The New York Giants aren’t one splash signing away from magically turning this thing around. Every offseason, a handful of big names shake loose due to cap reasons, and this year might be loaded.
If general manager Joe Schoen wants Year 1 under new head coach John Harbaugh to be as awesome as it can be, he can’t afford to sit on his hands. The G-Men still have holes all over the roster, and some of the best value every offseason comes from teams forced to make cap cuts. That means paying attention to situations around the league and being ready to move when the numbers stop making sense elsewhere.
One realistic cap casualty target on every NFL roster for Giants
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: Dawson Knox, TE
The Giants’ tight end room is... interesting. Heading into the offseason, it’s Theo Johnson and Thomas Fidone II, and that’s about it. Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz are both upcoming free agents, so a new face feels inevitable. Dawson Knox would immediately upgrade the receiving side of the position and give Jaxson Dart another reliable option as he continues to develop.
Miami Dolphins: Alec Ingold, FB
It’s hard to find anyone from the 2025 Dolphins who’s even projected to stick around for 2026. They’ve already cut Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb, and they’re reportedly exploring a Minkah Fitzpatrick trade. But give me Alec Ingold. A fullback? Absolutely. Harbs had plenty of success with Patrick Ricard in Baltimore, and the idea of having someone to clear lanes for Cam Skattebo out of the backfield is electric.
New England Patriots: Stefon Diggs, WR
Give Dart Vader more stormtroopers... I mean weapons. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye took off in Year 2 once Diggs arrived, and with Malik Nabers coming back from a torn ACL and Wan’Dale Robinson entering free agency, adding a veteran with over 11,500 career receiving yards as a security blanket for their franchise QB feels like a move the Giants can’t afford to pass on.
New York Jets: Harrison Phillips, DL
If the Jets ever cut ties with Garrett Wilson, sure, that would be a dream. But that’s not happening. So here we are with the quieter option. Harrison Phillips has played under some sharp defensive minds -- Sean McDermott, Brian Flores, Aaron Glenn -- and that experience matters. Pair that with the fact Dexter Lawrence could use at least a little help up front, and this starts to feel like a pretty logical fit.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: Marlon Humphrey, CB
I spy with my little eye... a reunion. Marlon Humphrey would be one hell of a get for Harbaugh and Co. The longtime Raven is a four-time Pro Bowler with the versatility to line up outside or slide into the slot. And considering how shaky Big Blue’s secondary looked last year, they could use all the help they can get.
Cincinnati Bengals: B.J. Hill, DT
Bring Bobby Gene Hill Jr back to North Jersey. It’s been a minute, so no one would blame you for forgetting the G-Men took Hill out of NC State in the third round of the 2018 Draft. Since then, he’s spent five years in Cincinnati, but maybe it’s time to bring him home and line him up next to Dexter Lawrence to finally do something about this atrocious run defense.
Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward, CB
Who knows better than John Harbaugh how frustrating it is to play against Ward? He’s an intriguing candidate. A borderline star at corner, he still commands attention, but the cap savings Cleveland could create by moving on Post-June 1 might be too tempting for a struggling Browns team to ignore. He had a down year in 2025, yet he would instantly become the best cornerback on the Giants’ roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Patrick Queen, LB
Patrick Queen has looked anything but royalty since signing a three-year, $41 million deal with the Steelers in 2024. Still, one team’s expensive disappointment can be another team’s answer to a problem that won’t go away. The Giants need to overhaul their linebacker room, and Queen’s athleticism, paired with his previous success under Harbaugh in Baltimore, could help steady a middle of the defense that’s been driving everyone insane.
AFC South
Houston Texans: Joe Mixon, RB
Does New York need another running back? Short answer: probably not. Alternative answer: who cares? Skatt and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are already a solid one-two punch, but upgrading from Devin Singletary to Joe Mixon could do real damage. Mixon’s downhill style paired with Skatt’s physical edge would make for some ridiculous Madden-style truck-stick highlights.
