The Giants hit the road again, scouring top NCAA programs for their 2026 NFL draft class. Confirmed stops included Oklahoma vs. Michigan (edge Mason Thomas, Derrick Moore; WR Deion Burks; TE Marlin Klein), Missouri vs. Kansas (OL Cayden Green), and Cincinnati vs. Bowling Green (DL Dontay Corleone). Schoen’s personal scouting remains uncertain, but the club broadened its data collection with local and national scouts across the country, eyeing multiple future options as Week 1 unfolded against Washington.

Giants scouts focused on a blend of immediate impact potential and long-term developmental talent, aiming to map out a class that could contribute across the defensive line, receiver room, and o-line. The Commanders loom as the Week 1 opponent, but the real focus is the 2026 draft board that will shape the franchise’s path for years to come.

New York Giants reshuffled 13 players’ numbers ahead of Week 1, with Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles landing No. 33, Beau Brade No. 34, Rico Payton No. 35, Dee Williams No. 36, Patrick McMorris No. 38, Zaire Barnes No. 46, Qadir Ismail No. 47, Swayze Bozeman No. 54, McClendon Curtis No. 66, Gunner Olszewski No. 80, Beaux Collins No. 81, Lil’Jordan Humphrey No. 89 and Jordon Riley No. 99.

Beaux Collins inherits a No. 81 linked to Amani Toomer’s Giants legacy, while Gunner Olszewski keeps No. 80, a bannered number in Giants lore. Abdul Carter’s number reveal drew attention as the rookie attempts to establish a role. The roster churn around 53-man cuts kept jersey availability fluid, shaping early-season depth charts and potential fantasy upside.

Russell Wilson stabilizes the Giants’ offense with a field-stretching profile, but his fantasy ceiling is capped by a troubling stat: a 19.6% positive-play rate last season, the worst among 32 projected 2025 starters. His big throws sit at 6.1%, a rate that shines in highlight reels but doesn’t translate to steady scoring relief.

Lamar Jackson appears as a ceiling-comp comparator, with Jackson delivering far more positive-grade impact than Wilson, underscoring Wilson’s volatility even when splash plays happen. The Giants signal Wilson as a one-year bridge, drafting Jaxson Dart in 2025 and keeping Jameis Winston waiting in the wings—setting up a potential quarterback transition as Dart develops.

For fantasy managers, Wilson is a risky QB2 whose floor is thin unless the offense unlocks more positive plays. The Dart/Winston contingency suggests upside only if Wilson falters or the rook proves ready, making dart-throwing, buy-low moves, or parallel-roster strategies prudent while monitoring early-season snaps.

Week 3 of the 2025 NFL preseason delivered a surge of standout depth performances graded by PFF. Yahya Black powered Pittsburgh with a 90.4 pass-rush grade and two sacks, signaling interior versatility. Jaxson Dart produced a top preseason passing grade (93.0) for NYG, backed by big-time throws. Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. sparked PHI’s edge, while DAL’s T.J. Bass anchored both run and pass protection. Cam Ward and Van Jefferson offered TEN a timely receiving spark, Courtland Sutton showcased elite involvement for DEN, and Patrick Mahomes closed Week 3 with top-tier efficiency for KC.