Story perspectives

Giants’ Newsome Predicts Cornerback Showdown vs Cowboys Week 1

9/10/2026

Summary

Pickens Challenges Giants

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens said the Giants lack the league’s best cornerback room.
Giants cornerback Greg Newsome II said the team has the league’s deepest cornerback room.
Newsome said the Giants will be ready to challenge Pickens and CeeDee Lamb in Week 1.
Pickens recorded 93 receptions, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns in the 2025 season.
He signed a one-year franchise tender worth $27.3 million in late April.

Summary

Giants Cut Slayton

Giants cut wide receiver Darius Slayton, saving $2.5 million on his $13 million contract.
Tight end Isaiah Likely will start and could score two touchdowns in his debut.
Rookie linebacker Arvell Reese is projected to intercept Dak Prescott in the season opener.
Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton retained the starting job after beating Nate Thomas in camp.
Cowboys right tackle Terence Steele will start Week 1, though new acquisition Broderick Jones adds competition.

History

Historical Context

The 1994 NFL free-agency era, launched after the 1993 collective bargaining agreement, reshaped team payrolls and player movement across the league. The Dallas Cowboys signed wide receiver Michael Irvin to a $30 million contract in 1995, the league’s largest at the time. Today, the Giants cut Darius Slayton to save $2.5 million while the Cowboys tendered George Pickens for $27.3 million, echoing the cap-driven roster reshuffles born in 1994. These moves illustrate how the 1994 free-agency framework continues to dictate competitive depth charts and financial strategies for franchises like New York and Dallas.

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Pickens Challenges Giants

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens said the Giants lack the league’s best cornerback room.
Giants cornerback Greg Newsome II said the team has the league’s deepest cornerback room.
Newsome said the Giants will be ready to challenge Pickens and CeeDee Lamb in Week 1.
Pickens recorded 93 receptions, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns in the 2025 season.
He signed a one-year franchise tender worth $27.3 million in late April.

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