The New York Giants sit in one of the NFL’s most uncomfortable draft zones: not quite rock-bottom, but nowhere near true contention. With a top-10 pick and major contract decisions looming, Big Blue has to nail the balance between fixing glaring roster holes now and building a foundation that won’t collapse in 2026.
This Giants-focused breakdown lays out the biggest roster needs, key 2026/2027 free agents, and how New York’s offseason priorities could ripple into fantasy football—especially at wide receiver, tight end, and the trenches.
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Pick 5: New York Giants
2026 Free Agents:
- QB: Russell Wilson
- WR: Wan’Dale Robinson, Gunner Olszewski, Isaiah Hodgins, Bryce Ford-Wheaton (RFA), Ryan Miller (ERFA)
- TE: Chris Manhertz, Daniel Bellinger
- OL: RT Jermaine Eluemunor, G Evan Neal, G Greg Van Roten, G Joshua Ezeudu, G Aaron Stinnie, C Austin Schlottmann
- EDGE: Victor Dimukeje, Zaire Barnes (RFA), Caleb Murphy (RFA)
- DL: Rakeem Nunez-Roches, D.J. Davidson
- LB: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Neville Hewitt, Micah McFadden
- CB: Cordale Flott, Nic Jones (ERFA), Art Green (ERFA)
- S: Dane Belton
- ST: LS Casey Kreiter
2027 Free Agents:
- QB: Jameis Winston
- RB: Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Dante Miller (RFA)
- WR: Jalin Hyatt, Tanner Conner, Xavier Gipson, Dalen Cambre (ERFA)
- OL: G Jon Runyan, LT James Hudson, C John Michael Schmitz, G Jake Kubas (ERFA), G Reid Holskey (ERFA), C Bryan Hudson (ERFA)
- EDGE: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DeMarvin Leal, Swayze Bozeman (RFA), Trace Ford (ERFA)
- DL: Roy Robertson-Harris, Marlon Tuipulotu, Elijah Chatman (ERFA)
- LB: Bobby Okereke, Chris Board
- CB: Deonte Banks (CLUB), Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Anthony Johnson Jr., Rico Payton (RFA), Korie Black (ERFA), Myles Purchase (ERFA)
- S: Raheem Layne (RFA), Patrick McMorris (ERFA), Beau Brade (RFA)
- ST: K Graham Gano, Ben Sauls (ERFA)
Team Needs: DT, WR, OG, OT, CB
New York ranked second-worst in the league in run defense in 2025. They need to bolster that defensive interior under the new head coach, John Harbaugh.
Furthermore, on defense, another CB is needed. Cor’Dale Flott is a free agent, and Deonte Banks has been a first-round bust.
The Giants don’t need a safety per se… as Tyler Nubin and Jevon Holland are under contract through 2028.
But Nubin regressed in his second season. Under a new coaching staff, there’s no allegiance to the former second-round safety that finished fourth-worst in run defense grade last year per PFF.
Adding somebody like Ohio State safety Caleb Downs makes a ton of sense for a team looking to improve tenfold on defense.
The G-Men also hired a former defensive back, Dennard Wilson, as their new defensive coordinator (former Titans DC).
And it’s hardly a stretch to think that Harbaugh would be opposed to taking a “safety” this high, given he has drafted safeties in the first round before (Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks).
LB Bobby Okereke might get cut after leading the team in tackles in 2025 ($9M in savings as an impending 2027 free agent).
Big Blue is also very much in play to add another TE option. FA tight end Isaiah Likely could reunite with Harbaugh. That would pour cold water on Theo Johnson‘s third-year prospects.
WR remains up in the air given Robinson’s FA status. Malik Nabers is coming off a season-ending ACL and meniscus tear. Possibly, he misses one or two weeks to start the year (PUP candidate), but eventually, he will get going and get back to form.
#NFL Injury Updates#Giants Malik Nabers – ACL + meniscus. Oct surgery. Data = favorable. Wouldn't read into crutch at 10 wks
Avg = 10-11 months (Aug-Sept) + 4-6 wk volume ramp up
Players age <25 w/elite pre-injury athletic metrics (92-98 %ile) tend to regain production
1/9
— Deepak Chona, MD. SMA (@SportMDAnalysis) February 9, 2026
Matt Nagy – new Giants OC – also drafted Cole Kmet in the second round as HC of the Bears. Kmet has been the subject of trade rumors. The former Chiefs OC also drafted David Montgomery and Darnell Mooney. So, should any of these former Bears hit the open market, don’t be shocked to see them get scooped up by Big Blue.
Greg Roman was also added to the offensive coaching staff (senior offensive assistant).
WR Marquise Brown is a free agent and has played for all three of Harbaugh, Roman, and Nagy.
Across the offensive line, three starters from last season are free agents (two guards and a tackle). OT Andrew Thomas is a stud when healthy, but the rest of the offensive line needs to be addressed during FA and the NFL draft.
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