New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen’s roster-building philosophy is to have a team in place that could play a competitive game ahead of the NFL Draft. Obviously, upgrades could still come during and after the draft, but Schoen wants to have the roster positioned so that he’s not forced to draft to fill needs.
Schoen has mostly accomplished that goal during a busy free agency, with the Giants re-signing 10 players and adding 14 more from outside the organization. However, some positions still need an upgrade, so Schoen’s work isn’t done.
Here’s an early projection of what the Giants’ starting lineup will look like after the NFL Draft:
Quarterback
Starter: Russell Wilson
The Giants finally pulled the trigger on a veteran addition by signing Jameis Winston last week to a contract reportedly worth $8 million over two years. That’s a backup salary, which was demonstrated by Tuesday’s signing of Russell Wilson on a one-year contract reportedly worth $10.5 million guaranteed.
The Giants now have two veteran quarterbacks capable of starting as they enter the draft. The modest short-term commitments to Wilson and Winston shouldn’t affect the Giants’ draft plans. If they view Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders as a franchise QB, they should take him with the third pick. Sanders could then sit behind the veterans until he’s ready.
If the Giants aren’t sold on Sanders — or he’s off the board — they can ride with Wilson, who is 23-32 in his past four seasons as a starter. A quarterback then could be added later in the draft with a longer developmental timeline than a top pick.
Running back
Starter: Tyrone Tracy
Get used to hearing this about the offense: The Giants have the exact same running back room as last season. Tracy will look to build off a promising rookie year, entering his second season as the unquestioned No. 1 back. Devin Singletary is a solid veteran backup with a $6.3 million cap hit.
Wide receiver
Starters: Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson
The Giants’ depth chart at wide receiver is the same as last season. Slayton re-signed on a three-year, $35.6 million contract as there were no clear upgrades at wide receiver No. 2 in a weak market. The Giants are believed to be interested in upgrading the receiver room in the draft, but they have used the No. 6 (Nabers), No. 43 (Robinson) and No. 73 picks (Jalin Hyatt) on wide receivers in the past three years. Now with Slayton making legit WR No. 2 money, the Giants need to get a return on their investment rather than continuing to pour resources into the position.
Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter could be a wild card in this equation. If the Giants take Hunter with the third pick, he’d likely play on defense primarily, but the coaches would find a way to get the Heisman Trophy winner involved offensively.
Tight end
Starter: Theo Johnson
This is another spot with the depth chart intact from last season. It’s hard to see a premium addition at this position unless the Giants trade back from No. 3 and land in the range of Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. Remember that Brock Bowers, who went 13th to the Raiders, was a potential target if the Giants traded back last year. Otherwise, it appears the Giants are banking on Johnson to make a major leap in his second season.
Offensive line
Starters: LT Andrew Thomas, LG Jon Runyan, C John Michael Schmitz, RG Greg Van Roten, RT Jermaine Eluemunor
You guessed it: Another offensive position group with the same starters returning. The Giants re-signed Van Roten on a one-year contract worth up to $4 million, according to a league source. Re-signing the 35-year-old was a pivot after pursuing Will Fries, who signed a five-year, $87.7 million contract with the Vikings. Van Roten could be replaced by a rookie if the Giants draft one on Day 2.
The Giants took swing tackle more seriously this offseason by signing James Hudson to a two-year, $12 million contract. They could invest in more linemen in the draft, but there’s a real chance they have the same starting five as last season. That’s serviceable, but Thomas is the only standout among the group. Everything will hinge on his health, as his injuries have been death blows the past two seasons.
Defensive line
Starters: Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Day 2 draft pick
The Giants added veteran depth in free agency (Roy Robertson-Harris, Jeremiah Ledbetter) so they should have a better D-line rotation, but they’re still lacking an impact player next to Lawrence. Their second-round pick (No. 34) could be the sweet spot to find that type of player.
Outside linebacker
Starters: Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux
The Giants lost pass-rushing specialist Azeez Ojulari in free agency to the Eagles, but added the more versatile Chauncey Golston with a three-year, $18 million contract. Golston should fill a role similar to former Giant Jihad Ward, rotating on the edge on early downs before shifting inside on passing downs.
The Giants still need more pass-rush juice in their edge rotation. That could come in a big way if they land Penn State’s Abdul Carter with the third pick. Otherwise, the Giants appear poised to lean heavily on Burns and Thibodeaux again.
Inside linebacker
Starters: Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden
The Giants swapped out their veteran backups/special teamers in free agency — Chris Board and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles in, Matthew Adams and Ty Summers out — but Okereke and McFadden remain in featured roles. The Giants need to get Okereke playing at a higher level in his second season in defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s system. The Giants showed interest in linebacker prospects during the combine, so this position could be a sneaky Day 2 target.
Cornerback
Starters: Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips
The three-year, $54 million contract the Giants gave Adebo is a bet on the 25-year-old ascending into a legitimate No. 1 corner. If nothing else, the presence of Adebo allows Banks to slide back into the No. 2 corner role, which could help him regain confidence after a dreadful second season. The trickle-down effect of the Adebo addition also allows Cor’Dale Flott to become a useful backup outside and in the slot. Phillips showed promise as a rookie in the slot. The Giants have an extremely young core of cornerbacks that could grow into a strength if they reach their potential.
Again, Hunter would have a major impact on this position if he’s the third pick. He could send Banks to the bench. At the least, Hunter would likely rotate with Banks.
Safety
Starters: Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin
Holland should be the single biggest upgrade over last season if he returns to form after a down 2024 season. The talented 25-year-old is capable of filling a variety of roles, which is valuable in Bowen’s defense. Holland replaces Jason Pinnock, who was a solid player but was overexposed as a starter. Like with a lot of their 2024 draft picks, the Giants are counting on Nubin to make major strides in Year 2.
Special teams
Starters: K Graham Gano, P Jamie Gillan, LS Casey Kreiter
Safety
Starters: Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin
Holland should be the single biggest upgrade over last season if he returns to form after a down 2024 season. The talented 25-year-old is capable of filling a variety of roles, which is valuable in Bowen’s defense. Holland replaces Jason Pinnock, who was a solid player but was overexposed as a starter. Like with a lot of their 2024 draft picks, the Giants are counting on Nubin to make major strides in Year 2.
Special teams
Starters: K Graham Gano, P Jamie Gillan, LS Casey Kreiter
