Is the NFC East ripe for the taking?
The New York Giants have significantly restructured their roster this offseason through marquee free-agent signings and strategic selections in the 2026 NFL draft. After finishing last in the NFC East with a 4-13 record, New York has positioned itself to contend for the division title in 2026.
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame believes that the Giants are one of five teams with the strongest chance to go from worst to first in their division following the draft.
The Giants have completely started anew over the past 12 months, inserting rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart into the starting lineup before hiring veteran coach John Harbaugh to lead on the field and in personnel decisions.
In the draft, Harbaugh had to be thrilled. With a pair of top-10 picks (the latter coming from the Bengals in the Dexter Lawrence II trade), the Giants got a field general in linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese before landing guard/tackle Francis Mauigoa. Reese was one of the best players in the draft despite being 20 years old, having amassed 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks while earning All-American honors last year.
On Day 2, New York once again found value and talent in corner Colton Hood and receiver Malachi Fields. Hood is a physical corner of Tennessee who should help replace the loss of Cor’Dale Flott in free agency. Meanwhile, Fields provides a quality route-runner, who at 218 pounds, can box out defenders.
Every year, there’s always a worst-to-first team in a division. The Giants have a strong case to be that team in 2026, and this draft is a big reason why.
New York was among the teams — along with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles — that secured some of the draft’s most impactful first-round selections. The Giants selected Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the No. 5 overall pick and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10 overall.
Additional notable picks on Days 2 and 3 included Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood (No. 37 overall) and Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields (No. 74 overall).
The addition of Mauigoa further bolsters an already improving offensive line, even as Greg Van Roten’s free-agency status remains uncertain. Quarterback Jaxson Dart showed considerable promise as a rookie in 2025 and is poised to take a significant step forward in 2026 during his first full season as the starter. The Giants’ receiving corps and running game are well-equipped to provide him with the necessary support.
The Philadelphia Eagles, the defending NFC East champions, bolstered their roster — particularly the secondary — in free agency after an 11-6 season in 2025. However, the expected trade of wide receiver A.J. Brown later in the offseason carries the risk of weakening their receiving corps. Philadelphia selected Makai Lemon at No. 20 overall as a potential replacement.
The Giants finished just 3.5 games behind the second-place Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1) last season. Dallas’ balanced offense and defense will present a formidable challenge for New York.
The same can be said for the Washington Commanders, who will aim to recapture the momentum from their 2024 NFC Championship run once quarterback Jayden Daniels returns healthy in 2026.
Still, the Giants possess the talent and firepower — particularly on defense — to win the NFC East in a division known for its volatility.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants among teams who could go from worst to first in 2026
Reporting by Matt Legros, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
