John Harbaugh may be new to the Giants sideline, but he’s already making his first roster move - and it’s a familiar type of transaction for this time of year. While free agency doesn’t officially kick off until March, teams are allowed to sign players to reserve/future contracts, essentially locking in practice squad talent before they hit the open market. These deals rarely make headlines, but they can offer a glimpse into how a new regime plans to build its roster.
Harbaugh’s first move? Signing former Steelers defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal to a futures deal. It’s not a splashy addition, but it’s notable for one reason: it’s the first roster decision under the Harbaugh era in New York.
And no, this isn’t a case of Harbaugh raiding the Ravens’ practice squad for familiar faces. Instead, he’s reaching across enemy lines, plucking a player from Baltimore’s longtime AFC North rival. Leal, a 2022 third-round pick by Pittsburgh, now gets a second chance in the NFL - this time in blue.
Let’s be real: this isn’t the kind of move that shakes up the offseason. It’s not a headline-grabber, and it’s not meant to be. But it’s still worth unpacking what Leal brings and what this might signal for the Giants' plans on defense.
Coming out of Texas A&M, Leal was once viewed as an intriguing hybrid talent. In his final college season, he racked up 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, flashing the kind of disruptive ability that made him a Day 2 pick. At 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, he had the size to play inside but enough athleticism to slide outside - or so the thinking went.
Fast forward to his time with the Steelers, and that projection never quite materialized. In 32 games over two seasons, Leal managed just one sack, three tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits. That’s not the kind of production you hope for from a top-100 pick, and it’s why he became available in the first place.
So why take a flyer on him?
This is where Harbaugh’s eye for defensive talent comes into play. Leal’s physical tools haven’t changed - he’s still a big-bodied lineman with some versatility - but the question is whether the Giants can find a role that actually fits.
He’s too light to be a true interior anchor and not quite explosive enough to win consistently on the edge. That “tweener” label has followed him since draft day, and it’s part of what’s made his NFL transition so difficult.
Still, if the Giants are looking to beef up the defensive line rotation, there’s a potential opening next to Dexter Lawrence. That interior spot has been a revolving door, and if Leal can provide even rotational value, it’s a low-risk move that could pay off. He’s only 25, and sometimes, all it takes is the right scheme and coaching staff to unlock a player’s potential.
Harbaugh and his staff clearly see something worth exploring. Maybe it’s a specific role in sub-packages.
Maybe it’s a developmental project with upside. Either way, this is the kind of move that doesn’t cost much but could help build depth - especially in the trenches, where games are often won or lost.
For now, Giants fans shouldn’t expect fireworks. This isn’t the big-name signing or blockbuster trade that will define the offseason.
But it is the start of a new era, and every roster build begins with small steps. Harbaugh’s first one might not be flashy, but it shows he’s already evaluating talent beyond the surface - and that he’s willing to take chances on players who still have something to prove.
Free agency is still weeks away, and the real roster reshaping is yet to come. But this quiet move could be a preview of how Harbaugh plans to construct his version of the Giants - one calculated, low-risk bet at a time.