TheNew York Giantshave a group of rookies that NFL fans will be eager to see this season. Linebacker Arvell Reese, guard Francis Mauigoa, cornerback Colton Hood, and wide receiver Malachi Fields lead this year's bumper crop.
That should be enough to prompt NFL fans to tune in, but the Giants' opponents on this year's schedule also have some players worth watching.
Here are eight intriguing rookies the Giants will face in 2026.
RB Jeremiyah Love, Arizona, Week 4
The Giants' offseason could have been a lot different if the Cardinals had not taken Love with the third-overall pick, two spots before the Giants took Reese. The story is that the Giants had him rated as high as Reese, and a war room debate would have ensued. Either way, Love will be a force in this league and a true test for the Giants' revamped run defense.
S Caleb Downs, Dallas, Weeks 1 and 17
The Giants passed on the Ohio State star not once, but twice, in the top 10 picks in the draft, leaving him for the Cowboys. Don't think Downs will forget that any time soon. He has a chance to perplex the Giants twice a year for the next decade.
LB Sonny Styles, Washington, Weeks 5 and 10
The Giants passed on Styles to take Reese, who they say is a better inside linebacker than Styles. We'll see about that. Styles can be the galvanizer that Dan Quinn has been looking for in the middle of his defense.
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WR Carnell Tate, Tennessee, Week 3
The Giants weren't going to take Tate at No. 5, but had things broken differently, they might have taken him at No. 10. Another moot point. Tate will now be catching passes from Cam Ward in coordinator Brian Daboll's offense.
WR Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans, Week 6
Many experts had Tyson mocked to the Giants after they showed an elevated interest in the former Arizona State teammate of Cam Skattebo, but New Orleans grabbed him with the eighth pick. He'll make a formidable wide receiver duo with Chris Olave for quarterback Tyler Shough.
WR KC Concepcion, Cleveland, Week 15
Another player the Giants were interested in during the pre-draft process. The Browns also took Denzel Boston in this draft to go with an already impressive receiving corps that includes Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and tight end Harold Fannin, Jr.
RB Jadarian Price, Seattle, Week 14
Notre Dame's other running back, Price, will attempt to fill the void left by the departure of Kenneth Walker III in free agency. He will split time with Zach Charbonnet in the Seahawks' running attack.
WR Makai Lemon, Philadelphia, Weeks 9 and 18
Lemon, the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner, was taken 20th overall. With A.J. Brown expected to be traded to New England next month, Lemon will be added to a mix of wideouts that includes Devonta Smith, Hollywood Brown, and Daontayvion Wicks.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire:New York Giants schedule: 8 intriguing rookie opponents in 2026
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