Big Blue Fans: To get a jump on the 2026 season, start scouting the top offensive tackle prospects for the upcoming draft. With the 5th pick, the Giants are in a prime position to find a long-term partner for Andrew Thomas. Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl rosters released this week, as several potential Giants targets are set to participate.