The New York Giants had been nearer to competing than their report would counsel a 12 months in the past, however near profitable nonetheless isn’t a win.
There have been all kinds of the explanation why the Giants had been in a position to give playoff caliber groups all they may deal with, however not fairly shut out video games once they had the prospect.
One of many largest keys to creating the leap from shut losses to closing out video games will likely be for the under-the-radar gamers to step up. This week we requested you which ones of the Giants’ much less heralded gamers will set up themselves because the hidden gem on the roster. In different phrases, which participant you’ll inform followers of one other staff to be careful for as an affect participant they may not learn about.
Your alternative this week? Defensive deal with Darius Alexander.
All advised, I can’t say I’m too shocked by these outcomes.
It simply is sensible that Giants followers need to see Alexander step up and develop into “that guy” who impacts the sport, contemplating the considerations surrounding the line of defense. And the place is ripe to supply a hidden gem as nicely, contemplating defensive deal with is a (typically) thankless place. Alexander has the traits to be a participant who makes an affect as each a run defender and go rusher, with good measurement and near-elite athleticism for his body.
Alexander was a non-factor to start out his rookie season after coping with an undisclosed damage for many of final spring and summer season. Nevertheless, he improved constantly over the second half of the season as soon as he acquired wholesome and performed beneath Charlie Bullen. He may very well be a participant primed to make an actual leap in 2026 with a 12 months and a full NFL low season beneath his belt.
There was considerably extra optimism for the Giants to this point in 2026 than we’ve seen previously for a staff coming off of a 4-win season. There’s at all times a basic development towards optimism within the offseason, however this 12 months’s optimism has extra substance than in earlier years. That’s largely being pushed by the hope that John Harbaugh can construct the sort of tradition in New York that made the Baltimore Ravens the mannequin of consistency and competitiveness for the final 18 years.
Proper now the Giants are nonetheless thought of the least-likely staff to win the NFC East, however we’re additionally seeing extra optimism from Vegas. The Giants’ over/beneath continues to be solely at 7.5 per FanDuel, however that’s nonetheless 2 wins higher than the over/beneath of 5.5 previous to the 2025 season.
Talking personally, I’m excited to see every of those gamers in coaching camp and the preseason. We’ve already talked about Alexander, however I’m equally intrigued by the opposite gamers and the way they carry out beneath the brand new regime.
Defenses sometimes want three good corners and three good safeties to successfully fight trendy offenses. Ar’Darius Washington’s versatility to be a “nickel” who blurs the strains between slot nook and security might make him a precious piece for the protection.
Matt Nagy and Brian Callahan have each proven an inclination towards versatile backs, and Tyrone Tracy may be very versatile. On the identical time, the Giants have been most profitable with counter runs over the past couple years, so Tracy is perhaps an unexpectedly good match with Greg Roman’s love of energy runs.
Lastly, John Michael Schmitz has improved every season, and the situations is perhaps proper for him to blossom the way in which related facilities have previously. Including Francis Mauigoa and holding Jermaine Eluemunor might give the remainder of the road the scale and power to permit JMS to win with leverage, athleticism, and positioning. Pairing huge guards and tackles with smaller facilities is a potent mixture, as we’ve seen with Tyler Linderabum (300-305), Jason Kelce (280-295), and Weston Richburg (290-295).
Actually, if the Giants need to begin placing away these shut video games, they’ll want every of those gamers (and extra) to step up and have a constructive affect.
