As the NFL’s summer break opens, the Giants are staring at one question that looms over everything else: what does Jaxson Dart become in 2026?
That was ESPN’s view in its offseason grades, which gave New York a B+ and said no player will matter more to the team’s short-term outlook than the second-year quarterback’s growth. The piece also framed the Giants’ offseason as a move toward building a stronger base for the medium and long term, rather than chasing only immediate results.
The same offseason review pointed to the Giants’ biggest roster decision as the trade of Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the No. 10 pick. ESPN called it a huge win, noting that Lawrence was coming off a down season and that the value of the top-10 selection was a better return than the veteran defensive tackle was likely worth.
That trade gave New York two top-10 picks, and the Giants used them on linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese at No. 5 and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10.
The story of that draft haul is simple: if those two young players hit, they can help form the backbone of the team’s new core.
There was also praise for the Giants’ biggest offseason addition off the field, with ESPN saying nothing was more significant than landing John Harbaugh. The outlet described him as a stabilizing force because of his long run of success in Baltimore, and said he gives fans real hope in the franchise’s new direction.
One of the biggest unresolved issues in camp is Malik Nabers’ recovery. The Athletic raised the question of whether he’ll be ready for Week 1, and said it’s impossible to know right now.
Nabers is coming back from a torn ACL and meniscus and also had a second cleanup surgery this spring. General manager Joe Schoen has said he expects him back for Week 1, and Harbaugh is hopeful he’ll return soon.
The Giants have added three big names at receiver late this spring, but none of them bring the same burst Nabers does. Even if he is back for the opener, the question remains whether he’ll look like his usual explosive self right away.
Bleacher Report also highlighted a Giants player who may not get the spotlight he deserves: Jermaine Eluemunor. The site listed the offensive tackle among the NFL’s most underrated players entering 2026 and said keeping him was one of New York’s most important offseason moves.
Eluemunor, 31, spent his early years bouncing around with three teams before becoming a regular starter for the Raiders in 2022. He then turned that stretch into a modest free-agent deal with the Giants in 2024.
The piece said he may never become a Pro Bowl name, but he is a major part of the puzzle for a team that will lean on his steadiness.
There was also a notable scouting note on the Giants’ defense. One anonymous rival scout told Athlon Sports that the unit might be better than people think, saying, “Signing heavyweight nose tackle D.J.
Reader and veteran Shelby Harris helps make up for the trade of Dexter Lawrence,” and adding, “Brian Burns’ pass-rushing skills are practically unparalleled. Edge rusher Arvell Reese has size, strength and growth in front of him as a pass-rusher working in his favor.
… The Giants need Abdul Carter to keep getting better. Signing Tremaine Edmunds gives the Giants an imposing inside linebacker who can run.”
And on the draft front, the New York Post ran a story on rookie Sisi Mauigoa, saying he is already making the right kind of impression with the Giants and quoting the line, “Doesn’t take BS from anyone.”
The broader league chatter also included Jameis Winston, who has been described as a breakout star for Fox’s World Cup coverage, while other teams made headlines around the Cowboys, Commanders and Texans. But for the Giants, the focus stays on Dart, Nabers, and whether this offseason’s foundation starts turning into wins.
In Other News...
John Harbaugh Faces The Giants Question That Will Define Jaxson Dart
John Harbaugh arrives in New York with a reputation that should matter immediately for Jaxson Dart. The Giants used a first-round pick on Dart in 2025 because they believed in the quarterback's upside, and his rookie season offered enough promise to keep the long view intact. Harbaugh has spent years helping shape quarterbacks in Baltimore, and the appeal here is obvious for a team trying to turn talent into something steadier and more reliable.
Dart's next step is less about flashes and more about the details that separate a young passer from a true franchise piece. He has work to do with pocket patience, reading defenses, and making better decisions when the play breaks down, along with sharpening his deep-ball touch. For Harbaugh, the real question is whether he can do what he has done before and guide a gifted quarterback through the messy middle of development without rushing the process or the player. [Read more 🡒]
Arvell Reese Is Making Giants Fans Dream Bigger Than Expected
Arvell Reese has already become one of the more intriguing names around the Giants this offseason, and it is not hard to see why. The teams 2026 first-round pick has stood out during offseason activities for the kind of size, athleticism and football IQ that tend to get people talking before pads even come on, with observers noting how naturally he has moved through spring work.
The encouraging part for the Giants is not just the physical profile, but how quickly Reese has taken to the mental side of the job. Brian Burns and others have seen enough in his ability to handle coverage responsibilities and absorb the playbook to raise the ceiling on what his role could become, though the real test still waits for live contact and full practices. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Are Asking Darnell Mooney To Fix A Familiar Problem
The Giants pass-catching picture has a familiar look to it: thin, unsettled and still waiting for somebody to make the whole thing less predictable. ESPNs recent ranking put New Yorks skill-position group near the bottom of the league, and the concern goes beyond one player or one spot. There are questions around the tight end room, and the offense is leaning on receiver Darnell Mooney to bring the speed and route quickness that can keep defenses honest.
For quarterback Jaxson Dart, that means the margin for error at receiver remains small, with Mooney expected to be a key piece in stretching coverage and creating space. New York can also use help from Cam Skattebo and Theo Johnson, but the larger issue is whether this group can become more than a collection of complementary parts. The Giants do not need style points here, just enough reliable production to keep defenses from crowding every snap. [Read more 🡒]