​The early June to late July stretch is the NFL’s only true “off-season.” It’s the period when, ideally, no news is good news, and nothing of real consequence should be happening. While that may leave the New York Giants without daily headlines, the lull also gives us a chance to step back and view the NFL more broadly. Matt Okada of NFL.com offered his offseason grades for every team, placing the Giants on the high end of the curve with an A+ — the only A+ in the NFC and one of just two in the entire league.
Using NFL Pro data, insights, and NFL IQ, I’ve assessed each franchise’s signings, releases, trades, and draft picks — and the moves not made — to grade the overall offseason effort and to consider what it could mean for the 2026 season and beyond. Let’s dive into what Okada sees that sets the Giants apart this offseason.
Standout moves include hiring HC John Harbaugh and drafting LB Arvell Reese and OL Francis Mauigoa. The Giants launched the 2026 offseason with a bold move, bringing Harbaugh aboard after his stint with Baltimore. He wasted no time reshaping the roster in his image, bringing in four players who previously played for the Ravens, including breakout-tight end candidate Isaiah Likely, and notable defenders such as LB Tremaine Edmunds, CB Greg Newsome II, and DTs DJ Reader and Shelby Harris. The draft followed with a strong showing: Reese at No. 5, Mauigoa at No. 10, CB Colton Hood at No. 37, and WR Malachi Fields at No. 74. My colleague Gennaro Filice ranked their class second best among all 32 teams. The Giants appear to have improved across the board this offseason and are among my favorite sleeper teams for 2026.
As I wrote in response to Seth Walder’s ESPN offseason grades, this period is all about Jaxson Dart. From establishing a foundation and culture under Harbaugh to upgrading the coaching staff to help elevate Dart’s game and that of his teammates, building around the Giants’ young quarterback and putting him in position to succeed is the team’s primary priority for 2026. If they pull it off, the A+ grade will feel well earned.
That said, I concur that the Giants have had a very strong offseason. It’s not hard to imagine we’ll look back on Harbaugh’s hiring as a turning point in franchise history. It’s also plausible that Baltimore’s decision to move on from Harbaugh, combined with the Giants’ success in acquiring Reese, Mauigoa, and Hood, could prove to be the kind of fortunate turn that helps forge a “team of destiny.”
As Okada notes at the outset of his piece, a good (or great) offseason doesn’t guarantee a playoff berth. Yet it certainly seems the Giants have made smart moves that could pay off in the future.