Early tests for the New York Giants’ newcomers are nearly here, with training camp just around the corner.
The Giants have had a very busy offseason: they rebuilt the coaching staff, made a blockbuster trade, and fully embraced their youthful roster.
The 2026 training camp will be nothing short of momentous for the G-Men, as they will be able to decide just how much early playing time their young talents will see.
With all these grand additions, both on and off the field, there will be numerous pivotal position battles in White Sulphur Springs, WV.
1. New York Giants’ Decision for WR2
Even in the perfect world where Malik Nabers will be healthy and ready to go for Week 1, there are still significant questions about what the rest of the receiving room will look like.
New York veteran Darius Slayton has been the WR2 for far too long, and after another season of drop issues and overall inconsistency, they may look for someone else to fill this role.
The first name that should come to mind is third-round rookie Malachi Fields. The former Notre Dame wideout has a massive frame, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 222 pounds, a body type the Giants have been scarce on recently.
Fields possesses some massive strengths: contested catches (11 in 2025) and being a downfield threat. He had an average target depth of 16.4 yards in college according to PFF.
Given that New York gave up a considerable haul to trade up for him, he is the most likely player to dethrone Slayton from his long-held title.
If Fields’ lack of a complete route tree or speed does, in fact, keep him from moving up the depth chart, the Giants have plenty of veteran ammunition if they still feel the need to replace Slayton. The signings of Calvin Austin III, Darnell Mooney, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and, of course, franchise icon Odell Beckham Jr. give the team multiple potential starting lineups to begin the season.
2. Giants’ Massive CB2 Competition
The brutal loss of 2025 breakout player Cordale Flott leaves an enormous void opposite Paulson Adebo.
New York has three realistic options to slot in: Deonte Banks, Greg Newsome II, and rookie Colton Hood.
Hood, the No. 37 pick, should be the favorite. The aggressive, physical corner has more than enough tools to start early. Though he is listed behind Newsome on the depth chart, both will get numerous opportunities to shine in Training Camp and Preseason.
Newsome has struggled mightily in the past few years. Since 2024, teams have not been shy about targeting him. He has allowed a 100.o+ passer rating, 62.0+ completion percentage, and nine total touchdowns between the two years.
As for Banks, the former first-rounder, there is still hope. He turned a lot of heads during OTAs, leaving the door still open to reclaim his starting status.
His dreadful third season left him mostly on the bench, starting only six games. His consistent lack of effort, tackling, and inability to turn his head when targeted made it impossible to keep him on the field. To put his shortcomings into numbers, he allowed a 126.7 passer rating, four touchdowns on 37 targets, and a missed-tackle percentage of nearly 14%.
But, with a fresh start and a new coaching staff, Banks will have a fair shot at redemption.
3. Edge Rush Rotation Being Honed In
The edge rush room for New York is among the NFL’s best. With Brian Burns, the sack-title runner-up; 2025 No. 3 pick Abdul Carter; and 2022 No. 5 pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, the sky’s the limit.
To add to this ludicrous room, they also got Arvell Reese, the hybrid superstar from Ohio State.
Although Reese will not play full-time snaps at edge, his game-breaking strength and quickness make him a dangerous rusher at all times.
Still, outside of Reese, the Giants are left with the same predicament as last season. In 2025, they often failed to incorporate all three rushers at once when they were all healthy. This made the defense a disappointment, finishing as the seventh-worst in the league.
While the edge rush room may not be a typical position battle, training camp will still play a substantial role in how to approach the all-talented group in the regular season, including which of Carter or Thibodeaux to play more at edge rusher.
Leave a comment