Fantasy Football Player Notes

Last year, before he was lost to a torn ACL (with subsequent meniscus damage), Malik Nabers was the WR9 in fantasy points per game. In Weeks 1-3, he drew a 26.4% target share with 83.7 receiving yards per game, 2.15 yards per route run, and a 41.5% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Those are all elite WR1 per game numbers no matter how you slice it. The worry surrounding Nabers this season is the recovery from the devastating knee injury. The early returns in camp have been positive. Nabers looks good from the few practice routes I have seen, displaying good acceleration off the line and precision with his route breaks. There are also concerns with Matt Nagy's hiring as the new offensive coordinator for the Giants. I'm willing to buy into Nabers at his ADP with more and more positive reports coming out. I don't plan on being overweight on him this season across my leagues, but he has moved from my do-not-draft list to a player I'm willing to absorb the risk depending upon my team build.

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 could 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). With his preseason usage calling his workhorse status into question, Skattebo should be viewed as an RB2 on worrisome ground. The signing of Najee Harris doesn't help his outlook either.

Last year, once taking over as the Giants starter, Jaxson Dart was the QB7 in fantasy points per game. If you remove the wet fart game that he had in Week 16 against Minnesota, where he scored only one fantasy point and had 13 pass attempts and 33 passing yards, he averaged 22.5 fantasy points per game. That points-per-game mark would have made him the QB1 in fantasy points per game last year. Dart showed off his rushing ability, averaging seven rushing attempts and 40.6 rushing yards per game. He had the second-most rushing yards per game among quarterbacks last year behind only Justin Fields. Dart also wasn't a lackluster passer last year. Among 38 qualifying passers, he was 23rd in CPOE, 19th in highly accurate throw rate, and tenth in hero throw rate (per Fantasy Points Data). Dart was also fifth in fantasy points per dropback while dealing with the 12th-highest drop rate among quarterbacks. Dart is positioned to be a strong QB1 again this year with upside.

Isaiah Likely's 2025 season was crushed by a foot injury that he sustained in the preseason. I can't honestly tell you that he was fully healthy last season, or when that occurred, if so. I'm tossing his 2025 campaign in the trash. So, let's be kind and rewind to 2024. During that season, among 57 qualifying tight ends, Likely ranked 17th in target per route run rate, tenth in yards per route run, and eighth in first downs per route run and fantasy points per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). After signing a lucrative deal with the Giants this offseason, Likely should be their clear starting tight end and a strong part of their passing game, with only Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton, Calvin Austin, and Malachi Fields to contend with for targets behind Malik Nabers. Likely could easily be a solid TE1 this season and is worth a late-round dart in a ton of drafts in 2026.

Tyrone Tracy could be the handcuff to roster in the Giants' backfield, but the signing of Najee Harris and Tracy blowing a pass-pro assignment in Week 1 of the preseason call that into question. 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). With this backfield workload division up in the air, I'm avoiding Tracy in drafts.

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.

Last year, we only got a brief glimpse of Najee Harris after a Fourth of July fireworks incident where he injured one of his eyes, and then, unfortunately, he tore his Achilles during the season. With Harris's 15-carry sample last year, he did post a stellar 3.33 yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Harris lands with the Giants on a one-year deal to compete for work with Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy. Harris is reunited with Greg Roman, who he worked with last year while with the Bolts, and there's a Harbaugh connection, although he was John's brother in 2025. I would be surprised if John didn't speed dial Jim before his Giants' contract was signed. In 2024, Harris finished as the RB25 in fantasy points per game with 299 touches and 1,326 total yards. During that season, among 46 qualifying backs, Harris ranked 15th in missed tackle rate and 27th in yards after contact per attempt. Harris is a decent late-round flier in drafts who could be the preferred handcuff behind Cam Skattebo, with the upside to challenge him for the lead back job if he is all the way back from his injuries last season.