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What Are the New York Giants Roster’s Top 5 Needs?

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Jan 20, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen and John Harbaugh before the press conference announcing Harbaugh’s hiring as the next New York Giants head coach at Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
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The NFL offseason is underway for the New York Giants, and they have already been busy.

After multiple coaching hires, including John Harbaugh as the head coach, rebuilding the roster is next on Joe Schoen’s to-do list.

There are holes everywhere on the Giants’ roster, but wide receiver, guard, defensive tackle, linebacker, and safety should be the biggest priorities for New York.

Wide Receiver

Outside of superstar Malik Nabers, the Giants are severely lacking outside receivers. Luckily, they have plenty of ways to fill this hole.

At the fifth overall pick, they are in a prime position to get a blue-chip receiver prospect in either Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, or Makai Lemon.

Each of these prospects has much-needed traits that will automatically give New York one of the better receiving duos in the league.

Outside of the draft, they also have the opportunity to bring back long-time Giant Wan’Dale Robinson. Robinson is likely looking for top-tier slot receiver money, but he has also shown interest in returning to Big Blue.

Even though New York has numerous ways to fill the receiving void, it is a necessity that they address it.

Guard

With their right guard, Greg Van Roten, a free agent, the Giants must add some new blood. 2025 was the best New York’s offensive line has performed in recent times, finishing as PFF’s ninth-best line. 

Although the group saw success, much of it came from the tackle’s play. There is much-needed help at the guard position, including upgrading from Jon Runyan at left guard.

The G-Men can fill this need in free agency with players such as John Simpson or Sean Rhyan, or take a player in the middle part of the draft. 

Defensive Tackle

A significant reason for Dexter Lawrence‘s disappointing 2025 season is the poor play of the other defensive tackles. 

Opponents were able to constantly double Lawrence without the worry of the other tackle having a forceful pass rush or any push in the game. The Giants are better off getting a run-stuffing tackle, trying to fix their 31st-ranked run defense.

Despite already investing a great deal into the defensive line, there needs to be even more work done.

Linebacker

The linebacker group was a disaster last season.

Micah McFadden, who many anticipated to have a breakout season, played less than one half of football all season due to a foot injury.

Veteran Bobby Okereke showed that father time is catching up to him. Okereke was constantly a step behind on plays, being a key contributor to the horrid run defense and disappointing pass defense.

No matter where they get a linebacker, they should go after a player who is oriented on filling run gaps.

Safety

The safety position was a place that many Giants fans thought would be one of their best, but because of Tyler Nubin‘s terrible play and Jevon Holland missing time, it became one of their biggest weaknesses.

Nubin’s athleticism is his Achilles’ heel, as he is constantly unable to close in on runners and stay in front of receivers. 

The obvious fix to this issue is Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Downs is a do-it-all back, but most importantly, he is an excellent downhill player who reads the field like nobody else.

Even if they can’t get Downs, putting more assets into the safety group should be a must.

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Written by
Miles Leicht

Despite growing up in Northeast Ohio, Miles gravitated towards the Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Giants at a young age. Now, he is a sports management major at Miami Ohio and a proficient writer and editor at The Lead.

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