The Giants have moved on from Daniel Faalele, sending the guard to Jacksonville in exchange for a late-round 2027 draft pick, a source confirmed to Big Blue View on Wednesday morning.
Faalele had been part of the Giants’ mix at guard since signing a one-year deal before the 2026 NFL Draft. New York then used that draft to bring in Francis “Sisi” Mauigoa, who was selected to handle right guard.
The 6-foot-8, 370-pound Faalele arrived with a track record from Baltimore, where he started at right guard for the Ravens over the past two seasons. Before that, the Ravens made him a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he spent his first two years there as a backup tackle before shifting inside.
His role with the Giants had been trending toward a reserve spot. He spent spring and summer working as a backup at both left and right guard, with the expectation that he would serve as the team’s swing guard. That picture got less certain after Saturday’s preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, where Pro Football Focus gave Faalele a 0.0 pass blocking grade and a 40.2 overall score over 13 snaps.
With Faalele now out of the picture, the guard competition gets a little clearer. On Tuesday, the second-team spots were occupied by veteran Aaron Stinnie and Josh Ezeudu, the 2022 third-round pick who has been spending more of his time at guard as the summer has gone on. That usage could matter when the Giants set their 53-man roster.
Jake Kubas is also in the conversation. The former undrafted free agent turned in a strong showing on Saturday, earning a 79.8 grade in 29 snaps at center and guard. Evan Neal was still working with the third team on Tuesday, and whether he has a real path to a roster spot remains up in the air.
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