Giants offseason roster analysis, Part 1: The offense
Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo of the Giants react in the fourth quarter against Kansas City at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Giants’ offense found its leader in Jaxson Dart at quarterback. They went from 31st in scoring and 30th in offense in 2024 to 17th and 13th, respectively, last season.
Yet it didn’t produce more wins. Enter John Harbaugh as coach and Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator. They had to make the offensive more dynamic and brought in more receivers to help Dart.
At the same time, expect a more physical offense, given how much Harbaugh loves running the ball. Here’s where the group stands heading into Week 2 of OTAs and training camp in July.
QUARTERBACK
Returning: Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston
Additions: Brandon Allen
Evaluation: Dart is set as the Giants’ QB1 and Winston is entrenched as the veteran backup. Now in Year Two, Dart has to prove himself the Giants’ quarterback of the future. He threw for 2,272 yards and had 24 total touchdowns (15 passing, nine rushing) but was evaluated four times in concussion protocol and missed two games after suffering one. His goal in 2026 isn’t just growing as a quarterback but being better protecting his body. Dart and the Giants’ future depends on that.
RUNNING BACK
Returning: Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Dante Miller
Addition: Damon Bankston
Evaluation: Harbaugh inherited a great rushing offense with Skattebo and Tracy as a 1-2 combo. Skattebo was electric (410 yards, five touchdowns) before an ankle injury ended his rookie season. Tracy (740 yards) led the team in rushing again and had a second consecutive 1,000-scrimmage yard season. Neither back has game-breaking speed but their versatility as pass-catchers make them great fits. Singletary has proved himself as a solid third back entering his free agent season.
FULLBACK
Addition: Patrick Ricard
Evaluation: Expect a new dimension in the Giants’ offense with Ricard bulldozing blockers from the backfield. “Pancake Pat” should make the Giants even more dangerous in the run game and help Dart show off more of his dual-threat ability. He’s also a symbol of the Giants looking to be more physical in overpowering teams under Harbaugh.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Returning: Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt, Gunner Olszewski, Beaux Collins, Isaiah Hodgins, Xavier Gipson
Addition: Malachi Fields (rookie), Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III
Evaluation: Nabers’ recovery from a torn ACL/meniscus remains critical for this group’s success. It’s still unclear if he’ll be ready by Week 1 but the passing game goes as Nabers goes. Slayton should be healthy by training camp after sports hernia surgery but he needs to bounce back after regressing last season, one which included too many drops. The new veterans should upgrade this room after Wan’Dale Robinson left for the Titans in free agency. Mooney knows this offense playing with Nagy in Chicago so he’ll be an asset working with Dart. Austin’s speed adds an element the Giants lacked last year as does Fields’ size at 6-4. But the new additions mean less room for Hyatt, who fell further out of favor last season and could be a non-factor in his free agent season. Collins and Olszewski were OK when they filled in due to injuries but they’re better suited on special teams.
TIGHT END
Returning: Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz, Thomas Fidone II
Addition: Isaiah Likely
Evaluation: With Likely’s experience and production from the Ravens, he and Theo Johnson have the potential to be one of the best tight-end tandems in the NFC. Likely can stretch the field more and line up in the slot as a big target (6-4, 245 pounds). Johnson, however, needs to fix his issues with drops that hampered his second season despite better numbers and a solid chemistry with Dart. Bringing back Manhertz was a good move, keeping a veteran presence who’s also an excellent blocker. Fidone will have another good mentor to learn from in Likely but the second-year player might have trouble seeing the field barring injury.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Returning: Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., John Michel Schmitz, Jermaine Eluemunor, Marcus Mbow, Evan Neal, Joshua Ezeudu
Addition: Francis Mauigoa (rookie), Daniel Faalele, Lucas Patrick, Ryan Schernecke, Aaron Stinnie, J.C. Davis (rookie)
Evaluation: The Giants’ line remains a strength with four of the five starters back. A healthy Thomas remains one of the best tackles in the league and re-signing Eluemunor was a critical win for Harbaugh’s first offseason. There are still concerns about the interior line, though. Runyan and Schmitz struggled last season and will be free agents next winter. Right guard is the biggest question mark but Mauigoa will get a chance to fill that void in his rookie year. He’ll need some time adjusting from playing tackle but earned good early reviews in OTAs. If he struggles, Faalele and Patrick can step in at guard as well.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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