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A new head coach often brings new roster demands, especially when it comes to shaping the 53-man squad. And it’s no secret that the New York Giants need to make some major moves this season if they want to climb back into the NFL’s elite. But what’s even less of a secret is their draft situation.
Just two picks in the first two days of the NFL Draft. Meanwhile, roster holes pop in every color — like a Valentine’s Day bouquet. The Giants need reinforcements at defensive tackle, cornerback, wide receiver, and along the offensive line.
Many projections have the Giants taking Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 5 overall. The move makes sense. Malik Nabers’ health remains a question mark heading into 2026, and Wan’Dale Robinson could hit free agency.
Now, the Giants have been hit with troubling free agency news that could completely flip their draft strategy upside down.
Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott Made a Move That Could Scare New York
Wan’Dale Robinson, Cor’Dale Flott, and Jermaine Eluemunor are all set to hit the open market. And with limited cap space in New York, the odds of keeping all three look slim at best.
Flott, in particular, is positioning himself for a major payday. According to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, the 24-year-old recently signed with Athletes First, signaling he’s ready to cash in next month. As one of the top cornerbacks available in free agency, he won’t come cheap, and with the Giants — who currently have just $6.9 million in cap space — bringing him back could be a serious challenge.
Giants fans will recall that Daniel Jones turned to Athletes First when he landed his monster deal in New York.
Spotrac currently projects Flott to command a four-year, $38 million deal — roughly $9.5 million per year. But after switching agencies, the cornerback could be positioning himself for an even bigger payday. Flott had a solid 2025 season. He recorded 38 total tackles (27 solo), one forced fumble, and one interception.
If Flott walks, the Giants would be staring at yet another hole on the roster that needs to be filled. And top-cornerbacks don’t exactly grow on trees. Paulson Adebo fell far short of expectations in 2025, and at this point, Deonte Banks is trending dangerously close to bust territory.
Giants Must Change Their Draft Strategy
Dennard Wilson’s resume working with DBs makes me believe the Giants can let Cor’Dale Flott walk and save some $.
Trust in Paulson Adebo, Dru Phillips. Draft another CB somewhere in the first 3-4 rounds.
As a former third-round pick in GM Joe Schoen’s first 2022 draft, Flott has grown into a solid contributor. In 2025, he wrestled a starting job away from first-rounder Deonte Banks and put together a career-best season.
The Giants have watched a string of home‑grown talents thrive once they left New York — from Julian Love and Saquon Barkley winning Super Bowls to others like Daniel Jones and Xavier McKinney making waves elsewhere.
Offseason decisions hit fast — and Flott is at the center of it. Is he worth that kind of money? Probably not — especially when you stack his talent against Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn or New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
The Giants’ front office faces a hard truth: they’ll likely have to pick a corner, not a wide receiver. And that brings the next headache: at the top five, there’s likely not a single corner worth drafting.
Fabienne Lampe Fabienne Lampe is a German sports journalist, covering the NFL, College Football, NBA, and Formula 1 for Heavy Sports. Lampe has years of experience covering the NFL, especially the Atlanta Falcons as their sole German reporter. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in the NFL, including Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. Lampe also hosts a Formula 1 podcast and works as a play-by-play announcer. More about Fabienne Lampe
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