Eli Manning knows a thing or two about building a successful offense in New York. So when the two-time Super Bowl champ weighs in on how the Giants can support young quarterback Jaxson Dart heading into Year 2, it’s worth listening.
Speaking recently about the team’s offensive outlook, Manning zeroed in on one key area for improvement: adding a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver to pair with rising star Malik Nabers.
“I definitely agree that they probably need a true No. 2 to go with Malik Nabers,” Manning said. “Some of the best offenses are doing that high-powered.
I don’t know if they need to do that in the draft, or it kind of depends on free agency. I wouldn’t mind if there’s a good free agent receiver that could be that No. 2, kind of that 1B almost.”
That “1B” designation is telling. Manning isn’t just talking about a complementary piece-he’s talking about someone who can take pressure off Nabers, stretch defenses, and give Dart another trusted option in the passing game. It’s a formula we’ve seen work across the league: pair a dynamic WR1 with a strong WR2, and suddenly the offense opens up in ways that make life a whole lot easier for a young quarterback.
The Giants have already seen flashes of what Nabers can do. Before a knee injury in Week 5 against the Chargers cut his 2025 season short, he was putting together a strong campaign-18 catches on 35 targets for 271 yards and two touchdowns in just four games. That followed a breakout rookie season in 2024, when he earned a Pro Bowl selection and finished fifth in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Manning also pointed out the value of bringing in a veteran presence-not just to produce on the field, but to help guide Nabers as he continues to develop into one of the league’s premier receivers. That kind of mentorship can be invaluable, especially for a young wideout working with a second-year quarterback.
Whether the Giants look to the draft or free agency to find that second weapon remains to be seen. But the need is clear. With Dart showing promise and Nabers already proving he can be a difference-maker, adding another reliable target could be the next big step in turning this offense into something special.
Manning’s message? Surround your young quarterback with the right pieces, and good things will follow.
The Giants have the foundation. Now it’s about building the rest.