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Giants news, 2/17: Kayvon Thibodeaux trade idea, Isaiah Likely, Jameis Winston

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

From Big Blue View

Other Giant observations

2026 NFL Outlook: 3 rebuilders, 3 contenders | PFF

Contenders: New York Giants. The Giants made an early statement ahead of free agency by hiring former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh — a move that signals an intention to compete sooner rather than later. The addition of offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is somewhat less inspiring, but turning the defense over to Dennard Wilson, who inherits a talented defensive line, is a strong complementary move.

Ultimately, though, the Giants’ trajectory hinges on the development of quarterback Jaxson Dart (68.4 PFF grade, 27th among quarterbacks). The 2025 No. 25 overall pick flashed playmaking ability as a rookie, showing he can create when structure breaks down. But the Giants must do more to support him this offseason. Injuries played a role in 2025. Malik Nabers (71.9 PFF grade), Cam Skattebo (80.5) and Andrew Thomas (90.3) all missed time. Even so, New York needs another infusion of offensive talent and additional help in the secondary. The Giants aren’t full-fledged contenders yet, but they are clearly trending upward.

Jameis Winston wants to play for another decade

So there are questions about bringing guys with different ideas together. How will Brian Callahan’s ideas in the pass game mesh with Greg Roman’s run game, and how will those elements flow into OC Matt Nagy’s system? How does tight ends coach Tim Kelly fit into that tapestry? And on the other side, how will Frank Bush’s experience and Charlie Bullen’s institutional knowledge of the roster help DC Dennard Wilson be his best?

Being able to manage all that should be one of the advantages Harbaugh brings to the Giants. When I think of Nagy with Jaxson Dart, I think of the spectacular season the new OC helped Alex Smith put together in 2017, with so many spread-offense elements baked in not just to maximize Smith but to develop Patrick Mahomes. All the movement stuff the Chiefs were doing that year, in theory, should apply organically to Dart’s physical skill. Bottom line, I love the way all of this looks, and the way the roster looks as it relates to the schemes coming is one reason Harbaugh was attracted to New York.

The Giants have three significant free agents in right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott and wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. All three play premium positions. The franchise numbers for those positions just make it impossible to consider them significant possibilities.

Consider that wide receiver and offensive tackle are projected to be north of $25 million and cornerback isn’t too far off at over $20 million. That’s too steep for Eluemunor, Robinson and Flott. New York is expected to have interest in bringing all three back. Just not in the franchise tag range.

2026 NFL Free Agency: The Top 100 Players Available and Potential Fits | Fox Sports

To the Giants are Ravens C Tyler Linderbaum and Bears S C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Leaving the Giants will be Wan’Dale Robinson (Titans) and Russell Wilson (Chiefs). Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and cornerback Cor’Dale Flott were not listed in the top 100 list.

Bobby Okereke: Okereke’s three seasons in New York reflect the fickle nature of free agency. He looked like a home run signing during his first season when he was a playmaker at the heart of the defense, but his play has declined steeply the past two seasons. There’s been speculation that was caused by the scheme change from Wink Martindale to Shane Bowen, but the 29-year-old simply looks as if he has lost a step. Okereke recorded only two tackles for a loss last season, which illustrates the lack of disruption in his tackle total. Cutting Okereke for $9 million in cap savings has to be a strong consideration this offseason.

2026 NFL Offseason Trade Block Big Board After Super Bowl LX | Bleacher Report

8. Deonte Banks, CB, New York Giants. Projected Trade Value: 2026 5th-round pick. With new head coach John Harbaugh kicking off a new era in New York, moving on from Banks could make some sense. His trade value wouldn’t be particularly high right now, but Harbaugh will want to craft his own roster, and underwhelming players from the previous regime may not fit. Moving Banks would also save $2.6 million in cap space.

For a team in need of cornerback help, a trade for Banks would represent a budget-friendly bet on draft pedigree and upside. Banks will only turn 25 on March 3. Potential Suitors: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars.

New York has $6.9 million in salary cap space, per Mark Chichester of Pro Football Focus, which ranks 20th in the NFL. It is always concerning when a last-place squad is strapped for cash.

The Giants can create roughly $15 million in savings by releasing running back Devin Singletary, kicker Graham Gano, and offensive lineman James Hudson III — approximately $5 million in dead money combined. New York can clear even more cap space by cutting inside linebacker Bobby Okereke and guard Jon Runyan Jr. A whopping $14.751 million will come off the books if the front office decides to trade edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.