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
Team Needs: DT, WR, OG, CB, RB
2026 Free Agents Key Losses:
WR Wan’Dale Robinson, CB Cordale Flott, C Austin Schlottmann, LB Bobby Okereke
2026 Free Agents:
- QB: Russell Wilson
- WR: Bryce Ford-Wheaton (RFA), Ryan Miller (ERFA)
- TE: Chris Manhertz, Daniel Bellinger
- OL: LT James Hudson, G Evan Neal, G Greg Van Roten,
- EDGE: Victor Dimukeje, Zaire Barnes (RFA), Caleb Murphy (RFA)
- DL: Rakeem Nunez-Roches, D.J. Davidson
- LB: Chris Board, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Neville Hewitt, Micah McFadden
- CB: Nic Jones (ERFA), Art Green (ERFA), Anthony Johnson Jr.
- S: Dane Belton
- ST: LS Casey Kreiter
2027 Free Agents:
- QB: Jameis Winston
- RB: Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Dante Miller (RFA)
- WR: Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin, Jalin Hyatt, Tanner Conner, Xavier Gipson, Dalen Cambre (ERFA), Isaiah Hodgins, Gunner Olszewski
- OL: G Aaron Stinnie, OG Evan Neal, G Jon Runyan, LT James Hudson, C John Michael Schmitz, G Jake Kubas (ERFA), G Reid Holskey (ERFA), C Bryan Hudson (ERFA), G Joshua Ezeudu
- EDGE: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DeMarvin Leal, Swayze Bozeman (RFA), Trace Ford (ERFA)
- DL: Roy Robertson-Harris, Marlon Tuipulotu, Elijah Chatman (ERFA)
- CB: Jason Pinnock, Greg Newsome, Deonte Banks (CLUB), Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Rico Payton (RFA), Korie Black (ERFA), Myles Purchase (ERFA)
- S: Elijah Campbell, Raheem Layne (RFA), Patrick McMorris (ERFA), Beau Brade (RFA)
- ST: K Graham Gano, Ben Sauls (ERFA)
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. In free agency, they did next to nothing to improve that unit further.
Furthermore, on defense, another CB is needed. Cor’Dale Flott departed in free agency, and Deonte Banks has been a first-round bust.
They signed Greg Newsome to a one-year deal.
The Giants don’t need a safety per se… as Tyler Nubin and Jevon Holland are under contract through 2028. Ar’Darius Washington signed a one-year deal (coming from Baltimore).
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 was cut after leading the team in tackles in 2025 ($9M in savings as an impending 2027 free agent). The Giants added Tremaine Edmunds at linebacker.
Tight end Isaiah Likely reunited with Harbaugh, pouring cold water on Theo Johnson‘s third-year prospects. They also signed FB, Patrick Ricard.
WR also remains a need given Robinson’s departure to the Titans. 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.
A lot of the discourse regarding Nabers’ availability is that they are ‘hopeful’ he will be ready for training camp. It’s been reported that Nabers is working with the same doctor who did Stefon Diggs’ ACL rehab, which actually worked very well after a bit of a sluggish start.
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 Darnell Mooney. So not too surprising to see the Giants sign Mooney to a one-year contract after he was cut from the Falcons.
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. Hollywood Brown eventually signed a one-year deal with the Eagles.
The other moves they have made at WR are the additions of Isaiah Hodgins and Calvin Austin.
Wouldn’t be shocked if WR was the target for Harbaugh in Round 1. He hasn’t been shy about selecting WRs in the first round, ie. Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and the aforementioned Marquise Brown.
Across the offensive line, three starters from last season were 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. They were able to re-sign RT Jermaine Eluemunor to a three-year deal. With Jon Runyan under contract for one more season, they just need one more OG spot addressed. G Aaron Stinnie was also brought back on a one-year deal.
Although I don’t think the Giants would draft/sign an RB in free agency, we are getting reports/smoke that suggest otherwise.
Cam Skattebo is coming off a season-ending injury, and Tyrone Tracy also missed time last season. The Giants have been heavily connected to RBs this offseason and seem smitten by Jeremiyah Love with the 5th overall pick.
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