Fantasy Football Player Notes

Malik Nabers remains an elite talent, but his 2026 outlook is heavily tied to recovery from a complicated ACL injury that wiped out nearly all of his sophomore season. Before going down, Nabers was producing like a fantasy WR1 in the Giants' offense. The concern isn't ability — it's availability, especially after requiring a second procedure during rehab. Nabers still offers league-winning upside once fully healthy, but fantasy managers should build in the expectation of missed time and a slower early-season ramp-up.

The human battering ram known as Cam Skattebo made waves in his rookie season before being sidelined by a horrible ankle/fibula fracture that also ruptured his deltoid ligament in Week 8 of last season. In Weeks 2-7 as the Giants' workhorse, Skattebo averaged 19.5 touches and 96.3 total yards as the RB8 in fantasy points per game. I won't be surprised if Skattebo's per-touch efficiency is impacted for at least part of his 2026 season, if not the entire year, as he works his way back from last year's injury. If he's good to go, he should be the Giants' leading ball carrier this season. Last season, he was stellar with his touches, ranking fourth in missed tackle rate and yards after contact per attempt, 11th in target per route run rate, eighth in yards per route run, and second in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). He's best viewed as a volume-driven RB2, but I won't be shocked if he's an RB1 this season.

After selecting edge rusher Abdul Carter No. 3 overall in last year's NFL Draft, the Giants traded back into the first round to grab Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss at No. 25. That move looks shrewd so far, as Dart acquitted himself extremely well in 12 starts last year despite having a skeleton crew of pass catchers following a season-ending injury to WR Malik Nabers. Dart completed 63.7% of his throws and averaged a respectable 6.7 yards per pass attempt, with 15 touchdown passes and five interceptions. Dart was dynamic as a runner, racking up 487 rushing yards and nine TD runs. But Dart was also a reckless runner at times. He took some hard hits, including one against the Bears in Week 10 that resulted in a concussion. But it's appealing to fantasy managers that Dart is such a willing and able runner. Two reasons for concern: (1) Nabers has reportedly been slow to recover from his knee injury; and (2) new Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy isn't considered one of the NFL's top offensive designers.

After spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Ravens, Isaiah Likely signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Giants. Likely shared targets with Mark Andrews for four years and could see increased usage with his new team. The Giants are thin at wide receiver behind young star Malik Nabers, and Nabers has been slow to recover from an ACL tear sustained last September, leaving his early-season status in question. Likely's best season with the Ravens was in 2024, when he had 42 catches for 477 yards and six TDs. He never saw more than 60 targets in any of his four seasons in Baltimore. The world saw Likely's potential when he had nine catches for 111 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens' nationally televised season opener against the Chiefs in 2024. With an expected target increase in 2026, Likely has a chance to be a top-10 fantasy tight end.

Tyrone Tracy slots in as a strong handcuff this season. If Cam Skattebo is fully healthy, I expect him to lead New York's backfield, but if he can't stay healthy in 2026 (very possible), Tracy could be a plug-and-play RB2. Last year, Tracy had another nice run as the Giants' starting back. In Weeks 10-18, he was the RB14 in fantasy points per game, averaging 18.7 touches and 95.5 total yards. Overall, among 49 qualifying backs, he ranked 27th in explosive run rate and 31st in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). If Skattebo misses any games, you'll be glad you drafted Tracy.

Darnell Mooney could quietly emerge as an important veteran presence in the Giants' offense after reuniting with OC Matt Nagy in New York on a one-year deal. Injuries derailed his 2025 season in Atlanta, but Mooney still brings proven downfield ability and prior 1,000-yard production to a WR room searching for stability behind Malik Nabers. His vertical skill set meshes well with Jaxson Dart's aggressive style of play, and he should compete for meaningful snaps early in the season while Nabers works his way back. Among the Giants' veteran receivers, Mooney offers the most fantasy intrigue entering 2026.

Malachi Fields lands in an intriguing spot with the Giants after being selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-5 receiver brings size and downfield ability to New York's offense, flashing strong ball skills and separation ability throughout the pre-draft process despite a disappointing Combine 40 time. Fields profiles as a strong fit alongside Jaxson Dart given his vertical play style, and Malik Nabers' injury could open the door for early-season opportunities. He's an intriguing rookie stash with upside if he earns immediate snaps during training camp.