Giants news, 4/28: Depth chart, draft review, remaining questions

How do the Giants fill out the Dexter Lawrence-less defensive line? General manager Joe Schoen said the Giants will stay in touch with the agents of veterans DJ Reader, Shelby Harris and Benito Jones. The Giants might even have a “couple more” veterans visit. The bottom line is the Giants will add a veteran to the mix. Drafting Bobby Jamison-Travis in the sixth round isn’t enough

Giants receive high marks in composite 2026 draft grades

Albert Breer’s NFL Draft Takeaways: How the Rams Landed on Ty Simpson | SI.com

The Giants may have landed the two biggest badasses in the draft. That doesn’t mean Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa are going to be the class’s two best players. Or even that they’ll be hits. But, in taking Reese at No. 5 and then Mauigoa at No. 10, New York got tougher and meaner, for sure, and harder-edged too for the John Harbaugh era.

Clearly, there’s a type of guy they’re looking for, that Harbaugh’s looking for, and that organization has historically coveted. “We’re gonna be the Giants again,” said one staffer. They got two guys (and you can throw outsized Notre Dame receiver Malachi Fields, their third-round pick, into that group as well) that certainly should help them get there.

Report: New York Giants jumped Miami Dolphins for Malachi Fields | USAToday.com

Fields had reportedly been on head coach John Harbaugh’s radar leading up to draft night. The Giants were able to trade up and secure the promising receiver in the third round, sending the No. 105 and No. 145 overall picks along with a 2027 fourth-round selection to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the 74th overall pick.

Fields was a highly coveted prospect heading into the draft. The Miami Dolphins, who held the 75th overall pick, were reportedly very interested in him before the Giants moved up to select the playmaker.

NFL draft shines light on John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen’s possible long-term Giants chemistry | New York Post

It was one of those questions that arises after a team completes its draft class. How many undrafted guys do you expect to sign? Is it a fixed number, or is that number flexible?

What followed was another snippet of insight into how head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen — the top of the Giants brain trust — are getting along.

The end of the draft marked the end of Joe Schoen’s trial period. What now? | The Athletic

“Joe and I have been working together every single day,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, hours on end, whether it’s planning or organizing or just talking about players or watching tape again over and over again on these guys. I feel like it’s gone very well. I think if you look at the draft and you want to talk about results, we’ll talk about results down the road. We have to find out. We’ll see. It’s like all these draft classes. You don’t know until we get out there and start playing. On the surface right now, I feel great about it. I don’t feel we could have done any better.”

Those don’t sound like the words of someone preparing to utilize his direct line to ownership to make a power play and replace Schoen. But if there is going to be a change, there’s precedent for it to happen following the draft.

Fans are talking with their money after the draft

2026 NFL Draft Grades: Analyzing All 32 Teams’ Classes | FOX Sports

The John Harbaugh era started off in true “Big Blue” fashion with arguably the best overall prospect stolen at No. 5 overall and the best blocker a few picks later. Arvell Reese is a virtual ball of clay whose ability as a rusher and off-ball linebacker should unleash the talent of recent first-round picks Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux, among others.

And while he won’t get as much attention, I’m similarly excited about Francis Mauigoa. He starred at right tackle for Miami, but I like him as a mauling right guard for the Giants. Sixth-rounder J.C. Davis is also well-suited for this role, if needed. Cornerback Colton Hood bounced around at three different schools over his college career and that probably is what pushed him into the second round, but his tape this past season was outstanding. Wideout Malachi Fields has the size, strong hands and body control to become Jaxson Dart’s favorite downfield target, as well. And don’t sleep on BYU LB Jack Kelly, the type of blue-collar brawler Harbaugh has won with for years. Grade: B

Prisco’s NFL Draft 2026 grades for every team | CBSSports.com

Best Pick: Landing corner Colton Hood in the second round will prove to be a nice move. They’ve had some issues taking corners in recent years, but this won’t be one of them. He’s a good player.  Worst Pick: I didn’t like taking receiver Malachi Fields in the third. I know he’s a big-bodied receiver, but he doesn’t run that well.

The Skinny: Landing EDGE/LB Arvell Reese and guard Francis Mauigoa in the first round gives them two immediate starters, and I think Hood will make it three. That’s a nice haul. Sixth-round linebacker Jack Kelly is a player to watch down the road. Grade: B+

NFL Draft Grades 2026: Grading All 32 Teams After the Draft | Sharp Football Analysis

Instant impact: Francis Mauigoa, OL; Best value: Jack Kelly; LB Riskiest pick: Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB.

The success of this draft hinges on the development of Reese, a one-year starter who will likely be learning a new hybrid role in New York. He has an elite ceiling, but an inexperienced player learning a new position in the pros is inherently a bust risk. Grade: B+

2027 NFL Mock Draft Way-Too-Early Predictions | Bleacher Report

11. New York Giants: WR Nick Marsh, Indiana. Nick Marsh fits the mold of a prototypical boundary X-receiver. He has the frame and strength to flourish against physical coverage and short-area quickness to win early at the line of scrimmage.  Marsh and Malachi Fields bring the size to play on the outside in 11 personnel, which will then allow Malik Nabers to attack defenses from the slot. That setup sounds like bad news for opposing defenses, ensuring head coach John Harbaugh has the right pieces around Dart to accelerate and optimize the quarterback’s development.

Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft | PFF

11. New York Giants: DI David Stone, Oklahoma. On the surface, the Giants have needs everywhere except at quarterback and the two positions they addressed in the first round of the 2025 draft. Stone is not the same type of pass rusher as Dexter Lawrence — he has just three career sacks — but he is built like a mammoth and could help rejuvenate a defense that was pummeled by run-heavy offenses last season.

Around the league

Jeff Stoutland gives blunt assessment of Eagles’ 2025 struggles | Bleeding Green Nation

Bills hit ‘reset button’ with Keon Coleman, say best yet to come | ESPN.com

Vikings exercise Jordan Addison’s fifth-year option | Pro Football Talk

Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia accepts Ravens minicamp invite after going undrafted | The Athletic

Mike Tomlin explains Steelers departure: Lack of postseason ‘success’ led to decision to leave | NFL.com

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