RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesEAST RUTHERFORD - The New York Giants closed the books on their training camp in West Virginia and now they hit the practice fields back home in New Jersey with an eye on kicking off the preseason Saturday against the Vikings.
Giants coach John Harbaugh believes the second week of training camp always proves to be the most challenging for everyone. For this team, grueling practices in full pads for five of those final six practices at The Greenbrier Resort tested all mentally and physically, ultimately delivering exactly what Harbaugh wanted.
"Well, I think we got a lot better. That's probably what we got out of it," Harbaugh said. "We improved tremendously. We're much further along than we were when we started. I think we can look back and say that we've come a long way. I mean, the competition is really tough in this league, and every team is doing the same thing. So, you're in a race every single day to be at least the best you can be. And everybody's trying to do the same thing in the NFL, so that's why it's so tough, but I thought our guys did a good job. I'm happy with where we're at. It's just a matter of keeping your head down and staying after it every day. Never taking a breath in terms of your mindset and determination to get better."
The usual suspects finished off the summer road trip strong. The Giants are challenging Jaxson Dart and the offense with a new scheme, a diverse set of blitzes from the opposite side of the ball and a lot of technique and cadence change that he has embraced. His last two practices have been his best with the promise of more to come.
The defense has an entirely different look than last year with Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese commanding the middle of the field.
Who earned more opportunities to shine and who needs to step up now that the action returns to the Meadowlands?
Stock Watch: Heating up, time to boil
Abdul Carter, OLB
Carter, 22, was the best defensive player at The Greenbrier Resort, winning more than his share of battles against a darn good left tackle, Andrew Thomas. He impressed against the run, too, as noted by Reese in his post-practice pressure the other day. And yes, when you are drafted No. 3 overall, you should be this good, dominant even, and early returns for Year 2 are incredibly promising.
Isaiah Likely, TE
The Giants signed Likely to be an offensive weapon in their offense for Jaxson Dart. He's being paid $40 million over the next three seasons for potential, not production - yet. But if the summer is any indication so far, he's well on his way. Dart and Likely have displayed chemistry and the latter is proving to be a big play threat on and off script.
Jaxson Dart and Isaiah Likely is a thing. Book it. Great back shoulder 50-50 ball from Dart to Likely along the sideline and Likely went up over Tae Banks for a great grab. pic.twitter.com/xTpgxNC0v2
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 7, 2026 Jon Runyan, LG
All the talk from the spring was how the other guards on the roster not named Francis Mauigoa would challenge Runyan and push him toward the roster bubble, possibly even as a cap casualty due to the $9 million the Giants could save by parting ways. So far in training camp, Runyan has been the most consistent player up front. He's consistently won his 1-on-1 reps against the Giants' defensive line and has not appeared to give up an inch to any of the possible replacements behind him on the depth chart (Daniel Faalele, Aaron Stinnie or Evan Neal).
Arvell Reese, ILB
Turning the volatile nature of his game into power with knockback has quickly become Reese's calling card, a football superpower reminiscent of a former era. If the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Ohio State can continue to do that, and if the Giants can win some games in John Harbaugh's first season, expect Reese to be right there in the hunt for what has been an elusive award in team history.
The Giants have not had the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year since Lawrence Taylor in 1981.
Arvell Reese is the total package. Brings it old school. Popped Cam Skattebo in a run fit + the oohs/aahs were audible. Next play Reese ran down Skatt from back side behind line. Skatt was slow to get up. Did a lot of stretching on side before walking across to other sideline
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 7, 2026 Odell Beckham Jr., WR
That was a full camp in West Virginia for Beckham in his return to the Giants. Got better and better as the days went on, working every day and showing despite the odds against him he could stay healthy and on the field in a Harbaugh camp at age 33 and nearly two years off. Worked well with mostly Dart and some with Jameis Winston.
Positioned well to keep ascending when NYG return to NJ. Flashbacks for Odell 2.0. Legit. He's doing so far what he needs to do to have a chance at making the team.
Stock watch: Time is now to make a move
Paulson Adebo, CB
The Giants need Adebo to step up; instead, he's giving up first-team reps to Tae Banks, who is trying to make the most of his clean slate. They are really counting on Adebo to show the new staff the Giants thought they signed last year, but something's missing. He still has time to find his game, but his struggles in camp to this point are worrisome.
Darnell Mooney, WR
Mooney has made plays with Dart, so that's not it. He's been inconsistent, though, and with Malik Nabers and Malachi Fields the only true locks at the position - Darius Slayton is likely also due to his salary and camp impact - the competition is as wide open as it could be with as many as five others fighting for three spots.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
Smith-Schuster has the trust of OC Matt Nagy from their time together in Kansas City, but he's yet to look as though he is ready to make a move up the depth chart. He missed a practice with knee swelling. There is time to rally...
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