Giants 2026 Projected Depth Chart: A Full Breakdown of Offense, Defense and Special Teams

Here's how the Giants' depth chart currently projects — and what to watch before Week 1.

New York Giants helmets | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Giants 53-man roster is set for now. And while there are likely to be tweaks made between now and their September 13 game against the Dallas Cowboys, here’s a look at how the depth chart currently projects, along with some notes for the offense, defense and special teams units.

Offense

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Position	Projected Starter	Backup	Backup	Backup
QB	Jaxson Dart	Jameis Winston
RB	Cam Skattebo	Najee Harris	Devin Singletary	Tyrone Tracy Jr.
TE	Isaiah Likely	Theo Johnson	Chris Manhertz	Thomas Fidone II
WR	Malik Nabers	Odell Beckham Jr.
WR	Malachi Fields	Darius Slayton
SWR	Darnell Mooney
LT	Andrew Thomas	J.C. Davis
LG	Jon Runyan	Aaron Stinnie
C	John Michael Schmitz	Bryan Hudson
RG	Francis Mauigoa
RT	Jermaine Eluemunor	Marcus Mbow
FB	Patrick Ricard

Takeaways

At first glance, five receivers seems light, especially if Malik Nabers is not fully ready for the first week.

Considering how tight end Isaah Likely is going to be deployed as a big slot receiver, the "shortage" of receivers doesn't appear to be that big of a deal so long as everyone stays healthy.

Malachi Fields projects ahead of Darius Slayton in our projected depth chart. We remain curious to see whether the Giants plan to move Slayton, whose quiet summer may have been due to his ongoing recovery and regaining strength from his sports hernia surgery in the offseason.

That said, Fields was PFF’s highest-graded and most productive of the Giants receivers this preseason, finishing with a 153.5 passer rating when targeted and hauling in both of his contested catch opportunities.

Fields only saw one snap in the slot, so he will clearly be more of an outside receiver. He is clearly part of the future and of the rookie brigade that makes up the core of Harbaugh’s Giants teams moving forward.

Skattebo is projected as the starting running back here, but it will be interesting to see if Najee Harris overtakes him for that spot once Harris fully gets back up to speed.

Defense

New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Position	Projected Starter	Backup	Backup
DE	Shelby Harris
NT	D.J. Reader	C.J. Okoye
DT	Darius Alexander	Bobby Jamison-Travis
RUSH	Brian Burns	Chauncey Golston
WLB	Arvell Reese	Jack Kelly	Zaire Barnes
MLB	Tremaine Edmunds	Micah McFadden
ROLB	Abdul Carter	Kayvon Thibodeaux
LCB	Paulson Adebo	Deonte Banks
SS	Tyler Nubin	Jason Pinnock
FS	Jevon Holland	Ar'Darius Washington	Elijah Campbell
RCB	Greg Newsome II	Colton Hood
NB	Dru Phillips	Nic Jones

Takeaways

The Giants didn’t make any waiver wire claims for the defensive line, which was something of a surprise.

Perhaps that’s an indication that if the Giants were looking to add to this unit, they either weren’t crazy about the options on the waiver wire or they were instead looking to add a guy to the practice squad for depth rather than automatically adding someone to the 53-man roster.

By taking that route, the Giants could then keep Bobby Jamison-Travis on the roster, thereby protecting him from being poached if he were to be placed on waivers in an attempt to get him to the practice squad.

Or maybe they really like what they have on the unit and don’t see a need to add to it.

Either way, it’s hard to fathom the Giants getting by with what they currently have on the defensive line, especially given how the depth players struggled against the run.

Remember, D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris are unlikely to play more than 60-65% of the snaps on any given week. If there is a big drop-off in production when they go off the field, that’s a problem.

Meanwhile, the starting cornerbacks haven’t officially been named by Harbaugh. Paulson Adebo made a late summer push to keep his starting job at left cornerback.

At last check, things were tight between Deonte Banks and Greg Newsome II for the other starting role. Did Banks do enough to win the job? We’ll find out when they take the field in the regular-season opener.

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Special Teams

New York Giants kicker Dominic Zvada | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Position	Projected Starter	Backup
P	Jordan Stout
PK/KO	Dominic Zvada
LS	Ben Mann
H	Jordan Stout
PR	[Braxton Berrios*]
KR	Deonte Banks	Devin Singletary

Takeaways

*The Giants have Braxton Berrios on the practice squad to serve as the punt returner and, potentially, kickoff returner.

New York gets to elevate him three times before needing to sign him to the 53-man roster. In taking this route, they can protect a young player such as tight end Thomas Fidone II from being poached during the first three weeks of the season when rosters are constantly being tweaked around the league.

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