New York
's front office and coaching staff are trying to create a more competitive scenario for the talent to emerge.
The New York Giants
made two more roster moves this week to add competition at cornerback, signing veteran David Long
and former UFL player DJ James. The additions further crowd an already deep position group that coach John Harbaugh has praised throughout training camp, and they reflect New York's continued investment at a premium position that could help determine the outcome of the 2026 season.
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David Long brings experience, championship pedigree
Long is a former third-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams
in 2019 and has bounced around the league since. He has also played for the Las Vegas Raiders
, Carolina Panthers
, Green Bay Packers
, Indianapolis Colts
, and the Panthers again. He even had a brief stint with the Giants back in 2024, though his last regular season action came that year with Indianapolis.
Long won a championship with the Rams in 2021, and his Michigan background means Harbaugh knows him well through his brother, Jim Harbaugh. At 28, Long provides veteran depth and familiarity with winning cultures at the NFL level.
James, meanwhile, was a sixth-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks
two years ago. He also spent time with the New England Patriots
before playing for the Orlando Storm in the UFL this season. He's a younger, developmental option who adds a different profile to the room.
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Harbaugh confident in cornerback depth
Despite the additions, Harbaugh has expressed consistent confidence in the cornerback group throughout camp.
"It's competitive. Guys are competing," Harbaugh said. "I really feel good about our corner depth. I think we've got some guys there, so we're just going to let those guys keep competing, and it brings out the best in everybody. I thought all the corners played well [on Wednesday]."
That confidence is grounded in real investment
. The Giants signed Paulson Adebo
in free agency last offseason and added Greg Newsome
this year, and those two occupy the starting outside cornerback spots. Dru Phillips
holds down the nickel role in the slot.
Beyond the starters, New York's roster includes former first-round pick Deonte Banks
, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Korie Black
, Art Green, second-round pick Colton Hood
, and Nic Jones
. Adding Long and James to that group makes it one of the more crowded position rooms in camp.
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New system creates open competition
The Giants are installing a new defensive system under coordinator Dennard Wilson. With fresh scheme concepts in place, the starting spots are not locked in based on prior seasons or draft pedigree alone. Players who fit Wilson's system and perform well throughout camp will earn opportunities during the regular season.
That philosophy aligns with how Harbaugh has approached the roster broadly since arriving in New York. The Giants have made it clear that volume at cornerback is intentional, and the results tend to reward teams willing to let competition sort itself out rather than handing jobs based on investment alone.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Giants sign 2 players at the same premium position as John Harbaugh pushes competition at key spot during training camp
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