Good morning, New York Giants fans! Here are the stories you need to know for your Wednesday morning.
2026 NFL Rank: Predicting top 100 players for this season | ESPN.com
82. Andrew Thomas. Thomas is entering a season healthy for the first time in years. And when he’s healthy, he’s one of the league’s best left tackles. His 92.3% pass block win rate is the fifth best among all left tackles over the past three seasons. There is no reason to think that will dip with Thomas healthy and in his prime. Signature stat: Last season, Thomas was one of three offensive tackles to rank
in the top 15 of pass block win rate and run block win rate. The other two were the Rams’ Warren McClendon Jr. and the Vikings’ Brian O’Neill.
81. Brian Burns. Burns is coming off a career-best 16.5 sacks and looks even better this summer. “He does so many things well, he’s going to excel,” said new coach John Harbaugh about Burns’ prospects in new coordinator Dennard Wilson’s defense. Burns also shouldn’t be getting a ton of double-teams with the continued development of Abdul Carter. He was doubled at a rate of just over 13% last season. Signature stat: Burns had the second-most sacks in the NFL last season, which marked the most by a Giants player in a single season since Jason Pierre-Paul’s 16.5 in 2011.
OBJ in 13 again
Giants Roster Breakdown: A look at John Harbaugh’s group heading into 2026 NFL season | SNY.tv
Carter had a tremendous first week in West Virginia. Then the pads came on and Thomas did what he does to most people on Sundays and erased him. There were entire practices where you’d forget Carter was out there. That sounds alarming, until Carter started tormenting the interior of the Giants line once Wilson began moving him around as the team plans to on game days.
Burns is still Burns — a stud. Thibodeaux is one of the better third rushers in the NFL. This group isn’t just the strength of the Giants, but one of the best in the NFL. The key, though, is in the Giants providing them obvious situations to rush the quarterback.
New York Giants’ Dennard Wilson needs his blitz to bite in The Big Apple | USAToday.com
New York Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will have his work cut out for him in 2026. Working alongside veteran head coach John Harbaugh, Wilson will look to improve the team’s defensive foundation and restore the physical tenacity that built the franchise’s reputation. Last season, the Giants finished No. 26 in points allowed per game, tied for No. 15 in total team sacks, and were mid-tier versus the pass, ranking No. 16 in opponent pass yards per game.
Wilson’s defensive strategy will base out of 3-4 and nickel personnel groups in 2026. Versus the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys, who are both NFC East rivals, Wilson will have his pass defense greatly tested. Generic man coverages and soft-zone won’t be enough to inhibit these particular teams because their high-powered offensive attacks are heavily talent-based. Therefore, Wilson will want to implement blitz packages and shell concepts to create negative plays and potentially force turnovers. The Giants had just nine interceptions last season, and Wilson’s stint with the Tennessee Titans only produced six interceptions in 2024.
26 people who will define the NFL in 2026 | SB Nation
Jaxson Dart, QB — New York Giants. The Giants enter this season with unbelievable hype behind them. For the first time in a decade it feels like they’re ready to compete, but that requires Jaxson Dart to step his game up in 2026. Dart garnered unbelievable hype during his rookie campaign, but it was a profoundly up-and-down year by the numbers. It was decent for a rookie, but there will need to be some major progression in year two in order to have faith in Dart as the signal caller long term.
It’s not just about how he plays on the field, but how well he can adapt to a more demanding, exacting football coach in John Harbaugh. If this fits together then the Giants can be contenders in the NFC East — if it doesn’t, well, it will be another long season for the G-Men.
NFC East Preview: Is This the Cowboys’ Year? | The Ringer
If you are a Giants fan and want to believe that this team can be frisky and compete for a wild-card spot this season, go for it. There’s a scenario in which Harbaugh shows he’s still got it, Dart is an exciting playmaker (and stays healthy), and Carter emerges as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
But I can’t get there. Harbaugh did not look like a great coach with the Ravens last year. I need to see a lot more from Dart before believing that he can be a real difference maker. This roster still has a lot of holes and lacks depth. And I’m not sure that the offensive coaching staff will be able to do more with less. This feels more like a transition year in which Harbaugh figures out which guys he wants to build with going forward. Projected record: 6-11
National insider picks Giants to win NFC East
Grading every NFL team’s 2026 preseason | CBSSports.com
New York Giants Grade: B. The wide receiver room garnered a lot of attention this preseason, largely due to Odell Beckham Jr. and Malik Nabers. Beckham made the team after a solid showing in the preseason, setting the stage for a feel-good story as he writes his final chapter. That said, Nabers is the bigger story. The star receiver has made tremendous strides in his recovery from an ACL tear he suffered last season, and could be available as soon as Week 1. That’s a major development for an offense looking to take a step forward in Year 2 of Jaxson Dart. Of course, Dart staying out of the blue medical tent will be a key focus, and he did find his way in there during the preseason. The backfield, while deep, does have some questions. Cam Skattebo caught the ire of John Harbaugh, who called him “infectious” and not in a glowing manner. Meanwhile, Najee Harris was added to the room after Tyrone Tracy Jr. struggled mightily out of the gate.
From Big Blue View
- Malik Nabers’ Week 1 availability still uncertain as opener approaches
- Are the Giants getting better at drafting?
- Odell Beckham Jr. will wear number 13
- Odell Beckham ‘earned his spot’ with Giants — now what will he do with it?
- What does C.J. Okoye bring to the NY Giants? Looking at the good, and the bad
- NY Giants add 4 more players to complete their practice squad
- Survey – Which position group concerns you the most?
- Get the best of Big Blue View on the new SB Nation app
This week’s opponent
- Breaking down what Broderick Jones competing to start at RT means | Blogging the Boys
- Why the Cowboys chose Sam Howell as their backup quarterback | DallasCowboys.com
- Cowboys want Joe Milton back on the practice squad | Pro Football Talk
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