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Cover 3

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Cover 3: Overlooked storylines heading into 2026 season

COVER-3-HELMET

In this week's edition of Cover 3, the Giants.com crew members discuss overlooked storylines heading into the 2026 season.

John Schmeelk: I struggled with this question because I feel like we have looked over every aspect of this team ad nauseam this offseason. It's our job, and the Giants are the only team we cover. We attend every practice and try to give a look at everything that happens from January through July every year. I also don't do a very good job of keeping track of what other reporters and fans are talking about and not paying attention to.

With that said, I am going with special teams -- but not the kicking game. We've spoken and written a lot about the addition of Jordan Stout and the now two-man kicking competition between Ben Sauls and Dominic Zvada. But no one spoke a lot about Ben Mann, an undrafted rookie, winning the long snapping job, which is an important position especially under John Harbaugh.

I feel like there has been even less conversation about who the kick and punt returners are going to be. Calvin Austin III shined as a wide receiver in spring practice but his most consistent high-level play in the NFL has come as a punt returner. He has a punt return for a touchdown and averages nearly nine yards per return. Newcomer Braxton Berrios also has a lot of experience as punt returner. Berrios can also return kicks, as can running backs Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Cornerback Deonte Banks may be the most talented potential kick returner given his speed and athleticism. If he can garner the trust of his coaches, the Giants could have a pair of dynamic returners that can change the game with the ball in his hands.

Get ready for the 2026 season with photos from Media Day at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

Dan Salomone: It seems crazy to say this about a 10th overall draft choice, but Francis "Sisi" Mauigoa was a little bit on the backburner in terms of storylines this spring. It comes with the territory, though. Contact is not allowed in OTAs and minicamp, which means the 6-foot-6, 335-pound All-American was practicing with his hands tied behind his back – figuratively speaking. On top of that, Arvell Reese, the fifth overall pick, shined bright enough for the whole draft class.

But Mauigoa is about to go from a simmer to a boil.

In about three weeks, the Giants will put the pads on for the first time at training camp in West Virginia. That's when we will get the first true look at the Miami product, whether it's in team reps, 1-on-1 drills, and eventually preseason games against a live opponent.

"I think Sisi, he just wants to learn," said right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who lines up next to him. "He asks a bunch of questions. He'll watch film, he'll ask me a question about this, or a set and he'll ask for my opinion and be talking to [Jon] Runyan, be talking to [John Michael] Schmitz, but he's also a really confident guy. Also, a really hard worker and doesn't take BS from anyone. A lot of the times when me and [Brian] Burns are going at it and he's sliding out to him, he's not afraid to get in Burns' face or get in [Abdul Carter's] face. And let them know that when we put in pads on and like if it was a game, he would be waiting for him right there, waiting for him to spin back inside so he can smack him. It's like that young-guy energy that you kind of feed off. Sisi is a really hard-working guy. He's a physical guy. I think the sky's the limit for him. It's been a lot of fun."

View photos of the New York Giants' 2026 roster as it currently stands.

Matt Citak: Piggybacking off Dan's point, while it has been discussed at times over the last few months, the potential for Cam Skattebo and the rest of the run game having a significant breakout campaign has not been talked about quite enough. The Giants had a top 5 rushing unit last season, aided by Jaxson Dart's nearly 500 yards on the ground. The offense is returning four of five starters up front, with Mauigoa being the lone new addition. Adding a top 10 pick to a group that already had a strong season last year should help the O-line take its game to the next level, which should in turn provide Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and the whole run game with a significant boost.

Skattebo got his NFL career off to a strong start before a season-ending ankle injury cut his rookie year short. In just eight games (five starts), the young back averaged over 4.0 yards per carry with five touchdowns on the ground to go with an additional 207 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Tracy then got a majority of the carries in the second half of the season, and he was able to turn 176 rush attempts into 740 yards (4.2 avg.) with two touchdowns. The additions of both Mauigoa and fullback Patrick Ricard, not to mention Greg Roman on the coaching staff, should add an element of nastiness to the Giants' run blocking, which combined with Skattebo's aggressive run style could cause headaches for opposing defenses.

"I thought he was just what you saw, a downhill runner, a tone-setter type runner," coach John Harbaugh told the media during last month's minicamp about Skattebo's rookie season. "He's a tough tackle. That's what you look for. How many guys can make yards when they're not supposed to make yards on their own?

"It seems to me he was that kind of guy at Arizona State and the exact same guy that I saw on tape last year. You guys know better. You watched him up close and personal. He's a top tier back, and he's planning on playing that way this year."

Take a look at rare photos of New York Giants training camps through the years.

2026-5K

The Giants Foundation 5K & Kids Run

Bring your friends, family and neighbors out to run The Giants Foundation 5K Presented by Quest® on Sunday, November 8th and finish in the end zone at MetLife Stadium!

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