Indianapolis Colts: DeForest Buckner, DL
No offense to Hill or Phillips, but now we’re talking. DeForest Buckner is a monster. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds, the three-time Pro Bowler would slide perfectly next to Dexter Lawrence. His ability to rush the passer would take some of that burden off Dex and let him get back to being a menace in the run game. With that kind of size and power in the middle, running backs wouldn’t have much daylight to work with.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Arik Armstead, DL
Arik Armstead, Buckner's former teammate in San Francisco for four years (2016-19), could provide a similar role alongside big No. 97 on the defensive interior. Armstead is another behemoth of a human being -- 6-foot-7, 290 pounds. He's on the back nine of his career, but shoring up the defensive line has to be one of Big Blue's priorities this offseason.
Tennessee Titans: Calvin Ridley, WR
Calvin Ridley is one of the more polarizing players on this list, but when he's not suspended for a season for violating the league's gambling policy, he's a pretty awesome receiver. Ridley is getting up there in age (31) and coming off the most underwhelming season of his seven-year career. Still, the offense could use a reliable route runner to complement Nabers.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: Dre Greenlaw, LB
Dre Greenlaw would add some real bite to a linebacker room that’s lacked it for years. When he’s healthy, he flies sideline to sideline and hits like he’s trying to send a message, which fits the identity Harbaugh wants on defense. The range helps against the mobile quarterbacks in this division, and the physicality would instantly raise the temperature in the middle.
Kansas City Chiefs: Drue Tranquill, LB
More linebacker help incoming. Drue Tranquill would bring some calm to a group that’s been anything but. He can cover, he finds the football, and the 30-year-old just cleared 100 tackles for the second time in his career, which says plenty about the floor you’re getting. Tranquill could finally put an end to their run-defense trouble.
Los Angeles Chargers: Will Dissly, TE
Dissly wouldn’t be coming here to headline the passing game. He’d be here to block, and he’s still one of the better run-blocking tight ends in football. If this offense is going to lean into the Skatt experience more and protect its QB a little better, having a guy who can function as an extra lineman in 12 personnel (two tight end set) helps.
Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremy Chinn, SAF
The secondary still has a long way to go. Adding a depth piece who can play deep, drop into the box, and handle big nickel duties would give DC Dennard Wilson more freedom with his calls. That’s where Jeremy Chinn makes sense. The size-speed combo is good, the tackle production is there, and the versatility would be a welcome addition to a bench light on other options.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Logan Wilson, LB
It was between Wilson and defensive tackle Kenny Clark, but Dallas released the linebacker on Friday, which makes this decision a whole lot easier now that he’s already available. That works out because the G-Men desperately need linebacker help. Micah McFadden, Darius Muasau, Swayze Bozeman, and Bobby Okereke just ain't it.
Philadelphia Eagles: Byron Young, DL
Maybe it’s buying a little too much into Milton Williams’ success in New England and assuming a completely different player with a similar build would produce the same results in a new environment. But Young feels like the kind of low-risk, high-reward signing that could help take some pressure off Dexy Sexy.
Washington Commanders: Marshon Lattimore, CB
It’s been six seasons since Marshon Lattimore looked like a Pro Bowl-caliber corner, but at this point, beggars can’t be choosers. Big Blue’s CB room is a mess. Deonte Banks has been borderline unplayable, Paulson Adebo underwhelmed in Year 1, and Cor’Dale Flott is heading toward free agency. The secondary needs real attention, and even with the injury concerns, Lattimore would still represent an upgrade over what they’re currently rolling out there.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Tremaine Edmunds, LB
LB keeps popping up in this exercise for a reason. Tremaine Edmunds would give the middle of the defense size, range, and coverage ability the Giants simply don’t have right now. At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, he can handle the run on early downs and still run with tight ends up the seam, which fits what a modern defense needs.
