Stock up, down after New York Giants' Week 5 loss to New Orleans Saints

Whose stock is up and whose is down after the New York Giants' Week 5 loss to the New Orleans Saints?

Oct 6, 2025 - 08:00

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Stock up, down after New York Giants' Week 5 loss to New Orleans Saints

The New York Giants surged to a 14-3 lead on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, providing false hope that they would win back-to-back games for the first time in nearly two years. Instead, what followed was a comedy of errors: Eight straight failed drives, five straight giveaways, and a turnover on downs.

A week removed from a shocking upset of the then-unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers, the Giants and rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart came crashing back down to Earth with an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the then-winless New Orleans Saints.

Talk about yin and yang.

Things only get more difficult for the Giants from here. They face a short turnaround and will host the Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) on Thursday Night Football at MetLife Stadium.

Here's a look at whose stock is up and whose is down after the fifth week of the regular season.

Stock up: TE Theo Johnson

Tight end Theo Johnson, who has become close friends with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, got the Giants producing in the red zone early on Sunday. He hauled in two touchdown receptions and finished the game with six receptions on seven targets for 33 yards. The average (5.5) leaves a bit to be desired for the talented tight end, but he did what he could when the opportunities were there.

Stock down: Current regime

There's no other way around it: General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have failed and are failing. How much longer this team has to lose before that becomes an accepted reality is the question. Schoen's roster build has left the team in a precarious position, and Daboll just can't seem to win -- even now that he's got "his guys." There's nowhere else to place blame at this point; there are no remaining scapegoats. This is all on Schoen and Daboll.

Stock up: P Jamie Gillan

The Giants have something special in punter Jamie Gillan. He is, apparently, perfect for the new kickoff rule, pinning the Saints at the 9-yard line and the 18-yard line. He had one touchback, but since it landed in the landing area, it only came back to the 20-yard line. He also had both of his punts down inside the 20-yard line. You can't ask for anything more than that.

Stock down: CB Deonte Banks

Let's start with one quick positive: Deonte Banks looks to be a solid, if not above-average kick returner. He averaged 37.5 yards on two returns in Week 5, and nearly broke one. That's where the good begins and ends when it comes to Banks. He played just eight defensive snaps on Sunday, and his lone highlight was a 25-yard pass interference penalty, negating a Jevon Holland interception.

Stock up: TE Daniel Bellinger

With wide receiver Malik Nabers out for the season, Dart needed a security blanket and found it with tight end Daniel Bellinger. Ole reliable was exactly that on Sunday, hauling in four receptions on four targets for 52 yards. On a day when there was very little positive to highlight, Bellinger deserves his flowers.

Stock down: WR Darius Slayton

Big-money? Check. Captain? Check. Return on investment? Not so much. Wide receiver Darius Slayton may be the Giants' longest-tenured player and a consistent producer, but that comes with a major caveat: At least once a season, Slayton will have a game that everyone would love to forget. That was Week 5. He targeted six times, hauling in three receptions for 31 yards. He twice failed to win a jump ball (granted, they were underthrown), dropped an absolute dime from Dart, and lost a fumble that led to a Saints go-ahead field goal at the end of the first half.