Giants Eyeing Specialists in 2026 NFL Draft

New head coach John Harbaugh looks to bolster special teams with potential draft picks.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:58am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football field and players, conveying the strategic focus on special teams that new Giants head coach John Harbaugh is expected to bring to the team.Harbaugh's focus on special teams could lead the Giants to target specialists in the 2026 NFL Draft.Today in Jacksonville

The New York Giants have undergone a special teams overhaul under new head coach John Harbaugh, bringing in a new punter, placekicker, and long snapper. While the Giants are not expected to use one of their seven draft picks on a kicker, Harbaugh's history as a special teams coordinator could lead the team to target specialists like Dominic Zvada (Michigan), Trey Smack (Florida), Drew Stevens (Iowa), or Will Ferrin (BYU) in the later rounds.

Why it matters

The Giants' special teams struggled in recent seasons, so Harbaugh is making it a priority to rebuild that unit through free agency and the draft. As a former special teams coordinator, Harbaugh values that side of the game and may be willing to invest a mid-to-late round pick on a specialist if the right player is available.

The details

The Giants have already signed punter Jordan Stout, placekicker Jason Sanders, and long snapper Zach Triner in free agency. Gunner Olszewski was re-signed to handle punt return duties. While the team is not expected to use a premium pick on a kicker, Harbaugh's history with Justin Tucker in Baltimore could lead the Giants to target players like Zvada, Smack, Stevens, or Ferrin if they fall to the later rounds.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26, 2026.

The players

John Harbaugh

The new head coach of the New York Giants, who previously served as the special teams coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.

Dominic Zvada

A placekicker prospect from the University of Michigan who the Giants may target in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Trey Smack

A placekicker prospect from the University of Florida who the Giants may target in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Drew Stevens

A placekicker prospect from the University of Iowa who the Giants may target in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Will Ferrin

A placekicker prospect from Brigham Young University who the Giants may target in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“So, if the Giants and John Harbaugh fall in love with Dominic Zvada (Michigan), Trey Smack (Florida), Drew Stevens (Iowa) or Will Ferrin (BYU), who knows?”

— Paul Schwartz, Author

What’s next

The Giants will continue to evaluate specialists in the lead-up to the 2026 NFL Draft, with the potential to target one in the later rounds if the right player is available.

The takeaway

John Harbaugh's history as a special teams coordinator suggests the Giants will place a premium on rebuilding that unit through free agency and the draft. While they may not use a premium pick on a kicker, Harbaugh could look to add a specialist in the middle-to-late rounds if the right prospect falls to them.