The New York Giants aren’t getting tossed into the NFL’s bottom tier in Week 1 power rankings, but they’re not earning much trust, either. Across 12 rankings pulled together here, they land at 23.5 - basically 23rd if you’re feeling optimistic, 24th if you’re not. That’s a pretty clear sign the league is curious about John Harbaugh’s group, but not ready to buy into a big leap just yet.
A lot of the skepticism comes down to what happens right away. The Ringer slots the Giants at No. 24 and points to an early stretch that will tell the story fast, with the Cowboys and Rams coming in prime time in back-to-back weeks.
That means Harbaugh’s completely new staff and young quarterback, Jaxson Dart, are under the spotlight from the jump. The same piece also notes that rookie linebacker Arvell Reese will be tested against Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford, while rookie guard Francis Mauigoa draws Quinnen Williams and Aaron Donald.
By the next power rankings, the question is whether those young players were ready for the brightest lights.
ESPN is a little more bullish, putting New York at No. 23 and giving the Giants a 19.7% chance to make the playoffs, a 10.3% shot to win the division and a projected 7.5 wins. ESPN’s FPI also pegs the 2026 ceiling at 10-7 and the floor at 5-12, with the Giants facing the eighth-hardest schedule. The 2025 record listed there is 4-13.
Elsewhere, the general theme is the same: Harbaugh brings hope, but there’s still plenty to prove. Windy City Gridiron asks whether John Harbaugh can be the difference maker for a promising young core that needs major Year 2 growth.
The outlet says landing Harbaugh felt like the biggest recent win for the franchise, and adds that Abdul Carter, Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo all flashed enough promise in Year 1 to keep the future looking bright. Now it’s on Harbaugh and his staff to raise that ceiling.
Bleacher Report takes a similar line, saying the Giants should be more competitive immediately with Harbaugh in charge because he knows how to build and sustain a contender. Still, the site believes New York is probably another year away from a real NFC East run, with too many unknowns still hanging over the roster. Much of that, it says, depends on Dart staying healthy and making a significant second-year jump.
NFL Media’s Ian Shook places the Giants at No. 26 and highlights the Sunday night opener against the Cowboys as the start of the Harbaugh era. He expects MetLife Stadium to be buzzing, but is less certain the defense will match that energy.
FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano has the Giants at No. 23 and says Odell Beckham’s return as a fourth receiver does not move the needle much. He’s still waiting to see how healthy Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo are, though he adds that they could help New York become a surprise team, especially with a defense that could wind up in the top 10.
Pro Football Talk goes further than most, ranking the Giants at No. 20 and saying Harbaugh may have them on the brink of a quick turnaround. SB Nation has them at No. 25 with no explanation provided, while The Athletic also puts them at No. 25, calling optimism the result of Harbaugh’s hiring and what should be a strong pass rush. That said, The Athletic also notes the loss of Calvin Austin to a season-ending ACL tear and says Dart’s options behind Malik Nabers are not especially strong.
Pro Football Focus ranks New York No. 23 and gives the Giants a 24% chance to make the playoffs and a 1% chance to win the Super Bowl. Its breakdown says Harbaugh is taking over a team chasing its second playoff appearance in the last 10 seasons, with a young core that includes Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, Malik Nabers and Andrew Thomas.
Add in top-10 picks Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa, and the roster has some real pieces. But PFF says Dart’s improvement from a 64.2 PFF passing grade, along with the play of the secondary, will determine how much noise this team can make in a crowded NFC.
USA Today ranks the Giants No. 23 and says rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields could quietly be one of the most important players on the roster entering the opener, especially with injuries and turnover at the position, including the recent release of Darius Slayton.
CBS Sports is the most upbeat of the group, slotting New York at No. 22. Pete Prisco says Harbaugh’s top priority is getting Dart to take the next step, and if that happens, the Giants can push for a playoff spot.
For now, that’s where the conversation sits: some real intrigue, some real talent, and a lot of wait-and-see around Dart, Harbaugh and the rest of the new-look Giants.
In Other News...
Giants New Pecking Order Is Already Turning Into A Real Camp Story
A fresh training camp approach has already started to show up on the Giants roster, with John Harbaugh and his staff giving opportunities to both familiar faces and players with no prior connection to him. The result is a group being judged less by old ties and more by how they fit what the coaches want, which is exactly the kind of reset that can change the tone of camp before the first full pads practice even settles in.
That shift has kept several key names in the mix, including Kayvon Thibodeaux and Deonte Banks, while also bringing in a few notable changes around the edges of the roster. Veteran lineman Daniel Faalele was dealt away, Najee Harris joined the backfield picture, and the bigger question now is how much this new pecking order will keep evolving once the competition really starts to sharpen. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Week 1 Depth Chart Just Raised Big Questions Before Cowboys
The Giants unofficial Week 1 depth chart offered an early look at how Brian Dabolls staff plans to line up against the Cowboys, and it came with a few notable wrinkles. Deonte Banks is now listed as a starting cornerback next to Greg Newsome II after moving up the chart, while Chauncey Golston is shown as the starting defensive end with Darius Alexander behind him. Cam Skattebo also appears as the starting running back, with several others stacked behind him, giving the backfield a layered look heading into the opener.
One of the more interesting details is what the Giants left off the chart altogether: there is no primary slot receiver listed, a sign they may rotate multiple players through that role. Depth charts this early can still shift before kickoff, but they can also hint at how a coaching staff sees its personnel after camp and the preseason. For a Giants team trying to settle key spots before facing Dallas, the chart raised as many questions as it answered. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Just Answered A Growing Concern On Their Defensive Line
The Giants added some needed experience up front by signing veteran defensive tackle Dean Lowry, a 32-year-old who has spent time with both the Packers and Steelers. He is expected to begin on the practice squad, but the move gives New York another seasoned body in a defensive line group that has been looking for more reliable depth and a steadier presence around the younger tackles.
Lowrys appeal is as much about what he can bring off the field as what he can do on it. The Giants view him as a versatile piece who can help against the run and offer the kind of leadership that can speed up the development of younger players, and in a room that has been under scrutiny, that sort of addition can matter as the season wears on. [Read more 🡒]