Giants Roster Shakeup
New York Giants Sign Najee Harris, Release JuJu Smith-Schuster Amid Roster Reshuffle
Key Points
Calvin Austin III was listed as a starter at one of the other two wide receiver spots on the initial unofficial depth chart, with Darius Slayton also in the starting group and Odell Beckham Jr. listed as the No. 3 outside receiver behind Malik Nabers and Slayton.
Malik Nabers’ health remains uncertain as he recovers from a torn ACL, with status a question mark entering the second preseason game.
Darrell (Darrnell) Mooney signed a one-year contract with $3 million fully guaranteed, with potential to reach about $10 million with incentives.
According to Bleacher Report, JuJu Smith-Schuster is expected to draw interest from multiple teams, with Kansas City, Miami, and Las Vegas among the top potential landing spots.
The New York Giants released wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Saturday to clear a roster spot after signing running back Najee Harris to a one-year deal, according to Yahoo Sports. The move signals a clear shift toward a power-running offense as the team heads into the preseason.
Smith-Schuster had been fighting for one of the Giants' final receiver spots but was let go amid a crowded depth chart. CBS Sports confirmed Harris's signing on a one-year contract. Harris is coming off a torn left Achilles tendon.
Steelers Reunion Ends as Harris Joins Giants
Harris and Smith-Schuster were teammates in Pittsburgh. Now their paths have split. Harris joins New York, while Smith-Schuster is out of a job. Yahoo Sports noted the irony — the Giants signed one former Steeler and dropped another in the same move.
Harris brings a physical, downhill running style that fits what the Giants want to build. He gives the team a dependable ball-carrier who can grind out yards between the tackles. New York is clearly betting on a ground-heavy offense in 2025.
Smith-Schuster Likely to Land Quickly in Free Agency
Smith-Schuster is not expected to stay unemployed long. According to Athlon Sports, he was competing for a non-guaranteed spot with the Giants before his release. His knee issues likely played a role in the team's decision to move on.
Several teams are already circling. Bleacher Report named Kansas City, Miami, and Las Vegas as the top potential landing spots for the veteran receiver. Smith-Schuster won a Super Bowl with Kansas City in 2023, making a reunion there especially plausible.
Giants' Crowded Receiver Room Still Sorting Itself Out
New York is evaluating six or seven receiver spots. The depth chart, per New York Post, currently lists Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton as the top two options. Odell Beckham Jr. sits at No. 3. Calvin Austin III also appears in the starting group on the early unofficial depth chart.
Nabers' health is a real concern. He is recovering from a torn ACL and his status is uncertain heading into the second preseason game. Other names in the mix include Darrnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, Braxton Berrios, and Jalen Hyatt. Mooney signed a one-year deal worth $3 million guaranteed, with incentives that could push the total to around $10 million.
What the Roster Move Reveals About New York's Plan
Releasing a receiver to sign a running back tells you everything about New York's offensive direction. The Giants are not building around the pass. They want to run the ball and control the clock. Harris gives them a proven workhorse to anchor that approach.
With Nabers' recovery still uncertain and Beckham listed third on the depth chart, the receiver group has real questions. But the Giants appear willing to live with that uncertainty. They are betting that a strong ground game — led by Harris — can carry the offense while the pass catchers sort themselves out, according to Athlon Sports.
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