These are the 5 Giants to watch at the start of training camp
Giants' Abdul Carter speaks to the media on May 29, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: Ed Murray
A new coach will get a lot of attention before training camp. But for all of John Harbaugh’s star power, the Giants’ players still have to do the work starting with Wednesday’s first practice in West Virginia.
The defense could have at least five new starters. Jaxson Dart has a new tight end in Isaiah Likely and new receivers to work. Several players need to take leaps forward or answer questions about their play. Harbaugh, though, remained optimistic about what he saw during the spring.
“We have high level leadership. These guys are really, really excellent leaders,” Harbaugh said in June. “I’ve enjoyed every day with these guys. These guys know what they're talking about.” Now it needs to show up in training camp. Here’s five players to keep an eye on.
Cam Skattebo, RB
Skattebo did some non-contact drills during minicamp to end the spring. But this is the first extended look the Giants will get at their second-year running back since he had season-ending ankle surgery last fall.
Skattebo showed he could be a solid all-purpose back in his eight-game stint. The jury is still out on his ceiling. For all of Skattebo’s attention and production before he got hurt, Tyrone Tracy Jr. had over 1,000 scrimmage yards for a second straight year.
The real question isn’t how Skattebo eases back into form. It’s determining the pecking order in the running back room. It’ll be good seeing Skattebo’s energy back on the field but there’s no guarantee yet he’s the No. 1 running back.
Abdul Carter, OLB
Much as people will focus on Jaxson Dart’s second-year growth, Carter’s sophomore progress is just as key. His rookie year was a roller coaster of promise, featuring two benchings for being late and a surge of late-season sacks.
Carter ended that year speaking like he wants to be a leader. He demonstrated poise and confidence while handling his disapproval of Dart’s appearance with President Donald Trump while also standing by his quarterback.
Now he needs to show it on the field. With more eyes on fellow linebacker Brian Burns after his All-Pro season, Carter must build on the lessons and potential he showed as a rookie.
Darnell Mooney/Calvin Austin III, WR
We’re cheating with two receivers here instead of one. With Malik Nabers injured and Darius Slayton expected back from hernia surgery, Mooney and Austin are the receivers who’ll factor heavily in camp.
Both are on one-year prove-it deals. Mooney has experience with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy from their time together in Chicago. Austin’s a speedy target who built good chemistry with Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh.
Until Nabers heals, those two need to prove their experience can lead to quick connections with Jaxson Dart. Dart’s development depends on it and even when Nabers’ returns, Mooney and Austin need to be reliable third and fourth targets to ease Nabers’ transition.
“We have to put in the work to get better and then go out there and make the play happen,” Mooney said in May.
Deonte Banks, CB
This is Banks’ last chance to make an impression. He lost his starting job last year, still lacked discipline in coverage and was mildly successful on kick return duty by season’s end. The Giants responded by adding more cornerback depth with free agent Greg Newsome and drafting Colton Hood.
So what will Banks do entering his free agent season? Can a new defensive staff get more out of him? He wasn’t with the returners during OTAs viewed by media so that experiment appears to be over.
Banks has been a disappointment since his first season. He reflects a 2023 Giants draft class that’s been mostly underwhelming (Jalin Hyatt, John Michael Schmitz). Either something changes with him under new coordinator Dennard Wilson or his Giants tenure ends with a thud.
Dominic Zvada, K
The Giants’ kicking woes the last three years - injuries, poor play, inconsistency - have been well documented. This is why Zvada, an undrafted rookie, should catch a lot of attention.
Zvada looked better in the spring than returner Ben Sauls and enters camp as the favorite. It's still a big ask demanding Zvada be the kicking savior and it’ll test Harbaugh’s experience as a special teams ace. He revamped the entire special teams unit this offseason with a new punter and holder.
Yet kicker is the spot that needs to improve the most. There is pressure on Zvada but Harbaugh has a track record of developing young kickers. Maybe Harbaugh brings in another veteran kicker during camp but it's Zvada's job to win or lose right now. A fourth straight Giants season of shaky kicking won’t cut it.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
