We’re less than 100 days from the New York Giants season opener against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium.
This is one of the most important seasons in the history of the Giants franchise, as they are hopeful that new head coach John Harbaugh can turn them from doormats to contenders.
Ultimately, it will be the team’s star players, such as Jaxson Dart and Brian Burns, that will have the biggest impact on whether the team will have a winning record. But some of the new players on the roster will be X-Factors in determining the team’s success.
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Isaiah Likely
The biggest splash Big Blue made in free agency was signing tight end Isaiah Likely to a three-year, $40 million contract this offseason. With the uncertainty surrounding Malik Nabers‘ knee, the 26-year-old tight end might be the focal point of the passing game for the first month of the season.
Playing behind Mark Andrews in his time with the Baltimore Ravens, Likely never saw more than 60 targets or had 500 receiving yards in a season. That will all change this year as he’s at the top of the tight end depth chart.
If he can have a breakout season, it will bode well for the offense even if Nabers misses time.
Colton Hood
The Giants are very high on their second-round pick in corner Colton Hood, and believe it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a starter. With the team thin at corner, it’s imperative that he fully grasp the defensive scheme and get acclimated to the speed of the NFL.
New York’s first two opponents are the Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams, who had the top two passing offenses in 2025. To start his NFL career, Hood will be lined up across the likes of CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams.
If the rookie corner can hold his own and not get embarrassed when he’s matched up against these elite receivers, he’ll be able to hold his own against any wideout in the league.
Darnell Mooney
While Likely could be the focal point of the passing game if Nabers misses time at the start of the season, Darnell Mooney could be thrust to WR1 depending on how Darius Slayton performs this summer.
Although Mooney is new to the team, he’s familiar with new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, from their time together with the Chicago Bears from 2020 to 2021. In 2021, Mooney set career-highs in receptions (81) and receiving yards (1,055).
The 28-year-old receiver has also been working out with his new quarterback since April in trying to build rapport and get on the same page. Being the wideout with the most experience in his offense, Mooney will be relied upon often this season.
Francis Mauigoa
Whether New York’s offensive line can be above average in 2026 will weigh heavily upon the play of Francis Mauigoa. The 10th overall pick has already made the transition to right guard, and so far the transition has gone well.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound lineman has already said that he’s willing to die to protect his quarterback, which is the mentality the line needs to have after they gave up 48 sacks last season. The physicality that Mauigoa brings will not only help keep Dart upright, but it will also help the ground game, which ranked fifth in the NFL in 2025.
Mauigoa and new fullback Patrick Ricard will wear down opposing defenses and make life easier for the rest of the offense late in games.
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