The vibes surrounding the New York Giants were always going to be different once they hired head coach John Harbaugh. As it turns out, the Harbaugh Effect is real, as the Giants find themselves in first place in the NFC East with a 4-2-1 record seven games into the season. The Giants are used to having four wins total by the end of the season, not by late October. What makes it even more impressive is that the Giants are winning games with the likes of quarterback Jaxson Dart, defensive lineman Brian Burns, and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds sidelined for the rest of the season due to injuries.
As Giants fans know, this season was just the start of Harbaugh building the team in his image. That means there could be further turnover on the roster once this season is over. For the Giants, they have 22 players set to hit unrestricted free agency. So, Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen will have choices to make this offseason in terms who they should let stay and who they should let walk in free agency.
In terms of players the Giants need to be prioritizing re-signing this summer, here are three that stand out.
3 free agents the Giants should consider retaining after 2026 season
3. Greg Newsome, CB
This past offseason, there were questions about whether the cornerback room was good enough for them to contend. One of the additions Harbaugh made was signing former Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome to a one-year, $8 million contract. On paper, it wasn't a move that was boosted morale of Giants fans pessimistic about the secondary.
But Newsome has been really solid for the Giants through the first seven weeks of the season. In the season-opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Newsome allowed just one catch for eight yards on three targets, according to Pro Football Focus, and that was when facing the likes of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. In Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans, Newsome allowed three catches for 25 yards on seven targets. In a Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Newsome recorded his first interception with the team.
That's not to say Newsome has been perfect in every game he played in, but there are more positives than negatives. With the Giants having issues finding good cornerbacks in recent years, they shouldn't hesitate to keep Newsome around on a new contract.
2. Micah McFadden, LB
The Giants have seen that there is some potential around linebacker Micah McFadden. The issue was, he never really got a chance at significant playing time. Then last season, McFadden suffered a foot injury in the Giants' first game, which knocked him out for the remainder of the campaign But for McFadden, he is set to have increased responsibilities for the remainder of this season with Edmunds out with a chest injury.
McFadden got his first start of the season in Week 7 against the Houston Texans, where he wore the green dot on his helmet, meaning he transmits the play calls to his teammates. In the 27-21 overtime victory, McFadden recorded 10 total tackles and three run stops. He was a bit rough in terms of coverage, as he allowed eight receptions for 70 yards on 12 targets. But the tackling and run stopping is promising.
There is still plenty of season left, so McFadden's play could only improve. But if there is one thing the Giants have needed for years, it was sufficient depth at inside linebacker. It would be foolish to let McFadden walk in free agency, especially with Edmunds recovering from injury.
1. Deonte Banks, CB
The biggest surprise of the season has undoubtedly been cornerback Deonte Banks. Through the first three seasons of his career, he didn't look like the starting corner the Giants envisioned him being. As it turns out, all Banks needed was some competent coaching to get the most out of him.
Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson unlocked Banks, who has not only played well compared to his first three seasons, but has turned into a shutdown cornerback. In New York's Week 1 win over Dallas, Banks allowed three catches for 17 yards on six targets. Then in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals, Banks surrendered three catches for 19 yards on eight targets, while also securing the 36-24 victory on a walk-off pick six. In New York's Week 7 win over the Texans, Banks recorded two pass breakups while allowing three receptions for 10 yards on six targets.
This is the player the Giants fanbase was hoping they'd get straight out of college. However, all it took was for a coaching staff not made up of head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen to get the most ouf of him. But now, the Giants will have to pay up to keep Banks, as they refused to pick up his fifth-year option before the season. By having a strong season, Banks could hit free agency and cash-in on a lucrative contract. That would then force the Giants to try and match any offer he receives, or try to sign him to a deal before he hits free agency.
Regardless of the price tag, the Giants can't afford to let Banks walk. He's finally become the CB1 of the Giants, and they must keep him around for the foreseeable future.
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