{"id":871638,"date":"2026-04-22T04:54:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T04:54:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/871638\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T04:54:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T04:54:21","slug":"3-takeaways-from-giants-first-2026-minicamp-practice-under-john-harbaugh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/871638\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Takeaways from Giants’ First 2026 Minicamp Practice Under John Harbaugh"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Giants<\/a> began a three-day voluntary minicamp on Tuesday at their East Rutherford, New Jersey\u00a0 headquarters. The media that regularly covers the team was not allowed to attend the practice, but the in-house team\u2019s media did. <\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, they reported the Giants began practice with three straight running plays. This is significant because the Giants, under Harbaugh, are expected to run the ball much more this year with their running backs.<\/p>\n

Although the Giants finished fifth last season in rushing (129.1 yards\/game), the quarterbacks accounted for 111 of the team\u2019s 511 total rushing attempts and 616 of the 2,195 rushing yards.<\/p>\n

Subtract those totals from the Giants\u2019 overall rushing production, and the adjusted totals come to 92.8 rushing yards per game, which would have put the Giants at 31st league-wide for average rushing yards per game, and an average of 3.94 yards per carry, which would have dropped them to 28th.<\/p>\n

Here are a few additional takeaways\/thoughts from what the GIants in-house media reported<\/a> and why they may be significant.<\/a><\/p>\n

QB Jaxson Dart Reconnects with TE Theo Johnson\"New<\/p>\n

Nov 2, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) celebrates his touchdown run with tight end Theo Johnson (84) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. | Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Tight end Theo Johnson is entering his third NFL season after a rough one last season in which he was tied (with four others, including Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce) for most dropped passes<\/a> by a tight end (seven), five of which came on third down for the former Penn State star.<\/p>\n

Dropped passes in general were a problem for the Giants last season in general, as they finished tied for the tenth-highest number of dropped passes (24) according to data compiled from Pro Football Focus.<\/p>\n

One other note about Johnson. Last season, he was targeted 14 times in the red zone<\/a>, coming down with six receptions for a 42.9% reception rate and four touchdown receptions.<\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s anticipated that new tight end Isaiah Likely will be getting a lot of red-zone targets in the coming year, Johnson\u2019s size is too good to ignore in tight quarters as an option.<\/p>\n

The Screen Game\u2019s Comeback?\"New<\/p>\n

Jan 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) rushes and is tackled by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams (54) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Giants’ in-house media made mention of running back Devin Singletary picking up significant yardage on screens. This is potentially significant because it raises the question of whether the Giants plan to incorporate more screen plays into their new offense.<\/p>\n

Last year, the Giants ran screen plays on 55 passing plays (9%) according to SIS, putting them 14th in the league.<\/p>\n

They could be looking to increase that this year, as an effective screen game will go a long way toward slowing the opposing pass rush and helping the offense pick up sizable yardage per play.<\/p>\n

Kicking Competition Under Way\"New<\/p>\n

New York Giants place kicker Ben Sauls is hoping to beat out veteran addition Jason Sanders for the Giants’ kicking job. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

One of the underrated yet important competitions on deck for the summer will be the battle between veteran kicker Jason Sanders and first-year kicker Ben Sauls.<\/p>\n

Sanders is returning after missing last season with a hip injury, while Sauls, who was perfect on all his field goal attempts for the Giants last year, will be looking to show the coaches that he can handle long-distance pressure field goal tries, his longest of his eight conversions (on eight attempts) last year going for 45 yards.<\/p>\n

The Giants’ report didn\u2019t specify distances, but it did mention that both kickers were perfect on all their field goal attempts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Adebo Showed Up\"New<\/p>\n

New York Giants cornerback Paulson Adebo was present for the Giants voluntary minicamp. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Cornerback Paulson Adebo, who was not present for the first day of the team\u2019s offseason program, was mentioned in the practice report, putting to rest any rumors about a contract dispute or any unhappiness with the team being the reason for his absence on that first day.<\/p>\n

Adebo, who a year ago signed a three-year, $54 million contract with the Giants, had a rough first season in blue. He missed five games due to a knee sprain, but he also posted some of his career-worst PFF grades<\/a> in coverage since the 2022 season.<\/p>\n

Adebo, who was the team\u2019s de facto CB1, finished last season with a 92.0 NFL coverage rating, his third-worst of his career, and allowed 66.7% of the pass targets against him to be completed (second-highest percentage) for 533 yards.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Sign up for our free newsletter<\/a> and follow us on Facebook<\/a> and X<\/a> for the latest news, and send your mailbag questions<\/a> to us.<\/p>\n

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