Giants news, 5/12: Giants to open at home against Cowboys, Colton Hood, Arvell Reese

While the Week 1 line between the two teams is tight, oddsmakers give the Cowboys a much higher ceiling. The Cowboys have -105 odds to make the playoffs, -155 odds to go Over 8.5 wins, and the second-shortest odds (+225) to win the NFC East. The Giants have the longest odds (+600) to win the NFC East, -110 odds on each side of their 7.5 win total Over/Under, and +250 odds to make the playoffs.

Arvell Reese on proving himself

Giants and Jets are offseason winners: Three reasons each downtrodden New York team is on the rise | NFL.com

Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks cited three main reason Giants fans should be optimistic coming into the 2026: The John Harbaugh factor, A wealth of linebacking riches, and Jaxson Dart’s continued growth. On Dart, Brooks wrote:

The Giants have upgraded the personnel around Dart to allow the second-year pro to take another step forward in his development as a franchise quarterback. New offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has experience tutoring young quarterbacks, showing an ability to tailor game plans to their strengths while simultaneously maximizing his top offensive weapons. The former head coach guided the Chicago Bears to a division title in his first season on the job with a second-year quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky. Moreover, Nagy’s experience with Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City should help him teach Dart how to play winning football in New York. From managing the game to understanding when to jump into playmaking mode, the soon-to-be 23-year-old will benefit from having a quarterback guru with a championship pedigree as his play-caller.

One reason for optimism for every team after rookie minicamps | CBSSports.com

Winning culture back in the Big Apple. With just three winning seasons since their last Super Bowl win, the Giants needed drastic changes, especially in culture. That’s exactly what they have in John Harbaugh, who is determined to quickly bring the Giants back to championship contention.

With Harbaugh heavily involved, the Giants added a slew of proven veterans during free agency, including several former Ravens. In addition to improving the defense, Harbaugh also improved the situation for Jaxson Dart by adding several new pass-catchers and restocking the offensive line with first-round pick Francis Mauigoa and veterans Lucas Patrick and Daniel Faalele.

John Harbaugh has a history of UDFA success stories. Who in this Giants class is next? | The Athletic

An undrafted rookie made the 53-man roster in 17 of John Harbaugh’s 18 seasons in Baltimore, so the New York Giants should be an attractive destination for undrafted free agents.

Those Harbaugh UDFAs include three players who are on the Giants’ roster: six-time Pro Bowl fullback Pat Ricard, safety Ar’Darius Washington and safety Beau Brade. Two undrafted free agents signed by the Giants last offseason saw action as rookies — wide receiver Beaux Collins and wide receiver Dalen Cambre, who appeared in seven games after getting no guaranteed money to sign.

2026 Offseason Report Cards for Every NFL Team | Bleacher Report

New York Giants. Grade: B+. John Harbaugh’s hire alone makes the New York Giants better. General manager Joe Schoen and the front office improved the roster, too. The Ravens-ification of the Giants’ personnel was in full effect, as evidenced by the signings of tight end Isaiah Likely, fullback Patrick Ricard, guard Daniel Faalele, safety Ar’Darius Washington and punter Jordan Stout. It’s a solid approach to help in the transition.

Likely provides more than a familiar face, though. The move tight end can quickly become Jaxson Dart’s security blanket in the passing game. Malik Nabers will be back from last season’s torn ACL, but Likely gives the Giants offense another credible mismatch-creator. With a pair of top-10 draft picks thanks to the Dexter Lawrence trade, the Giants stood pat and landed Arvell Reese to prove more flexibility among the team’s defensive front. Francis Mauigoa, who was taken five slots later, adds a level of physicality not previously seen among New York’s offensive line. The organization also improved its overall talent level at cornerback and wide receiver with the Day 2 selections of Colton Hood and Malachi Fields.

5 questions facing the New York Giants secondary | USAToday.com

Is Deonte Banks salvageable? “I know Banks. I remember evaluating him coming out. He’s a Maryland Terp, and I’m a Maryland Terp,” new coordinator, Dennard Wilson, said last month at the beginning of the Giants’ offseason workout program. “I had just a little bit of background with him. He’s a talented player. He’s big. He can run. He brings an element of physicality, but he’s had an up-and-down career thus far.”

“In terms of Banks, I think we have two great DB coaches in (defensive pass coordinator/secondary coach) Donald (D’Alesio) and (defensive backs coach) Addison (Lynch) that does an excellent job in teaching DB play, footwork, technique, eyes. I think it’s going to be beneficial to all of them. Tae will have the opportunity to go out there and get better. We’re going to put things on his plate, try to make things as simple as they can be in terms of conceptual teaching, and that’s for everybody.

Around the league

The 3 best moves of the Cowboys’ offseason | Blogging the Boys

Washington Commanders re-sign CB Antonio Hamilton after rookie minicamp | Hogs Haven

Chargers agree to terms with TE David Njoku | NFL.com

‘Good chance’ Bo Nix is limited participant at Broncos minicamp in June, says Sean Payton | Yahoo.com

QB Anthony Richardson giving Colts something to think about | ESPN.com

Steelers’ Chris Boswell matches Brandon Aubrey as NFL’s highest-paid kicker: Source | The Athletic

Report: Aaron Rodgers did not meet with the Steelers over the weekend | Pro Football Talk

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