Giants’ Struggles Continue: Four Position Groups That Must Be Rebuilt Heading Into 2026
After another tough loss, this time to the Patriots, the New York Giants have officially slipped to 2-11 - a record that tells the story of a team still stuck in the mud. There are flashes of hope, sure.
Rookie wideout Malik Nabers has shown why he was a top pick. Cam Skattebo brings some juice to the backfield.
Darius Alexander has made his presence felt on the defensive line. But the reality is clear: this team can’t finish games, and the foundation still needs serious work.
Injuries have hit hard, and depth has been exposed. The defense - both against the run and the pass - has been among the league’s worst.
And with limited cap space and not a ton of draft capital, GM Joe Schoen is going to have to get creative this offseason. If the Giants want to turn the corner, these four position groups need a serious overhaul.
1. Linebacker: The Forgotten Unit
Let’s start with the linebacker corps - a group that’s been neglected for far too long. Outside of signing Bobby Okereke and taking late-round flyers, the Giants haven’t invested meaningfully in this position. And it’s showing.
Micah McFadden has been a pleasant surprise, but he’s coming off an injury and entering a contract year. Whether he returns is a question mark.
Okereke, meanwhile, hasn’t looked like the player they thought they were getting. He’s struggling to shed blocks, looks out of position far too often, and the energy just isn’t there.
For a guy expected to be the anchor in the middle, that’s a problem.
Week to week, the rotation is a revolving door: Swayze Bozeman, Zaire Barnes, Demetrius Flanagan-Fowles - none of whom have been able to lock down the job or stay healthy. It’s a patchwork group, and it’s been exposed repeatedly.
Schoen can’t afford to keep ignoring this spot. If the Giants want to build a defense that can actually get off the field, it starts here.
2. Interior Defensive Line: A One-Man Show
Dexter Lawrence is the heart of the Giants’ defensive front, but even he can’t carry this group on one leg. Injuries have slowed him down, and without him at full strength, the interior line has been a glaring weakness.
Rookie Darius Alexander has shown promise - a much-needed bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming unit. But beyond him, it’s been rough.
Veterans like Roy Robertson-Harris and Rakeem Nunez-Roches haven’t brought much to the table. D.J.
Davidson has had moments, but consistency is lacking. Chauncey Gholston offers versatility, but he’s a bit undersized for a full-time interior role.
This is a group that needs a reset. Lawrence, when healthy, is still a game-wrecker.
Alexander looks like a potential long-term piece. But the rest?
Expect major turnover. Nunez-Roches is a likely cap casualty, and Harris could be on his way out too.
The Giants can’t afford to roll into 2026 with the same supporting cast up front.
3. Secondary: A Mess in Need of Structure
The Giants’ secondary has been a rollercoaster - and not the fun kind. It’s been inconsistent, underwhelming, and at times, downright hard to watch.
Deonte Banks, a former first-round pick, has struggled all year. He’s a press-man corner being asked to play zone, and the fit just isn’t there.
But more concerning than scheme misalignment is the lack of effort. Missed tackles, blown coverages, and a general disinterest in physicality have become recurring issues.
Yet, he continues to start.
Dru Phillips and Paulson Adebo have had their ups and downs, and sixth-round rookie Korie Black has been thrown into the fire with mixed results. He’s got some tools, but he’s not ready to be a full-time starter. The front office has leaned too heavily on late-round picks and plug-and-play depth, and it’s showing.
At safety, the picture isn’t much clearer. Dane Belton and Cor’Dale Flott are both in career years, and decisions loom on their futures.
Jevon Holland has flashed when healthy, but rookie Tyler Nubin has struggled mightily. The player they thought they were getting out of Minnesota hasn’t materialized - at least not yet.
This group needs a shake-up. The Giants can’t keep hoping for developmental leaps that don’t come. They need proven playmakers and a coherent plan in the secondary.
4. Wide Receiver: Top-Heavy and Thin
The wide receiver room has been one of the most puzzling aspects of the Giants’ season. After Malik Nabers went down, the team did little to address the depth.
Darius Slayton hasn’t stepped up, and his future with the team is uncertain despite a recent extension. If he’s not willing to restructure, he could be a cap casualty.
Wan’Dale Robinson has been a bright spot - putting together a career year in a contract year. He’s earned a second look, and if the Giants are smart, they’ll bring him back. But outside of Nabers and Robinson, the cupboard is pretty bare.
Jalin Hyatt, a player with real upside, has barely seen the field. Ray-Ray McCloud has been stashed on the practice squad, and the team has been hesitant to use Ihmir Smith-Marsette - arguably their best return man - in any meaningful role. Meanwhile, fans were calling for Isaiah Hodgins to be brought back from Pittsburgh’s practice squad for weeks before it finally happened.
The Giants need to overhaul this group. If they can pair Nabers with another young, dynamic receiver through the draft - someone like a Carnell Tate - and give a potential franchise QB like Jaxson Dart some real weapons, the offense could finally take a step forward.
Final Word
The Giants have some foundational pieces, but the holes are too deep to ignore. Linebacker, interior defensive line, secondary, and wide receiver - these are the spots that need the most attention heading into 2026. With limited resources, it won’t be easy, but it’s necessary.
This offseason will be a defining one for Joe Schoen and the front office. The talent gaps are obvious.
The blueprint is clear. Now it’s about execution.
If the Giants want to stop spinning their wheels and start competing, it starts with fixing these four position groups - and doing it fast.