Odell Beckham Jr. is set to make a return to the New York spotlight for the first time in eight years. The team confirmed his signing on Monday, following a series of meetings with the veteran wide receiver. While his most dominant days are likely behind him, this move appears to be a fitting curtain call for his illustrious career, offering a new receiving option for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Beckham’s arrival isn’t expected to significantly impact the roles of star receiver Malik Nabers or established player Darius Slayton. However, his presence will undoubtedly shake up the lower end of the New York Giants’ wide receiver depth chart. As the 2026 season approaches, let’s break down how the Giants’ receiving corps is likely to stack up and where Beckham Jr. fits into the picture.
New York Giants Wide Receiver Depth Chart for 2026
The Giants have been active in bolstering their receiving unit to complement young star Malik Nabers. Despite losing Wandale Robinson to the Tennessee Titans, the team has made several key additions, bringing in Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin, Braxton Berrios, and now, Odell Beckham Jr.
Here’s a projected look at the Giants’ wide receiver hierarchy for the upcoming season:
- Malik Nabers
- Darius Slayton
- Darnell Mooney
- Calvin Austin
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- Jaylin Hyatt
- Braxton Berrios
Malik Nabers: The Undisputed Leader
Despite missing a significant portion of the 2025 season due to an ACL tear suffered last September, Malik Nabers is poised to remain at the top of the Giants’ wide receiver depth chart. Drafted sixth overall in 2024 out of LSU, Nabers is widely considered the most talented receiver in the Giants’ locker room. His rookie season alone saw him earn a Pro Bowl selection, accumulating an impressive 1,475 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 127 receptions. The key question remains how effectively Nabers will return to form post-injury, but if he recaptures his previous performance level, he’ll undoubtedly be a top-tier NFL receiver once again.
Darius Slayton: Stepping into the WR-2 Role
With the departure of Wandale Robinson to Tennessee, Darius Slayton now stands as the unquestioned WR-2 for the Giants. When Nabers was sidelined last season, Slayton became a crucial target for quarterback Jaxson Dart, helping to guide the offense through the difficult period. Last year, Slayton recorded 37 receptions for 538 yards and a touchdown. These numbers are expected to see an increase across the board now that Robinson is no longer on the roster, and his established seniority within the team, ahead of newcomers like Mooney and Austin, solidifies his position.
Darnell Mooney: A Valuable Addition to the Depth
In March, the Giants secured Darnell Mooney from the Atlanta Falcons, a move aimed at strengthening the depth of their receiving corps. While Beckham’s arrival shouldn’t directly threaten Mooney’s standing as the team’s WR-3, the veteran receiver might see his individual statistics slightly impacted by the increased competition for targets. Mooney has consistently been one of the NFL’s more overlooked, yet effective, receivers. He achieved over 1,000 receiving yards in his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears and narrowly missed that mark in 2024. As the fourth option in a crowded receiving room, Mooney will likely operate as a valuable, albeit secondary, target for Dart, with Nabers and Slayton commanding the primary attention.
Calvin Austin: Opportunities Amidst Competition
Even with Odell Beckham Jr.’s return to New York, Calvin Austin is expected to remain Jaxson Dart’s fourth receiving option for the 2026 season. With Gunner Olszewski potentially sidelined for the entire season, Austin may find a significant portion of his yardage coming from his role as a kick and punt returner. Throughout his three-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Austin has only surpassed the 500-yard receiving mark once, in 2024. In a Giants receiving room that is considerably more competitive than what he experienced in Pittsburgh, Austin will need to make the most of his limited offensive opportunities to establish himself within Matt Nagy’s scheme.
Odell Beckham Jr.: A Veteran Presence with Lingering Questions
While it’s possible Beckham could climb higher on the depth chart as the season unfolds, it’s prudent to manage expectations for the 33-year-old. Beckham’s 2025 season was cut short by a six-game suspension for a positive drug test for performance-enhancing substances, prematurely ending his tenure with the Miami Dolphins. The season prior, in 2024, he appeared in nine games for Miami, registering just nine receptions for 55 yards. He did show flashes of his former self in 2023, tallying 565 yards, 35 catches, and three touchdowns with the Baltimore Ravens under John Harbaugh. However, it remains to be seen how heavily the Giants will lean on him compared to his Baltimore days.
Jaylin Hyatt: Youth and an Old Number
The name Jaylin Hyatt has, at times, been a source of frustration for Giants fans. The 2023 third-round pick has had a challenging start to his NFL career, yet to record his first touchdown. Across three seasons, Hyatt has amassed a modest 470 receiving yards on 36 receptions. Beckham’s arrival will likely present an additional hurdle for Hyatt’s playing time and development. However, his youth remains a significant advantage. An interesting tidbit for fans to note is that Hyatt currently wears Beckham’s iconic No. 13 jersey.
Braxton Berrios: A Utility Player with Return Potential
Braxton Berrios joined the Giants just an hour before Beckham Jr.’s signing. Known to some for his association with social media influencer Alix Earle, Berrios has been seeking to reignite his career since leaving the New York Jets after the 2022 season, where he served as a versatile offensive piece. His career has been somewhat stagnant since then. He did have a serviceable 238-yard season in his first year with the Dolphins in 2023, but has only played in 10 games since that campaign. Given the recent injury to Gunner Olszewski, Berrios could also find a role contributing to the Giants’ return game.
