The New York Giants haven't exactly been known for knocking the NFL Draft out of the park over the last decade. While they've made some solid picks in recent years, general manager Joe Schoen still has some draft skeletons in his closet.
While obvious draft busts like Evan Neal and Josh Ezeudu have already been mostly given up on, a few other names are one bad season away from joining the list.
These three Giants players need solid seasons in 2026 to turn their reputations around.
These New York Giants are fighting for their reputations in 2026
DL Darius Alexander
Alexander is the most recent draft pick on this list, but he's not the youngest. The defensive lineman was an older prospect coming into the league, leading to high expectations coming out of the gate. He didn't live up to those expectations, struggling to carve out a significant role as a rookie. He was solid as a pass rusher but horrific in run defense, missing almost 20% of his tackles.
He's expected to take on a much bigger role in 2026, especially after the season-ending Achilles tendon injury suffered by Roy Robertson-Harris. Now a likely starter, the 2025 third-round pick will need to improve his play against the run dramatically to maintain his spot in the lineup.
CB Deonte Banks
We're deep into the Deonte Banks experience, and it's been a mixed bag so far. The cornerback has been unable to stick with NFL receivers, especially in man coverage. A former first-round pick, Banks hasn't come anywhere close to meeting pre-draft expectations.
Surprisingly, he's fighting for a starting spot this offseason. If he can beat out Greg Newsome II and rookie Colton Hood, Banks will have one final chance to turn his Giants career around. Heading into the final year of his rookie contract, the cornerback is on a short leash.
SAF Tyler Nubin
Nubin had a strong rookie campaign, but he was much worse in his second season. He missed nearly 17% of his tackles (a common theme in New York's defense) and allowed a passer rating of 119.5 when targeted.
The third-year safety is still expected to start alongside Jevon Holland in 2026, but he's one bad season from losing his spot on the depth chart. A former second-round pick, Nubin needs to translate some of the ball production he had in college to regain his reputation as a ball-hawking safety.
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