With the 2026 NFL Draft in the history books, let’s project the New York Giants 53-man roster. There will be plenty about this that ends up being incorrect — after all we have not seen a single Giants practice as of yet and in many cases have no real idea how the coaching staff currently views certain players or positions.
This is meant for discussion, and meant to illustrate the places on the roster where most interesting.
OFFENSE (25)
Quarterback (3)
Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston, Brandon Allen
Maybe the Giants add a camp arm at
some point, but this is your 2026 quarterback room.
Running back (4)
Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary, Patrick Ricard (FB)
The Giants did not add to the running back room in the draft. I have said it before, but I am a big fan of having a real fullback.
Wide receiver (6)
Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin, Malachi Fields, Gunner Olszewski
The BIG question here is whether or not Odell Beckham Jr. will be part of this mix and, if so, who loses a job. Would the Giants drop Olszewski and use Austin as their primary punt returner? That could be a possibility. The other thing to consider is what if John harbaugh wants to include either Dalen Cambre or Ryan Miller for special teams? Would the Giants carry seven receivers?
And, no, I don’t see a spot for Jalin Hyatt if everyone is healthy.
Tight end (3)
Isaiah Likely, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz
I really wanted to include Thomas Fidone, but the presence of Ricard makes a fourth tight end seem like a luxury.
Offensive line (9)
Starters: Andrew Thomas (LT), Jon Runyan (LG), John Michael Schmitz (C), Sisi Mauigoa (RG), Jermaine Eleumunor (RT)
Reserves: Marcus Mbow, Daniel Faalele, JC Davis, Lucas Patrick
The drafting of Mauigoa and Davis, along with the free agent signings of Faalele and Patrick, mean no room for the potential redemption stories of Evan Neal and Josh Ezeudu. Because he has center flexibility, I have Patrick taking a spot from Aaron Stinnie.
The wild-card here is whether or not the think that with some combination of Faalele-Patrick-Stinnie-Mbow-Ezeudu-Neal they can afford to cut Runyan and save $9.25 million in cap space. I am not predicting or expecting that it will happen, but as I have thought about it the possibility shouldn’t be ruled out.
I have Davis making the roster because I don’t think the Giants will want to risk exposing him to waivers and trying to pass him to the practice squad.
DEFENSE (25)
Defensive line (7)
Darius Alexander, Roy Robertson-Harris, Shelby Harris, Bobby Jamison-Travis, Sam Roberts, Leki Fotu, Chauncey Golston
As of now, still no D.J. Reader. Definitely not the defensive line of the Giants’ dreams.
Outside linebacker (3)
Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, Abdul Carter,
I am never whether to list Golston as a defensive lineman or an outside linebacker. He does both, but seems to most often align as a LEO or REO with his hand in the ground. The Giants list him as a defensive lineman, so that is where he sits in this projection.
Off-ball linebacker (4)
Tremaine Edmunds, Arvell Reese, Micah McFadden, Jack Kelly
Kelly is the new late-round linebacker flier. The way this projection worked out that is bad news for either McFadden or Muasau, two previous late-round linebacker fliers. I think McFadden is a better player than Muasau, so Muasau loses out in this projection. If the Giants face this choice in late August, it could easily go the other way.
Is that how it will turn out at the end of August? I have no idea.
Cornerback (6)
Paulson Adebo, Greg Newsome II, Colton Hood, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, Art Green
Would I be shocked if the drafting of Hood means the end of Banks’ time as a Giant? Absolutely not.
Safety (5)
Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin, Ar’Darius Washington, Jason Pinnock, Elijah Campbell
This is one more safety than I might like, but Washington is a former Raven and Campbell is a special team who might have untapped defensive potential.
Specialists (3)
Punter — Jordan Stout
Placekicker — Jason Edwards
Long snapper — Zach Triner
I suspect the Ben Sauls’ era as Giants’ placekicker is going to be short-lived. Not only did the Giants bring in Edwards in free agency, they reportedly added former Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada as an undrafted free agent. I find it hard to believe the Giants will bring three placekickers to training camp in West Virginia this summer.
