The opening wave of the NFL’s 2026 free agency has come and gone, and it was certainly an exciting one. Billions of dollars have changed hands in free agent contracts and trades, and while the New York Giants didn’t make any blockbuster signings, they were also no small part of the festivities.
The Giants made a few key signings as they begin to prepare their roster to contend for the NFC East crown under John Harbaugh.
Most notably, they signed TE Iasiah Likely and RT Jermaine Eluemunor, while also
bringing in the likes of CB Greg Newsome II, FB Patrick Ricard, P Jordan Stout, and K Jason Sanders. However, the Giants also didn’t bring in a definitive long-term solution for right guard, wide receiver across from Malik Nabers, or shore up their defensive line depth.
Taken as a whole, Giants’ fans are happy with the teams’ moves so far.
We didn’t ask you to grade the Giants’ moves to open free agency because, frankly, they weren’t done yet. That was clearly evidenced by the decisions to bring back Evan Neal to compete at guard and sign Calvin Austin II to add an explosive element to the passing game.
There will be plenty of time to grade the Giants’ off-season once it’s complete after the 2026 NFL Draft. Until then, we can’t really say whether the Giants have taken definitively positive steps toward winning the NFC East (still +600, per FanDuel Sportsbook). However, it’s fair to say that the Giants have set themselves up well for the draft next month.
Teams never want to go into go into the draft with glaring needs, and the Giants have done a good job of providing themselves with potential long-term options at every position of need except wide receiver and defensive line.
- Jermaine Eluemunor should solidify the right tackle position.
- Greg Newsome II should compete with Tae Banks at cornerback, and either could be a good fit in an aggressive and (hopefully) well-coached coverage scheme.
- Evan Neal has shown promise at guard and should at least be in the mix to start, though he also won’t preclude the Giants from drafting another guard
- Micah McFadden and Tremaine Edmunds give the Giants an athletic linebacker duo.
- Isaiah Likely should provide the Giants with an athletic 12-personnel package, as well as a dangerous tertiary option for Jaxson Dart on off-schedule plays.
The feeling here is that the Giants were much better than their 2025 record would suggest. Were it not for a 1 in a million perfect storm of injuries, poor coaching, and poor decisions, they could have doubled their win total — or more.
So yes, the Giants’ work overtaking the NFC East isn’t done yet, but their opening moves have set them up well.
