With time growing short before initial 53-man rosters have to be set on August 26, let’s update our projection for the New York Giants. The final projection will be made following the Thursday, Aug. 21 preseason finale against the New England Patriots.
OFFENSE
Quarterback (3) — Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart
Out: Tommy DeVito
(Change: None)
Status quo here. There is no room on the 53-man roster for DeVito unless there is an injury or someone offers the Giants so much for Jameis Winston that they can’t say no.
Running back (4) — Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, Cam Skattebo, Dante Miller
Out: Eric Gray, Jonathan Ward
(Change: Miller in)
Miller’s performance against the Buffalo and Skattebo’s sketchy health add up to keeping an extra running back. Skattebo did not practice much in the spring, and is now sidelined with a hamstring injury that seems like more than a day-to-day thing.
Tight end (4) — Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz, Thomas Fidone
Out: Daniel Bellinger, Greg Dulcich, Jermaine Terry
(Change: Bellinger out)
I stewed over what to do at this position for a looong time. I truthfully don’t know if this is how I will go in my final 53-man projection. Here, though, I have Bellinger out and Fidone in.
Keeping Miller as a fourth running back meant somebody had to lose a roster spot. Honestly, I think Bellinger has been under-utilized and under-appreciated by this coaching staff. If the Giants do cut him they might come to regret it — he will be a good player for someone.
I just feel like Fidone has shown enough that the Giants won’t want to expose him to waivers, and that they could use the $3.4 million in cap savings they could get by releasing Bellinger. Of course, they could force him to take a pay cut if he wants to stay
I don’t really like going with three tight ends, but I also keep remembering that the Giants have occasionally used defensive tackle Elijah Chatman at fullback. They might also be able to get Dulcich to the practice squad as depth.
I know this one would be controversial if the Giants actually did it.
Wide receiver (6) — Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Beaux Collins
Out: Zach Pascal, Juice Wells, Jordan Bly, Montrell Washington, Da’Quan Felton, Gunner Olszewski, Dalen Cambre, Lil’Jordan Humphrey
(Change: Cambre out)
I honestly have no idea what is going to happen with the final wide receiver spot. I am giving the spot to Collins for now as a placeholder while I watch this competition over the remaining two preseason games.
I think Smith-Marsette is safe because of how well he did as a kickoff and punt returner for the Giants last season. But Olszewski, the guy he replaced due to injury, is back. The coaching staff obviously has respect for Olszewski, and he has been getting a lot of looks as a receiver.
I can make an argument for either Washington or Humphrey to get the spot I have tentatively given to Collins. I can also give you reasons to think each of Collins, Washington and Humphrey won’t make the team.
What are those arguments?
- Collins has size and receiving potential, but his special teams ability is unknown.
- Washington has made some plays, but he has missed almost as many opportunities. He is small at 170 pounds, and with Smith-Marsette and Olszewski the Giants don’t really need him as a returner.
- Humphrey is a big-bodied contested catch target, but has only 76 snaps of special teams experience in six seasons. He has not taken a special teams snap since 2022.
I would like to make an argument for Pascal as a logical special teams replacement for the injured Bryce Ford-Wheaton since he has a lot of experience there, but he keeps dropping catchable passes and I question if he has value as a receiver.
In truth, I think there might be a wide receiver on the season-opening 53-man roster who is currently in training camp with another team.
Offensive line (10) — Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., John Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten, Jermaine Eleumunor, Marcus Mbow, James Hudson III, Jake Kubas, Evan Neal, Aaron Stinnie
Out: Josh Ezeudu, Stone Forsythe, Jaison Williams, Austin Schlottman, Jimmy Morrissey, Brian Hudson
(Change: None)
Ten feels heavy, but there isn’t a comfortable cut for me among the players I have kept. If the Giants decide to keep nine offensive linemen, I wonder if they would try to sneak Kubas to the practice squad. That might be a risk they won’t want to take. Kubas did not have a great game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, but the Giants like the former undrafted free agent at both guard and center.
On the flip side, keeping just nine offensive linemen would probably open the ability for the Giants to keep Bellinger — provided that is something they want to do.
Of course, the bigger question right now is whether or not Thomas will be ready to open the season. The fact that he is still on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list is a red flag.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (6) — Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Darius Alexander, Elijah Chatman, Roy Robertson-Harris, Jeremiah Ledbetter
Out: Jordon Riley, D.J. Davidson, Elijah Garcia, Cory Durden
(Change: None)
Early in the offseason I thought Rakeem Nunez-Roches was a candidate to be a salary cap casualty. He is still a Giant, and still seems to have a key role on the defensive line. I would like to replace veteran Jeremiah Ledbetter, but right now I can’t come up with a reason Jordon Riley or D.J. Davidson should get that spot instead of Ledbetter. Other than Riley and Davidson having been Joe Schoen draft picks.
I was tempted to drop Ledbetter and keep only five players at this spot, but six feels right.
Outside linebacker (4) — Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, Chauncey Golston
Out: Tomon Fox, Trace Ford, Victor Dimukeje
(Change: None)
Will there be a better edge group than this in the NFL?
Inside linebacker (4) — Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Darius Muasau, Chris Board
Out: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, K.J. Cloyd, Dyontae Johnson
(Change: None)
I still like Dyontae Johnson’s athleticism and his potential as a coverage linebacker. I still can’t figure out a way to keep him on the roster. Board isn’t a great linebacker, but he was signed because of his value as a core special teams player. With Ford-Wheaton and Ty Summers, two core special teamers from a year ago, already on IR the Giants need a player like Board.
Cornerback (6) — Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, Cor’Dale Flott, Tre Hawkins, Nic Jones
Out: Art Green, Dee Williams, TJ Moore, Korie Black
(Change: Jones in)
Injuries have both the starting cornerback spot opposite Adebo and the last couple of depth spots in flux. Hawkins has been out for about a week, and his status is unknown. I am giving him a spot, for now. Black, a seventh-round pick, has missed some time and has been largely unnoticed when he has been on the field. I think he lands on the practice squad.
Jones has gotten some first-team reps, and I will give him the nod for the final roster spot. I won’t be surprised if the Giants look to upgrade the depth at this position when roster cuts are made.
Safety (4) — Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton, K’von Wallace
Out: Raheem Layne, Makari Paige
(Change: Paige out, Wallace in)
I thought Paige had a good chance to make the 53-man roster, and maybe he does, but he seems to be having a quiet summer. That isn’t good for an undrafted free agent rookie. I will take K’von Wallace’s experience as the fourth safety.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
Placekicker — Graham Gano
Punter — Jamie Gillan
Long snapper — Casey Kreiter
Out: PK Jude McAtamney
(Change: None)
McAtamney is not taking Gano’s job. After watching Gano make three field goals of at least 50 yards on Saturday against the Bills, then watching McAtamney struggle to make routine kicks during practice on Wednesday, that is crystal clear.
See More:
