The New York Giants, in their first offseason under new head coach John Harbaugh, made several much-needed additions across the roster.
Defensively, things are going to look a lot different from years past. For starters, Dexter Lawrence won’t be the featured threat at the heart of the Giants’ defensive line, but hoping to recreate his production in the aggregate are D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris.
Out is Bobby Okereke, in is former Chicago Bears linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds. He and No. 5 overall pick Arvell Reese figure to make a strong impact off the ball.
Offensively, No. 10 overall pick Francis Mauigoa figures to be a Day 1 starter on the offensive line, and Jaxson Dart has several new weapons to work with, including Darnell Mooney and Isaiah Likely.
But there’s another free agent addition New York has made to its offense that hasn’t been talked about as much, and that’s former Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard.
Patrick Ricard Expected to Make Major Impact With Giants
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay believes Ricard will have a major impact on the New York Giants, thanks to Harbaugh’s offensive identity of a hard-nosed rushing team.
“The New York Giants made a huge move to reinforce their backfield under new head coach John Harbaugh, although the team’s pickup of Patrick Ricard didn’t create as much buzz as it should have,” wrote Kay.
“It’s not surprising that a fullback signing (even a record-breaking two-year, $7.7 million one) didn’t generate many headlines. Although it’s not a glamorous position, Ricard’s presence will give Big Blue the massive boost it needs to return to prominence at the start of the Harbaugh era.”
Ricard, a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, has an opportunity to help take this Giants running game to another level.
New York was already the fifth-best rushing team in 2025, averaging 129.1 yards per game off the backs of Tyrone Tracy and Cam Skattebo. But with Ricard leading the way, it should only get better.
Harbaugh knows a thing or two about a productive ground game. Throughout his 18 years in Baltimore, the Ravens were a top-five rushing team 10 out of 18 seasons.
Ricard was present for nine of those seasons and should help provide a smooth transition from Baltimore to New York.
He just may live up to that record-setting two-year, $7.7 million contract the 31-year-old signed in free agency.
No One’s More Excited to be in New York Than Patrick Ricard
After spending nine years in Baltimore to start his NFL career, making the switch to the New York Giants has to be a new sensation for Ricard.
Regardless, he couldn’t be more excited to be following his head coach to New York, and is ready to help spearhead a Giants renaissance.
“I know what I’m getting myself into. I know exactly the type of team he wants, exactly what he expects out of you, and the team in general. And I love the way he coaches,” Ricard told NFL insider Jordan Schultz in an interview.
“I know what I’m getting myself into. I love the way he coaches. He wants a physical, tough team that works very hard. He told me: ‘I’m building a bully up here in New York.’” 😤😤
“He wants a physical, tough team that works very hard. He didn’t have to bring me up here. He could have just been like, you know what, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I’m with my new team. I’m gonna start anew. But he wanted me up here, and that meant a lot to me.”
We’ll see how quickly Ricard will be able to help instill Harbaugh’s football values in this new iteration of the Giants, and if their run game will be as potent as it was over the last two decades in Baltimore.
Giants ‘Underrated’ Free Agent Addition Expected to Make Surprise Impact