Giants Rise in New Pre-draft Power Ranking Poll

New York Giants look to build on offseason changes and address key roster needs in upcoming NFL Draft

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:04pm

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A fractured, geometric painting in bold blue and red hues representing the Giants' football team and the overlapping challenges they face in the offseason and upcoming draft.A cubist interpretation of the Giants' offseason moves and upcoming draft challenges captures the team's quest to rebuild and return to relevance.NYC Today

The New York Giants have been a topic of discussion this offseason due to the drastic and mostly positive changes they've made, including the hiring of new head coach John Harbaugh. While the Giants have been successful in free agency, adding experienced players on team-friendly deals, not everyone is convinced the roster is ready to compete at a high level in 2026. One analyst, Allison Koehler of Pro Football Network, has the Giants ranked higher than other outlets but still has concerns about the team's remaining needs and limited draft capital.

Why it matters

The Giants are looking to return to relevance in the NFL after a disappointing 2025 season. The offseason moves, including the Harbaugh hire and free agent additions, have created optimism, but questions remain about the team's ability to address key needs through the draft with limited picks. How the Giants perform in the draft could determine if they can truly compete for the playoffs in 2026.

The details

The Giants struggled on both offense and defense in 2025, finishing 24th in offense and 23rd in defense. Much of the offensive issues stemmed from poor pass protection, as quarterback Jaxson Dart was sacked 35 times. The receiving corps also missed the presence of the injured Malik Nabers. The defensive interior and secondary were also problem areas. The Giants are expected to target the offensive line, wide receiver, and defensive back positions early in the draft to address these needs.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place on April 23rd.

The players

John Harbaugh

The new head coach of the New York Giants, hired to reshape the organization's culture and build on the team's existing talent.

Jaxson Dart

The Giants' young quarterback who struggled with pass protection and learning to navigate NFL defenses in 2025.

Malik Nabers

A wide receiver for the Giants who missed time due to injury in 2025 and is expected to return fully healthy.

Allison Koehler

A writer for Pro Football Network who has the Giants ranked higher than other outlets in her latest pre-draft power rankings, but still has concerns about the team's roster and draft capital.

Joe Schoen

The Giants' general manager who will be working in tandem with head coach John Harbaugh on the team's draft picks.

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What they’re saying

“The New York Giants struggled to gain traction throughout the 2025 season, finishing No. 24 in OFFi with a C- grade and No. 23 in DEFi with a D+ grade, highlighting issues on both sides of the ball.”

— Allison Koehler, Writer, Pro Football Network

“Much of the offensive inconsistency stemmed from poor protection, as Jaxson Dart was taken down 35 times, a number that must decrease for the unit to function more efficiently.”

— Allison Koehler, Writer, Pro Football Network

“New York enters the draft with seven picks and clear priorities, with wide receiver and offensive line topping the list of needs. Until those areas are addressed, it will be difficult for the Giants to show real improvement in 2026, although bringing in John Harbaugh and getting Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo healthy could help.”

— Allison Koehler, Writer, Pro Football Network

What’s next

The Giants will look to address their needs at wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive back in the upcoming NFL Draft on April 23rd. The relationship between new head coach John Harbaugh and GM Joe Schoen will be crucial as they work together to determine the team's draft strategy and selections.

The takeaway

The Giants have made significant offseason changes, but questions remain about the roster's ability to compete at a high level in 2026. How the team addresses its key needs through the draft will be crucial in determining if the Giants can return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.