Pro Football Rumors
Quite a bit has changed in New York as the Giants welcome a new staff and quite a few new players. Last year’s receiving corps was led by Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton, in the absence of Malik Nabers, with tight ends Theo Johnson and Daniel Bellinger supplementing the passing attack. Nabers returns in 2026, but the departure of Robinson in free agency opens the door for a number of newcomers to stake their claim on a significant role in New York’s offense.
The Giants know what they have in a healthy Nabers, and they know what they have in his absence. If available, he’ll be a main focus and favorite target for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart, and if he’s not, then he won’t. Slayton, for all his limitations, has carved out a consistent role with the Giants over the years. His production has dipped a bit with better options in the system, and he’s susceptible to drops, but he can be a strong compliment to Nabers when he’s at his best.
According to Dan Duggan, free agent addition Calvin Austin III should end up being the team’s starting slot receiver. He looked primed for a potential breakout campaign last year, after a decent sophomore season for the Steelers, but a limited passing attack killed any chances of that. Duggan also notes that the Giants are not expected to utilize a slot receiver too much. The addition of free agent signee Isaiah Likely alongside Johnson could result in a good number of two-tight end sets for New York next year.
In any case, veteran Braxton Berrios also seems likely to land a roster spot in New York. The All-Pro return man has dealt with injuries recently, but with Gunner Olszewski tearing his Achilles tendon in spring ball, Berrios seems to be a strong replacement, if he can stay healthy.
If Slayton doesn’t look like he can contribute like he did earlier in his career, New York has a decent collection of options both young and old to compete for targets. The Giants traded up to secure Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields in the third round. He’ll be simultaneously competing with and learning from a diverse group of veterans in Darnell Mooney, Odell Beckham Jr., and JuJu Smith-Schuster. All have seen strong seasons in the past — Mooney, most recently — but have struggled to make a consistent impact in recent years.
Currently, the team rosters six other receivers. While Isaiah Hodgins, Jalin Hyatt, Xavier Gipson, Dalen Cambre, Beaux Collins, and Ryan Miller may have been able to make decent cases for roster spots before the influx of veteran talent in the offseason, they may now struggle to even argue for special teams usage. A few names will likely stick around on the practice squad, but the Giants can only hold on to so many receivers, and a number of opportunities in New York may be ending as a result.
