Anthony Rivardo
The first wave of 2026 free agency has officially receded, and while the Giants have made some critical improvements, the roster remains a work in progress. John Harbaugh has successfully imported his culture through high-IQ signings and a special teams overhaul, but several glaring holes could still derail the Jaxson Dart era before it truly takes flight.
As we pivot toward the NFL Draft, it’s time to take stock of the cupboards. From the depleted trenches to a secondary searching for an identity, here are the five biggest needs the Giants must address to compete in the NFC East in 2026.
5. Kicker
It might seem odd to rank a specialist in the top five, but in the “Harbaugh Way,” the third phase is a priority, not an afterthought. While the Giants added veteran Jason Sanders, he is coming off a hip injury that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. Currently, he’s set for a training camp battle with Ben Sauls, the undrafted gem who was perfect on 23 total kicks last year. However, if Sanders isn’t back to his All-Pro form, the Giants lack a proven, long-term answer at a position that often decides three or four games a year in the margins.
4. Linebacker
The Giants made a massive statement by signing Tremaine Edmunds, but the depth behind him is a major concern. Outside of the starting duo of Edmunds and Micah McFadden (who is coming off an injury that sidelined him for the majority of the 2025 season), the roster consists primarily of special teams aces and unproven late-round flyers.
In a defensive scheme led by Dennard Wilson that relies on linebackers to navigate heavy traffic and blitz gaps, one injury to the starting unit could leave the middle of the field wide open. Adding a savvy veteran or a mid-round thumper to provide insurance is a necessity before Week 1.
3. Interior Defensive Line
While Dexter Lawrence remains the gold standard, the Giants’ run defense has been terrible over the last few years, and especially bad when “Sexy Dexy” isn’t on the field. The departure of key rotational pieces in free agency has left the cupboard bare, and as ESPN’s Jordan Raanan recently reported, the Giants still intend to add on the defensive line. To truly embody the physical identity Harbaugh craves, Schoen needs to find a defensive tackle who can eat double teams and allow Brian Burns and Abdul Carter to win their one-on-one matchups on the edge.
2. Cornerback
The secondary is currently the shakiest unit on the roster following the loss of Cor’Dale Flott to the Titans. Aside from Paulson Adebo, the Giants lack a true boundary starter, leading many to believe that LSU’s Mansoor Delane could be a target at No. 5 overall. Whether through a premium draft pick or a late-market flyer on someone like L’Jarius Sneed, the Giants cannot afford to enter the season with a “rotation by committee” approach against the elite wideouts of the NFC East.
1. Right Guard
The undisputed top priority remains the interior offensive line. Despite the signing of Isaiah Likely to bolster the passing game, the man responsible for protecting Jaxson Dart’s interior pocket hasn’t been found. The Giants missed out on the top-tier free-agent guards, leaving a massive vacancy at right guard.
Whether it’s trading down for Penn State’s Vega Ioane or signing a veteran to a short-term, “prove-it” deal, Schoen must solidify the trenches if this offense is going to survive the 17-game grind. Thankfully, they did re-sign Jermaine Eluemunor to solidify the right tackle spot. But, nevertheless, a competition for the right guard spot between Evan Neal, Aaron Stinnie, and Joshua Ezeudu is not one that inspires confidence. The Giants need to add a starting right guard.
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