Under new head coach John Harbaugh, the New York Giants made sweeping changes to their roster. The team held multiple first-round picks, traded away superstar Dexter Lawrence, and signed dozens of new players to fix a roster that was filled with holes.
When evaluating a team, you must consider its talent, how players fit in Harbaugh’s new scheme, and the many different ways a player can contribute to winning.
This is how the Giants look.
Offense
Quarterback
Jaxson Dart will return as the team’s starting quarterback after an impressive rookie season. Dart scored 24 total touchdowns in just 12 games and filled up a highlight reel with off-platform and off-schedule throws. Dart also showed off his mobility and finished third among quarterbacks in rushing yards per game.
However, as many rookies do, Dart struggled at times to process defenses, which led to some critical turnovers. The young quarterback also needed to learn to slide on scrambles this offseason after missing time in concussion protocol last year.
Backup quarterback Jameis Winston brings a big arm and a valuable locker room presence to the team as well.
Grade: B+
Running back
Second-year running back Cam Skattebo will lead the backfield in New York. As a rookie, Skattebo emphasized a physical running pattern to initiate contact and break tackles by running through defenders rather than around them.
Skattebo will return from a lower-leg injury that sidelined him for most of last year and is expected to be more involved in the receiving game as well.
The Giants also signed Najee Harris to serve as the backup alongside Tyrone Tracy Jr. Harris fits the team’s physicality while Tracy is more dynamic as a receiver.
Grade: B+
Fullback
The Giants brought in 300-pound fullback Patrick Ricard, who had spent nine seasons with Coach Harbaugh on the Ravens. Ricard is known for his strength and ability as a lead blocker and will play an important role in the new offense.
Grade: A
Wide Receiver
Superstar Malik Nabers is expected to be ready to go for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. Nabers was dominant before tearing his ACL last season and will be heavily involved in the offense throughout the year.
Rookie Malachi Fields has flown up the depth chart with an impressive training camp and preseason that featured acrobatic catches and high-level run blocking. Fields’ performance was likely enough to earn a starting role opposite of Nabers.
The Giants also fixed their depth when they released Darius Slayton and added multiple veterans, including franchise icon Odell Beckham Jr.
Grade: B+
Tight end
Former Raven Isaiah Likely has taken over the Giants’ tight end room. Likely, who signed a three-year contract with the team this offseason, has stood out as one of Dart’s favorite targets during training camp and will play an important role with the offense.
Third-year tight end Theo Johnson and team captain Chris Manhertz are listed as backups and will be needed for blocking and play-action passes.
Grade: B
Offensive line
For a unit that ranked toward the bottom of the league for nearly a decade, the Giants improved greatly on the offensive line last year and were fourth in the league in pass-blocking efficiency according to Pro Football Focus.
Starting tackles Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor have proven to be elite players and will protect Dart off the edge. The Giants drafted right guard Francis Mauigoa to join veteran Jon Runyan on the inside and establish a physical presence in the run game.
Despite these improvements, the team will need to continue its pace from last year under new offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren. The Giants may also find themselves dependent on promising, but developing, young players such as John Michael Schmitz, Marcus Mbow and J.C. Davis.
Grade: B
Edge
The Giants have invested a lot of resources on the edge and boast three former first-round picks. Superstar Brian Burns was named a second-team All-Pro last season, and Abdul Carter led the entire NFL in quick pressures. Kayvon Thibodeaux will play a dynamic role as well and had an impressive training camp.
New York has also expressed confidence in veteran backup Chauncy Golston and has acquired multiple players through trades and waivers to add depth.
Grade: A+
Interior defender
The interior defensive line is a big question for the Giants this season. New York finished with the second-worst run defense in the league and traded away superstar defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, leaving a notable hole in the roster.
In response, the Giants brought in veteran defensive tackles Shelby Harris and D.J. Reader and emphasized the development of young linemen Darius Alexander and Bobby Jamison-Travis.
Grade: C+
Linebacker
Rookie Arvell Reese headlines a revamped linebacking corps for the Giants. The fifth-overall pick can play from multiple spots on the field and brings strength to a unit that failed to fill gaps against good offensive lines last season.
Reese will play alongside veteran Trumaine Edmunds, who signed a two-year deal with the Giants this offseason and will wear the green dot on his helmet as one of the team’s defensive leaders.
Rotational linebackers Micah McFadden and rookie Jack Kelly have shown promise against the run as well and are ready to step up when needed.
Grade: B+
Cornerback
Questions remain in a secondary that struggled to stay with receivers and lacks a true shutdown cornerback. New defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will implement a new scheme that emphasizes press coverage and aggressive play to make up for it.
Newly signed cornerback Greg Newsome II is expected to start after consistent performance during camp. Former first-round pick Deonte Banks has shown notable improvement in his ball skills and will compete with Paulson Adebo to play alongside Newsome.
The Giants also spent a second-round pick on rookie Colton Hood, who will add depth to the unit, and continued to develop Dru Phillips, who played both cornerback and safety in the preseason.
Grade: C+
Safety
Veterans Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin will start for the Giants despite both players struggling throughout last season. The Giants’ secondary ended the year with the second-most penalties and the second-fewest turnovers.
However, the Giants have impressive depth at the safety position with veterans Da’Arius Washington and Jason Pinnock each making big plays throughout the offseason.
Grade: D
For more on the Giants, visit AMNY.com
