2026 New York Giants in Three Players
The offseason is upon us. Let's take a look at all 32 teams.
Onto the 25th edition of our offseason series!
Is it even the offseason anymore?
Instead of reviewing all 32 drafts and adding casual commentary, I will be doing this instead.
We will go through every single team, in alphabetical order, and quickly discuss three players:
a favorite free agent signing
a favorite draft pick
and a player already entrenched on the roster
Not necessarily the best, or the top, or the one's who will play the biggest role, just one of choice.
The New York Giants are up.
Free Agent Signing
LB Tremaine Edmunds
Edmunds is a 28 year old LB going into his 9th NFL season after spending the last 3 in Chicago.
The Giants signed Edmunds to a 3 year, $36m contract this offseason.
Here is a cut-up of some of the good from Edmunds' 2025 season.
The Giants had the league's worst run defense in 2025, and they traded All-Pro NT Dexter Lawrence. I do not anticipate this being a great run defense, regardless of Edmunds' contributions.
But, New York did bring in D.J. Reader in an attempt to supplement Lawrence's departure. And Arvell Reese was drafted 5th overall, a LB who can rush but was also elite against the run at Ohio State. Perhaps, with those two along with Edmunds, the Giants can string together a better run defense.
Because run defense will be Edmunds' primary contribution.
Tremaine Edmunds is still somehow only 28 years old, but never had great speed, and certainly does not now.
He's a bit slower and more lumbering, so his coverage contributions are limited. However, he can still hang with TEs, even going stride for stride down the seam.
His downhill trigger isn't great, but Edmunds has strong recognition ability, giving him an extra step. And he's a wall when tackling.
With his recognition, Edmunds is pretty great against the run. He reads the run game very well, covering cutback lanes and knowing when to get downhill and split the gaps.
Edmunds' best contribution to the run game will be his ability to take on blocks, and full on eliminate blockers. He has the strength to just displace guys and further clog up the running game. And with how strong a tackler he is, ballcarriers rarely get extra yardage.
Edmunds is no longer his Pro Bowl self, but he, along with the rookie Reese, should make a solid duo in the run game. The Giants' LBs have not been the worst of all time, but there was not enough consistency with their play. Edmunds should provide a good floor on the second level of the defense.
Now, how will the pair of projected starters fair against great pass catching backs? We'll see, but if their coverage drops are good, the damage should be minimal. I would not have high expectations, but Edmunds makes New York better.
Draftee
WR Malachi Fields
Fields was the 74th pick of this years' draft, out of the University of Notre Dame.
He transferred to Notre Dame for his 5th year, putting up 630 yards and 5 TDs, which was actually less production than his previous two years at the Univeristy of Virginia.
Here is NFL Network's Brian Baldinger breaking down a cut-up of Fields' 2025.
The New York Giants's top pass catchers in 2025:
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - 92 receptions (now on the Tennessee Titans)
TE Theo Johnson - 45 receptions
WR Darius Slayton - 37 receptions
RB Tyrone Tracy - 36 receptions
RB Cam Skattebo - 24 receptions
Now, WR Malik Nabers is back from his knee injury. And TE Isaiah Likely was a notable free agent addition.
But this pass catching group is wide open.
Is a 1 year, $10m contract for Darnell Mooney, or a 3 year, $36m contract to Darius Slayton going to prevent Fields from seeing snaps? In a good organization, it should not.
Fields stands at nearly 6'5, 220lbs on the perimeter. He is the prototypical X receiver who knows how to use his size.
Many receivers with unique size are good receivers, but fail at the highest level because the game gets harder, and they do not know how to use their best attribute, which is their size! This will not be the case for Fields.
Now, you have to be able to add a bit more than just utilizing your size.
So, besides Fields' ability high point balls, be physical, catch outside of his already massive frame, and get into position to make tough catches, what can he do?
Well, he can be a very good run blocker, dominating with his size. Fields also is not easy to tackle, although not a YAC artist, he simply doesn't go down immediately. This makes him a capable 3rd down weapon.
What could hold Fields back is his inability to work quickly against press coverage. He takes to long to release. Fields also is not exactly a natural separator, but with his size, you can always throw it up.
Fields' non-elite acceleration is a part of those issues. Once he hits top speed, he can move, it just takes a while, and really only shows on vertical routes. Along with the acceleration, while Fields is tough to tackle at times, he's not getting much after the catch because he can't run away from defenders.
And while not lost as a route runner, he simply is not as effective running certain routes, so he may not be getting on the field immediately.
Malachi Fields probably deserves a chance to start alongside Malik Nabers due to his upside on the perimeter. While there are other bodies in the Giants receiving room, the coaching staff should ask themselves who really can increase the ceiling of this offense.
Fields is likely the answer, and even as a rookie, he may be a unique type of safety net that Year 2 QB Jaxson Dart needs.
In-House Player
DB Dru Phillips
Phillips was the Giants' 3rd round pick in 2024 and has started 14 games in his first two seasons, playing 66% of snaps as the slot cornerback.
He will retain this role in 2025.
Here is a cut-up of the good from Phillips' 2025 season.
The Giants were a poor defense last year, and decided to trade their best defensive player in the offseason. This is not a good sign.
In terms of the secondary, they spent their 2nd round pick on outside CB Colton Hood, who I believe should get a chance to start over free agent acquisition Greg Newsome II. New HC John Harbaugh also brought over DB Ar'Darius Washington, who has played a versatile role in the defensive backfield for Baltimore over the years.
But Phillip's job is unaffected.
My biggest question is, how much man coverage will New York run in 2026 under new DC Dennard Wilson, who spent the last two seasons as the Titans DC.
In 2025, the Giants ran the 3rd most man coverage at a 34% rate, while Wilson's defense only ran man coverage 21% of the time.
I thought Dru Phillips held up really well in man coverage.
He has the body control to stay with all types of routes, and can make it difficult at the catch point for receivers.
Phillips makes it hard to separate for the receiver, which forces a tough throw for the QB, and with his ball skills, he consistently is able to break up passes.
He triggers down on routes very well. The gap closes quickly, so even if it's not a pass break-up, Phillips is able to secure the receiver and prevent YAC.
He does take risks by turning his back early when playing with cushion, occasionally getting exposed by quicker or smarter route runners. But that's what happens when you play man over one-third of the time.
And while Phillips is a pretty solid tackler, he does not blow up screens that are in front of him. He's just too light, getting controlled by the blockers in front. However, Phillips does have great all-around recognition skills, so he can slip the block and make a play on occasion.
Phillips is a small part of the Giants secondary, but a secure one. If I were Dennard Wilson, I would seriously considering giving Phillips more reps on the outside. He is clearly one of their better DBs, there is no reason he can't get the chance to see the field more often.
While Phillips does not fit the ideal modern slot build, having a guy who can lockdown all parts of the field and tackle ballcarriers consistently is a huge advantage. I do not have confidence in this Giants defense, but Phillips will certainly play his role, one that can support a strong defense in the NFL.
Thanks for reading through our 25th edition of previewing all 32 teams in 3 players! We are working our way to be completed by the time the preseason begins! Can we get 7 more articles done in 6 days? The answer is yes!
Let me know who else on the Giants is worth monitoring this season, good or bad!
Stay tuned for more NFL and 49ers articles, news, and opinions!
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