A recent ranking from ESPN has raised an issue that splits New York Giants fans — should Big Blue traded away two of the league’s top seven defensive tackles?
The former Giants stars in question— Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence — were named No. 1 and 7, respectively, on a list compiled using input from NFL executive, coaches, and scouts. BBV’s Ed Valentine makes the case that yes, in fact the Giants made the right decision in both cases:
[Williams] was a 29-year-old player who had always been good but rarely great. He also looked like a player who had begun to decline…Faced with the choice of paying Williams or moving on, the Giants moved on. They got a second-round pick that turned into Tyler Nubin, a fifth-round pick that turned into Marcus Mbow, and the financial flexibility to trade for Brian Burns, a star player who is four years younger. They made out just fine.
As for Lawrence, Valentine notes he wanted out:
Lawrence received a one-year, $28 million extension after his trade to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Giants, I have been told by a reliable source, offered Lawrence more years and dollars than that. He did not want the Giants’ money. He wanted to be elsewhere. The Giants obliged. They ended up with the 10th pick in the draft in return and used it to select Francis Mauigoa, thus fortifying their offensive line.
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Today’s Giant news
7 big questions ahead of NFL training camp | SB Nation
Are the Giants for real? This might be a question we can’t answer until the season really begins, but the first step is seeing how this young team progresses under John Harbaugh. Landing Harbs was a mammoth get for the G-Men, and following the NFL Draft they boast one of the scariest pass rushes in the league, if they can put it all together.
The Giants open their training camp in West Virginia with an eye on bonding and team building. That will be a crucial first step to see if these players can buy into the Harbaugh philosophy, and whether or not that translates on the field. If this all comes together then the Giants could be legitimate NFC East contenders, if not — well, it’ll be another disappointing season.
Rings always talk the loudest
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Likely’s presence changes how the Giants will play schematically. He could see a lot of time in the slot with Johnson in the traditional tight end role. The 6-foot-4, 241-pound Likely had a down season in 2025, catching only 27 passes for 307 yards and a touchdown.
The off-script plays that Dart is so good at outside the pocket and on the move fit Likely’s game, too. He thrived with Lamar Jackson in that aspect of the passing attack. What Harbaugh has done with the offensive coaching staff with the Giants: it’s as if he paid attention to the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the coaches he hired and fit them together to balance each other out. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy’s strength is in innovative design of the offense, drawing from the Andy Reid playbook.
5 NFL players set to return in 2026 after missing all of last season | PFF
WR Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants. Beckham’s stint with Miami two years ago was a very forgettable one. He caught only nine passes for 55 yards across nine games, culminating in a career-worst 50.1 PFF receiving grade and 0.52 yards per route run. However, the former star was a reliable contributor for John Harbaugh’s Ravens in 2023 with a 77.0 receiving mark and 2.5% drop rate.
The two-time All-Pro being back in blue for the first time since 2018 is nostalgic in and of itself, but he should also have a legitimate shot at being a meaningful option in the passing game. With wideout Malik Nabers still recovering from an ACL and meniscus tear, Beckham is now part of a receiving corps that seems to lack every-down difference-makers through the first few weeks. It remains to be seen how effective the 33-year-old can still be in 2026, but targets are there to be seized from Jaxson Dart in New York.
20 Questions in 20 Days: Rookies to watch | Giants.com
John Schmeelk: Colton Hood, a second-round pick, will compete over the summer for playing time as an outside cornerback with Greg Newsome II and Deonte Banks. He wants to press wide receivers and be physical near the line of scrimmage. Third-round pick Malachi Fields will also compete for playing time as an outside wide receiver. At 6-4 1/2 and 217 pounds, he is the team’s biggest wide receiver and should be able to win down the field. He has already made a handful of incredible catches, some one-handed, during spring practice.
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CB Greg Newsome II. The New York Giants signed Greg Newsome II to a one-year, $8 million deal. Big Blue should’ve used that cap space on another free-agent cornerback or a position of need. After three years of solid coverage with the Cleveland Browns, Newsome has struggled as a pass defender. Over the last two seasons, he’s allowed nine touchdowns and passer ratings above 100.
It’s worth noting that Cleveland traded Newsome to the Jacksonville Jaguars last October. He gave up five touchdowns and allowed a 107.5 passer rating in 12 outings with the Jaguars. If he doesn’t break out of a coverage funk, the Giants will have their newly signed $8 million cornerback on the sideline for most of the season.
The most interesting stories on and off the field you missed this NFL offseason | The Athletic
No one is staying booked and busy like quarterback Jameis Winston. The Giants veteran backup is working as a FIFA World Cup Correspondent for Fox Sports, and he’s been traveling the country as he intermingles with soccer fans. He’s been knighted by England fans, hung out with a goat in honor of Lionel Messi, found himself in the orange Dutch army and even helped Japanese fans clean up the stadium post-match. All that in addition to his work as the Giants’ backup, where he’s also spoken up after controversy. All this and the Giants veterans don’t report to training camp until late July!
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