This will probably be way off, but the discussion is still worthwhile
The 2025 New York Giants haven’t even been on the field as a team yet, and won’t be for several weeks. Still, the majority of the roster construction is done. So, let’s take a guess at what the roster might look like if the Giants had to play a game this weekend.
Like the depth chart we posted on Monday, this is really just for fun. It can help us see where the roster competitions are, and the decisions that will have to be made.
So, here goes.
OFFENSE (25)
Quarterback (3) — Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart
Out: Tommy DeVito
Sorry, DeVito-maniacs. Unless somebody gets hurt, it’s practice squad or another team’s roster for Tommy Cutlets.
Running back (3) — Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, Can Skattebo
Out: Eric Gray, Dante Miller
Gray is a player the Giants selected in 2023 after Joe Schoen admitted that other potential kick/punt return options they had been considering were off the board. Gray never really established himself as a trustworthy option as a runner or returner. Skattebo makes him superfluous.
Tight end (3) — Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz
Out: Greg Dulcich, Thomas Fidone
I hate to cut Fidone, but in this early projection I have him landing on the practice squad. If the Giants find room for four tight ends, he would be in.
I think there is a possibility that Fidone competes with Bellinger for a 2025 roster spot. I know there are many out there who think Bellinger is under-utilized and under-appreciated by the Giants. I might even be in that camp. I just don’t think the Giants see Bellinger the way many in the fan base do. At the least, I think Fidone could be a developmental option on the practice squad and a potential replacement for Bellinger in 2026, when his rookie contract is up.
I don’t see the Giants cutting Manhertz, a 10-year veteran. GM Joe Schoen spoke during the draft about the fact that he would like to have an established veteran leader as part of each position group. For the tight ends, that’s Manhertz.
Wide receiver (7) — Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, Antwane ‘Juice’ Wells
Out: Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Zach Pascal
If I had the courage, I would leave Hyatt off this projection. Schoen barely mentions the third-year wide receiver’s name. I think, though, there might be a place for Hyatt on the roster running under some Wilson moonballs.
With six undrafted free agent wide receivers, though, something is up. I think it indicates that the Giants may want to revamp the bottom of their receiver depth chart, and I don’t think Hyatt enters the summer guaranteed to make the roster.
I think Wells, who played with Dart at Ole Miss, and Da’Quan Felton would be the early UDFA favorites to sneak onto the roster.
Offensive line (9) — Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., John Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten, Jermaine Eleumunor, Marcus Mbow, James Hudson III, Jake Kubas, Evan Neal
Out: Aaron Stinnie, Josh Ezeudu, Stone Forsythe,
There are soooo many ways to go here.
- Evan Neal could be a starting guard. He could also end up cut or traded.
- Greg Van Roten could a starter. He could be a swing backup at center and guard. He could get cut if the Giants like their younger options better, although that seems unlikely.
- Kubas could win a starting guard job. He could land on the practice squad.
- Mbow could end up as a backup right tackle. He could end up as a starting guard
I would say that entering the summer, Neal, Kubas, Van Roten, Stinnie, Ezeudu and Forsythe are all bubble players at some level.
DEFENSE (25)
Defensive line (6) — Dexter Lawrence, D.J. Davidson, Chauncey Golston, Darius Alexander, Elijah Chatman, Roy Robertson-Harris,
Out: Jeremiah Ledbetter, Jordon Riley
This is another position I think is unpredictable. Ledbetter has been an adequate pro, and won’t be an easy cut. The Giants have put two years of work into Riley, and there might still be some upside there. Elijah Garcia and Cory Durden did some nice things at the end of the season.
I would love to sneak a seventh defensive lineman onto the roster, but I don’t see a path right now.
Outside linebacker (4) — Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, Victor Dimukeje
Out: Tomon Fox
I wonder about one thing here. Golston has the flexibility to play standing up, something he did a lot with the Dallas Cowboys. Could the Giants cut Dimukeje and use that roster spot for an extra player at another spot, banking on Golston’s flexibility to provide them depth at this spot?
Inside linebacker (5) — Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Darius Muasau, Dyontae Johnson, Chris Board
Out: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
I think five inside linebackers might be heavy, especially with Carter likely to steal some snaps at that spot. Today, though, I can’t bring myself to cut Johnson.
Cornerback (6) — Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, Cor’Dale Flott, Tre Hawkins, Korie Black
Out: Art Green, Dee Williams
The big question here isn’t the roster. It’s what will the Giants get out of Deonte Banks?
Safety (4) — Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton, Anthony Johnson
Out: Raheem Layne
I am not in love with the depth behind Holland and Nubin. Belton and Johnson, though, are what the Giants have.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
Placekicker — Graham Gano
Punter — Jamie Gillan
Long snapper — Casey Kreiter
Out: PK Jude McAtamney
