The Giants spent the offseason looking like a team that wanted to change the conversation. On paper, they did plenty to help themselves for 2026. John Harbaugh brings a Super Bowl pedigree, the roster looks stronger almost everywhere, and Jaxson Dart is positioned for a big jump in his second season.
Still, not everyone is ready to buy in. That hesitation makes sense, because no one has seen these upgrades on the field yet. It can look a lot like bolting shiny, expensive parts onto a beat-up 1998 Toyota Camry.
All show and no sucess.
ESPN’s latest roster rankings reflected that skepticism, placing the Giants 23rd in the league as July begins. The new pieces on offense, including tight end Isaiah Likely, Darnell Mooney, and Francis Mauigoa, are a big reason that number sits where it does.
There’s also real help on defense. Arnell Reese and the second-season arrival of Abdul Carter give that side of the ball a much-needed boost. Even so, the loss of Dexter Lawrence III on the interior of the defensive line is a major blow, and Derrick Brown will need to carry a heavy load.
The Giants landed between the Minnesota Vikings at No. 22 and the Carolina Panthers at No. 24, which is respectable enough on the surface. It’s not the kind of spot that screams contender, though, and that’s the standard the Giants are chasing.
The ranking also leaves New York at the bottom of the NFC East. Washington checked in at No. 21, Dallas came in at No. 14, and the Philadelphia Eagles were placed second overall behind the Los Angeles Rams.
That Washington spot feels backwards, especially after the Commanders’ offseason. They added some useful pieces on defense, but so did the Giants, and not nearly enough happened there to justify a clear edge.
Dallas at No. 14 is harder to square, too. There’s more uncertainty heading into 2026 than there was a year ago.
Javonte Williams has to prove his breakout wasn’t a one-off, and the real measuring stick may end up being Jaxson Dart against Dak Prescott. With new targets in place, Dart now has a serious advantage.
For now, the Giants are still waiting for the rankings to catch up to the roster they built. Give it a couple months, and they’ll likely climb.
In Other News...
Giants Suddenly Have A Training Camp Battle Nobody Expected In The Secondary
The Giants went into training camp expecting the safety picture to be fairly straightforward, with Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin penciled in as the top two options. Instead, the early competition has opened the door for Jason Pinnock and ArDarius Washington, turning a spot that looked settled into one of the more interesting battles on the roster. Holland and Nubin have not separated themselves the way the team hoped, and that has created real uncertainty behind a secondary that needs stability.
Pinnocks case is easy to see after his best work came in an ultra-aggressive setup in 2023, and that kind of background matters with defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson leaning into a similarly assertive approach. Washington adds another layer because he can move between slot and safety and already knows the coaching staff from his time in Baltimore. For the Giants, the question now is less about who was supposed to start and more about which combination actually fits the scheme best. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Trade Idea Could Change Everything For Jaxson Dart
A hypothetical running back swap has surfaced as one of those ideas that makes sense on paper for a Giants offense still trying to sort out its identity around Jaxson Dart. The proposal from Lee Vowell of Horseshoe Heroes would send a second-round pick and Tyrone Tracy Jr. out of New York, with the appeal being obvious: add a proven back and give Dart a more stable supporting cast while the offense waits for its young quarterback to settle in.
The timing is what makes the exercise interesting, especially with Cam Skattebos injury in 2025 leaving his health uncertain and the Giants still looking for answers in the backfield. Even so, this is the kind of trade that lives more in the realm of debate than expectation, because the team on the other side is not exactly looking to move on from its top runner, which leaves New York fans to wonder whether the right move is a bold swing or simply patience. [Read more 🡒]
D.J. Reader Just Revealed What Sold Him On The Giants
D.J. Readers move to New York came together in May, when the Giants brought in the veteran defensive tackle on a two-year, $12.5 million deal after the 2026 NFL Draft. For a team looking to add more heft and experience up front, it was the kind of signing that made immediate sense on paper, and Readers explanation for why he chose the Giants only adds to the appeal.
He said the people around the building mattered just as much as the contract, with head coach John Harbaugh helping make the case to come to New York. Reader also pointed to a familiar face on the defensive side as part of what drew him in, which makes the Giants pitch feel less like a one-off free-agent visit and more like a reunion that had been waiting for the right moment. [Read more 🡒]