Giants news, 5/13: Colton Hood signs rookie contract, passing on Caleb Downs

Good morning, New York Giants fans! From Big Blue View Second-round pick Colton Hood signs rookie contract with Giants Why the NY Giants did not draft Caleb Downs Fantasy Football ‘26: The best rookie landing spots for this season Tracking the Giants schedule release rumors Other Giant observations

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Other Giant observations

Brian Burns wants New York Giants to ‘redeem’ themselves in Week 1 vs. Cowboys | USAToday.com

All-Pro outside linebacker Brian Burns, is already aware of the stakes in games against the Cowboys.

“[Expletive], I wasn’t here for that, but 40-0, you know we’re gonna hear a lot about that leading up to this one,” Burns said, referring to the Cowboys’ trouncing of the Giants in the 2023 season opener in prime time at MetLife Stadium. “But, damn sure I’m gonna want to redeem it this time around. There’s a lot of hype and hope around this season for us, and obviously

people have bought in. Now it’s about making it happen.”

Baldy is looking forward to the return of Cam Skattebo

Here is where Giants’ 2026 strength of schedule ranks | NJ.com

The Giants, as they prepare for Harbaugh’s first season on the job, are 17th (.498). Among the other NFC East teams, the Cowboys are 20th (.493), while the Eagles are 23rd (.481) and the Commanders are 16th (.502).

Other than the Cowboys, Commanders and Eagles, the Giants will face these teams at home in 2026: Cardinals, Browns, Jaguars, Saints, 49ers and Titans. And other than those three NFC East opponents, the Giants will travel to play these teams: Lions, Texans, Colts, Rams and Seahawks.

2026 NFL rookies: Day 2-3 draft picks with instant impact | ESPN.com

Bobby Jamison-Travis, DT, New York Giants (No. 186). The Giants badly needed defensive tackle reinforcements after trading Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence II five days before the draft. While expecting Jamison-Travis to fully replace Lawrence is unrealistic, the former Auburn player was one of my favorite Day 3 run defenders.

Jamison-Travis is powerful and stout, and he can hold his ground with great length and overall size (6-foot-4, 322 pounds). He’s not a pass rusher (one sack in three seasons at Auburn), but he will help on early-down run defense.

John Harbaugh’s first draft class with Giants seems to share coach’s priority | New York Daily News

There are great players with big personalities and quiet ones. But so far, the focus of these draft picks — which is football first and borders on football only — stands in contrast to the bigger personalities and egos of recent Joe Schoen first round picks such as Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter.

And it aligns clearly with the new team Harbaugh promised to build. It’s intriguing this early to see that develop.

NFL veterans who could lose their spot to a rookie | CBSSports.com

When the 2026 NFL season kicks off in September, there will be plenty of rookies on the field in Week 1 making their first career start. When a rookie is on the field, it’s usually due to one of two reasons: The team had a roster hole at that position or the rookie outplayed a veteran in training camp and won the job.

Giants LB Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux enters the final year of his contract after New York picked up his fifth-year option last offseason. With no ties to him beyond 2026, and the arrival of Arvell Reese to crowd the pass-rushing unit even further, Thibodeaux is not only looking at a possible diminished role, but could be dealt before we even get to Week 1.

Adam Schein raises expectations for 2026 Giants

2026 NFL Draft Steals & Reaches: Most Valuable Draft Classes | Sharp Football Analysis

In Year 1 under the new John Harbaugh regime, the Giants crushed the draft. They didn’t select a single player before expected until pick No 185, when they selected DL Bobby Jamison-Travis in Round 6.

Before that, every one of their picks was drafted later than expected:

EDGE Arvell Reese – expected at 3, taken at 5
OT Francis Mauigoa – expected at 8, taken at 10
CB Colton Hood – expected at 32, taken at 37
WR Malachi Fields – expected at 73, taken at 74
OT J.C. Davis – expected at 154, taken at 191
LB Jack Kelly – expected at 189, taken at 192

Overall, it was similar to what the Harbaugh-led Ravens have done in prior years, taking value where they could.

NFLPA head: Players strongly want ‘high quality’ grass fields | ESPN.com

FIFA uses only grass fields for the World Cup. MetLife Stadium, AT&T Field, Gillette Stadium, Lumen Field, NRG Stadium, SoFi Stadium and Mercedes-Benz Stadium all use some sort of artificial turf for NFL games but will have natural grass for the matches this summer. The installation process began in recent weeks, with the tournament expected to commence on June 11. The United States opens June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.

“You look at FIFA, they’re rolling out the green carpet for soccer players. And that has become the norm,” Tretter said. “Over in European leagues, that is what you do. You play on grass. They have surface standards that each thing is rolled out. It’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. And those players will not play if it’s not that.”

Craig Morton, Super Bowl winner and former Giants QB, dead at 83 | New York Post

Super Bowl-winning quarterback Craig Morton died Saturday. He was 83 years old.

Morton played 18 seasons in the NFL, spanning from 1965-82, which included parts of three seasons with the Giants — though he’s most remembered for his time with the Cowboys and Broncos. “We are saddened to hear of Craig’s passing. He was a great leader and teammate. Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” the Giants said in a statement.