Detroit Lions: Graham Glasgow, OL
The interior line feels like it’s headed for a reset with Jon Runyan potentially on the chopping block, Greg Van Roten hitting free agency, and John Michael Schmitz still struggling. Glasgow makes sense because he doesn’t have to be the answer at center after struggling in 2025; the G-Men could slide him in at guard, where he’s historically been more comfortable anyway. The ability to play both spots gives them insurance in case you-know-what hits the fan.
Green Bay Packers: Elgton Jenkins, OL
If Glasgow is the steady, plug-and-play guard option, Elgton Jenkins is the higher-upside swing. New York wouldn’t have to force him back to center after that uneven 2025 experiment; sliding him into guard and letting him do what he’s always done well makes far more sense. When healthy, he’s one of the better pass protectors on the interior. He and Andrew Thomas could work wonders in keeping Dart upright.
Minnesota Vikings: TJ Hockenson, TE
How about a home-run swing at a sneaky area of need? Pairing Hockenson and Johnson together would be diabolical. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder is simultaneously overrated and underrated. In seven seasons, he has 4,440 yards and 26 touchdowns. That's just not worth the $16.5 million per season he's making on his current contract. You’re talking about adding a proven middle-of-the-field weapon who can block, move the chains, and make life easier on a young QB.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: Charlie Woerner, TE
Back-to-back tight ends? Woerner isn’t coming in to stretch the field. He’s coming in to block people into the luxury suites and make life easier for whoever is carrying the football. In an offense that’s going to lean into heavier personnel and play more downhill, having a true in-line mauler who’s comfortable lining up as a pseudo fullback changes the math in the run game.
Carolina Panthers: Tommy Tremble, TE
Three-peat at the position? Johnson can’t be the only tight end the defense has to account for. Tommy Tremble would give this offense a physical presence who can line up in-line, shift into an H-back spot, and handle the dirty work. For a room that still feels incomplete, adding a 25-year-old who plays with that edge would bring some needed balance.
New Orleans Saints: Jordan Howden, SAF
The secondary needs a lot more talent and significantly fewer liabilities. Jordan Howden can rotate at safety, slide into the slot, and even contribute on special teams, which lines up well with what Dennard Wilson wants from his defensive backs. Big Blue has holes to fill and limited space to work with, so How(den) 'bout them apples?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Payne Durham, TE
Back at it again with the tight ends. The room needs bodies, and it needs options. Durham checks both boxes without forcing Schoen to spend real money. At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, he fits the kind of heavy, physical sets Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy are going to lean on, and he’s shown flashes. For a roster that can’t afford to miss on depth pieces, taking a low-cost swing on a young tight end with some untapped upside feels like a smart bet.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: Dalvin Tomlinson, DT
Some reunions just make sense. Dalvin Tomlinson already knows the building and what it takes to play next to Lawrence. When those two were together, the interior held up, and the run defense had an identity. Plugging him back in as a sturdy early-down presence would give the front stability and let Dex focus on wrecking games instead of eating every double team himself.
Los Angeles Rams: Ethan Evans, P
Please consider this as Jamie Gillan's official warning. The Scottish Hammer's time in North Jersey is all but over, and Ethan Evans could be the perfect replacement. Special teams concerns have been too common, and muffed punts just can't be part of this team moving forward. With Harby's expertise in the special teams universe, upgrading at punter would be a strong start.
San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Aiyuk, WR
Nabers can’t be the only receiver defenses lose sleep over. Aiyuk would give Dart a legitimate outside threat who can win one-on-one and stretch the field. His route-running polish and ability to separate down the sideline would add a different layer to an offense that’s been too vanilla. Pairing Nabers with a player like Aiyuk instantly raises the offense's floor.
Seattle Seahawks: Jarran Reed, DL
Again, Lawrence needs help inside. Jarran Reed would give the interior some grown-man presence and keep offenses from double-teaming Dex for 60 minutes. He still plays with power at the point of attack, eats space in the run game, and has enough push to muddy the pocket. For a defense that’s been getting gashed up the middle, adding a steady vet next to Lawrence makes a lot of sense.