Darnell Mooney went into the spring with a clean path to carve out a role for the Giants. He knew the offense.
He had history with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy from Chicago. And with Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton unavailable for offseason workouts, there was a real opening for him to settle in as a useful No. 2 or No. 3 option.
That picture looks very different now.
By late August, Mooney’s grip on a roster spot has become shaky enough that his name has already drifted into trade speculation. He did not play against the Dolphins on Saturday, and the silence around his absence only made the situation feel worse. Harbaugh later explained that Mooney had brief, approved leave to serve as best man at his brother’s wedding.
The reason was personal, but the Giants’ lack of communication around it only added to the noise. More importantly, it did nothing to change the bigger reality: Mooney’s quiet training camp has put him on the bubble.
For Joe Schoen, it is another uncomfortable swing that may not pay off.
The Giants had reason to feel good about parts of their offseason. Schoen picked up a first-round pick for All-Pro defensive tackle-turned-malcontent Dexter Lawrence, and he drew praise for bringing in several of John Harbaugh’s former players, including Isaiah Likely and Pat Ricard. Mooney was supposed to be one of those sensible, low-cost additions that could help stabilize the receiver room.
And from a financial standpoint, it was never a crushing bet. The Giants guaranteed Mooney just $3 million when they signed him.
For the team, the risk was limited: if he didn’t work out, they could move on after this season. That is looking like the likeliest outcome now.
The timing makes the miss even more noticeable. Nabers is still in ramp-up mode.
Jalin Hyatt is sidelined with a leg injury. The Giants already moved on from JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Even with those openings, Mooney has barely registered in recent weeks, and the idea that he might save his best for actual games took a hit Saturday.
There is still a chance the Giants could extract something for him. They already picked up a late-round return for veteran offensive lineman Daniel Faalele, and in theory Mooney could bring back something similar.
The Seahawks, who just lost Jake Bobo to a knee injury, are one team that could be in position to take a flyer. With the reigning champions able to absorb a gamble, Mooney could have a market.
If New York does move on, the ripple effect on the receiver depth chart becomes clearer. Braxton Berrios would appear to be in line to stick.
Nabers and rookie Malachi Fields are safe. Slayton would be as well, unless he is traded.
Odell Beckham Jr. caught two passes for 17 yards against the Dolphins, and his workload against the Jets next weekend will be worth watching.
Calvin Austin III also helped his case with a productive outing against Miami. He had a 21-yard run and a 20-yard catch, finishing with 45 offensive yards on three touches and another 29 yards on two punt returns. All signs point to him making the roster, too.
For Mooney, though, the path that once looked so reasonable now seems to be closing fast.
In Other News...
Giants Suddenly Have Real Roster Pressure At Two Key Positions
The Giants have made plenty of noise in the preseason, finishing 3-0 and drawing a top ranking from Pro Football Focus, but the more useful takeaway for Brian Dabolls staff is what those games revealed about the edges of the roster. Preseason wins always come with an asterisk, yet the performances did help clarify where New York has real depth and where the competition is suddenly a lot tighter than it looked a few weeks ago.
The running back group and the defensive front both stood out as spots where recent play has forced some hard conversations ahead of final cuts. Players on both units made cases in live action, which is exactly what a team wants this time of year, but it also means the Giants may have more tough decisions than expected when they sit down to set the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Face Tough Final Roster Calls After Crowded Preseason Battles
After the preseason win over the Dolphins, the Giants are heading into the part of August that can be more revealing than the games themselves. John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen now have to sort through a crowded roster and turn a long list of encouraging preseason performances into the league-mandated 53-man group, with the most crowded debates shaping up at running back, wide receiver, offensive line and cornerback.
Some spots look fairly clear, but plenty of players are still living on the edge of the bubble as the front office weighs who fits best and who has done enough to stick. Harbaugh has already pointed to several strong individual showings, yet the final calls are still pending, which leaves the Giants with more good problems than bad ones and a handful of tough decisions still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Rookies Are Making The Roster Picture A Lot Tougher
The Giants rookie class is starting to make the final roster conversation a little more complicated, and that is a good problem to have this time of year. Preseason snaps have given the staff a longer look at a group that includes Bobby Jamison-Travis and J.C. Davis, both of whom helped themselves with improved play and signs they can push for a spot, while the tape on others has been more of a neutral exercise in evaluation than a clear step forward or backward.
Arvell Reese, Francis Mauigoa, Colton Hood, Malachi Fields and Jack Kelly all got their chances too, and the early read is less about headline-grabbing production than about who is steadily building trust. With roster cuts looming, those small preseason impressions matter more than usual, because the Giants are trying to sort out not just who belongs, but which rookies have done enough to stay in the mix when the decisions get real. [Read more 🡒]