Let’s see who’s in, who’s out
The last time we did a 53-man roster projection for the New York Giants, we had yet to see a practice. Now that offseason practices — rookie minicamp. OTAs, mandatory minicamp — have concluded, let’s update our prediction.
Things will change during training camp. Padded practices, injuries, preseason games, and additions to the roster will all shape the initial 53. Here, though, is a thought on what the roster might look if the Giants had to play this weekend.
OFFENSE (26)
Quarterback (3) — Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart
Out: Tommy DeVito
(No change)
Brian Daboll recently called DeVito the “head statesman” in the quarterback room because he is the only one of the four quarterbacks with experience in the Giants’ scheme. That doesn’t mean he is making the roster.
Running back (3) — Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, Cam Skattebo
Out: Eric Gray, Dante Miller
(No change)
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 (4) — Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz, Thomas Fidone
Out: Greg Dulcich, Jermaine Terry
(Change: Fidone in)
In my earlier projection, I had Fidone being cut and (hopefully) landing on the practice squad. Here, I don’t take the chance. Thing is, right now I’m not 100% sure who is going to end up paying the price, or which position is going to get shorted to make room.
There is an outside chance the Giants could move on from Manhertz and keep three tight ends. Still, GM Joe Schoen has spoken about the value of veteran leadership at each position group. Manhertz provides that, and he is the best blocking tight end on the roster.
Wide receiver (7) — Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Dalen Cambre
Out: Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Zach Pascal, Juice Wells, Jordan Bly, Montrell Washington, Da’Quan Felton, Beaux Collins
(Change: Wells out, Cambre in)
I am on record as having said an undrafted free agent rookie receiver will make the roster. Right now, it is a coin flip for me between Cambre, Felton and Collins. Even though spring production in shorts and t-shirts doesn’t mean much, right now I am going with Cambre because of his spring performance. I was shocked by his play as a receiver this spring after getting just 10 receptions in his college career. He is a special-teamer first, and we haven’t seen him do that yet.
Seven is, of course, a heavy number at wide receiver. If the Giants keep six I do wonder about Humphrey’s status. The Giants have already cut him and brought him back once this offseason.
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, Jaison Williams, Austin Schlottman, Jimmy Morrissey, Brian Hudson
(No change)
The biggest thing to watch in training camp is whether or not Neal can really push for a starting job. If he does, he would almost certainly push Van Roten into a backup role. At that point, the question would become how the Giants would align Neal and Runyan.
We didn’t see Thomas all spring as he works back from Lisfranc surgery, but the Giants simply to be exercising tremendous caution with an important player.
DEFENSE (24)
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: Ledbetter, Nunez-Roches in, Golston now listed at edge)
I somehow forgot Nunez-Roches when I did my last projection, perhaps because I thought earlier in the offseason he would be a cap casualty and wouldn’t get this far. I still think it’s possible Nunez-Roches doesn’t make the team, but in this projection he stays.
I’m adding Ledbetter over Davidson because, in talking with defensive line coach Andre Patterson recently, he seems to like the 31-year-old veteran. I think, though, that Ledbetter is going to have to earn a spot this summer. I’m keeping Chatman over Davidson and Riley and not thinking twice about it.
Outside linebacker (4) — Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, Chauncey Golston
Out: Tomon Fox, Trace Ford, Victor Dimukeje
(Change: Dimukeje out, Golston moved to edge)
In my initial projection I listed Golston as a defensive lineman. He is wearing No. 57 and working with the edge defenders, though. I do think Golston will get moved around to a variety of spots during the season. Dimukeje (pectoral) did not practice all spring.
Inside linebacker (4) — Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Darius Muasau, Chris Board
Out: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Ty Summers, Dyontae Johnson
Remember when I kept Fidone and wondered where I was going to find the roster spot? Well, here it is. Carter’s flexibility to line up off the ball at times allows me to keep only four true inside linebackers.
I hate cutting Johnson, but I think the Giants could slide him to the practice squad. I hate cutting Summers, too, but if the Giants didn’t think they could upgrade his spot they would not have signed both Board and Flannigan-Fowles this offseason. Board was a special teams captain for the Baltimore Ravens last year, and has played more on defense over the years than Summers.
Cornerback (6) — Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, Cor’Dale Flott, Tre Hawkins, Korie Black
Out: Art Green, Dee Williams, RJ Delancy III
(No change)
The big question here is whether or not there is a real competition between Banks and Flott for a starting job.
Safety (4) — Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton, Makari Paige
Out: Raheem Layne, Anthony Johnson
(Change: Johnson out, Paige in)
I am keeping Paige, an undrafted free agent out of Michigan, for now. Maybe Layne wins that spot. Maybe the Giants gamble by keeping just three safeties on the 53 to open a roster spot elsewhere.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
Placekicker — Graham Gano
Punter — Jamie Gillan
Long snapper — Casey Kreiter
Out: PK Jude McAtamney
(No change)
At this point in their careers, McAtamney has a much stronger leg than Gano. That doesn’t mean he is a better kicker.
Final thoughts
This was HARD! It is the hardest projection I have done at this time of the year in a loooong time. Aside from special teams, quarterback and running back I don’t think it is difficult to make an argument that I could have at least one player wrong at every position.
The difficulty of these decisions, and the fact that it is clear a number of players on the Giants’ 90-man roster will land on the 53-man rosters of other teams, is a good thing.