The questions include: how will Harbaugh approach his first combine with the Giants, what’s going on with key free agents, what will the Giants do with the No. 5 pick and what’s the latest on the injured Giants.
Revisiting Jaxson Dart’s Combine performance
The questions include: what has been your role since Harbaugh got up and running, are there planned changes to the football decision-making committee, what will be your involvement in player contract negotiations moving forward, and is there any progress on your contract extension.
Things are peachy right now, or at least that is what every indication suggests. The two also have not faced any trial or tribulation. Harbaugh was focused on rounding out his staff and Schoen on scouting.
This is the first time it all comes together. They will evaluate players together. They will begin putting together a free-agent plan. They will figure out who they want to target and retain. If the two survive this test together, a long-term partnership might work beyond the NFL draft.
The on-field impact of John Harbaugh’s changes to the Giants‘ organizational structure will begin to crystallize here at this week’s 2026 NFL Combine. The new dynamic between Harbaugh, senior VP of football operations and strategy Dawn Aponte and GM Joe Schoen will turn from a conceptual and partially theoretical conversation to a living reality as the Giants begin building their roster for the fall.
A major curiosity is how Aponte’s “management” of the “salary cap” and “player contract negotiations” will alter how the Giants value and approach players. Will Schoen be speaking for the Giants’ belief in a player’s value when he meets with an agent here in Indianapolis? Will Aponte be taking the lead in that conversation, with Schoen handling only the football evaluation?
Cam Skattebo’s averaged 3 or more yards after contact on more than 40% of his carries
The Giants ranked on this list include Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (60), offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (72), guard Greg Van Roten (76), and quarterback Russell Wilson (83) .
New York Giants: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Round 1). As has been the case for years in the Big Apple though, the Giants need to improve the offensive line in front of Dart. And Bleacher Report’s own Brandon Thorn believes the smartest path to doing so is selecting Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa.
“New York is ushering in a new era with Harbaugh and a promising young QB in Jaxson Dart yet just one bona fide building block along the offensive line in left tackle Andrew Thomas,” Thorn said. “Last year’s starting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is an unrestricted free agent. The team will need a long-term answer at the position regardless if he is brought back or not. Mauigoa is built similarly to Eluemunor but is sturdier and stronger, while possessing an elite anchor.”
INSIDE LINEBACKER. Analysis: Will Harbaugh decide to cut Bobby Okereke? If so, the Giants will need a new middle linebacker. They also have plenty of questions at the other inside linebacker spot.
Prospects to watch: Arvell Reese (Ohio State), Sonny Styles (Ohio State), CJ Allen (Georgia), Anthony Hill (Texas), Jake Golday (Cincinnati), Josiah Trotter (Missouri), Deontae Lawson (Alabama), Kyle Louis (Pittsburgh), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), Taurean York (Texas A&M).
5. New York Giants: T Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL). New York should aim to get younger on the offensive line this offseason, particularly with right guard Greg Van Roten and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor entering free agency. Mauigoa would be an immediate starter on the right side after recording an excellent 87.0 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025.
37. New York Giants: DI Christen Miller, Georgia
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