The New York Giants added seven new prospects to the 2026 NFL Draft, and some, like first-round picks Arvel Reese and Francis Mauigoa, are expected to make immediate starts. The new starters mean Giants general manager Joe Schoen has more potential roster changes coming.
This could also include trading a player with whom Schoen signed a three-year, $30 million contract just two years ago.
according to athleticDan Duggan The arrival of Mauigoa could lead the Giants to consider trading offensive lineman John Runyon Jr. Mauigoa played offensive tackle in Miami, but the Giants are expected to play guard instead. Duggan believes the presence of Mauigoa, along with newly signed Daniel Falele, could make Runyon more expendable in New York's eyes.
"An under-the-radar potential trade chip for the Giants: left guard John Runyan. Chances are Runyan will remain the left guard he has been for the past two seasons. But Mauigoa is expected to make a move to right guard, giving Runyan a rush of guards to fight for his starting spot. If Harbaugh's favorite Daniel Faley impresses in training camp, his $1.3 million cap hit, That would represent a bargain compared to Runyan's bloated $11.8 million cap charge. The Giants could save $9.3 million if they cut or trade Runyan. The most likely outcome is that Runyan emerges from a group of flawed challengers, but that's something to consider.
John Runyon Jr. at The Athletic.
The Giants are trying to build the best team possible under John Harbaugh. If he believes Runyan is one of the team's five best starters, we would expect him to stick, even if his price tag is higher than Fallale.
At this point, Felipe should be viewed as a low-cost insurance policy in case one of the Giants' guards gets injured. He even has experience playing offensive tackle. But that doesn't mean the Giants should trade any of their prized free agency picks from two offseasons ago, even if Runyon hasn't lived up to expectations (67th out of 81 guards graded by Pro Football Focus in 2025).
In the final year of his contract, the Giants can use this season to determine if Runyon is truly the right fit, or if they can make do with a less expensive option, such as someone like Falele.
RELATED: New York Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux trade value revealed
