The New York Giants are set to cut their roster down to 53 by tomorrow, September 5th. Keep in mind, the Giants can have 55 players activated on game day due to the new regulations passed in response to COVID. However, they still have a 53-man active roster. They are allowed to activate 2 additional players on game-day. Their first game against the Pittsburgh Steelers will be coming up in just 8 days. Here is my final prediction for the Giants final roster to start the season.
Quarterbacks:
- Daniel Jones
- Colt McCoy
The Giants keep two quarterbacks on their team, mostly because the NFL’s new practice squad eligibility can allow a player like Cooper Rush to be added to it. This would help if a case of COVID hits the QB room and the Giants need to activate a QB for game-day. This will give the Giants a few ideas for a backup behind Daniel Jones in case an opportunity arises.
Runningback:
- Saquon Barkley
- Wayne Gallman
- Dion Lewis
- (FB) Eli Penny
Giants keep three runningbacks and their FB Eli Penny. Gallman provides some power running behind Saqoun and Lewis is a reliable pass-catching back who is versitle.
Wide Recievers:
- Golden Tate
- Sterling Shepard
- Darius Slayton
- Corey Coleman
- CJ Board
- BinJimen Victor
The top three on the list are locked in. Coleman has shown some great speed and hands during the last few scrimmages. He looks very healthy after coming of a torn ACL in 2019. Board has made some spectacular catches this summer, and had a great TD catch in the scrimmage from this week. I still have high hopes for Victor who was relatively quiet this summer. He is the tallest WR on the squad at 6’4. Victor could provide a nice red-zone target for Jones, and to have a different look at receiver with a vertical threat.
Tight ends:
- Evan Engram
- Kaden Smith
- Levine Toilolo
Engram and Smith will be utilized more in the passing game. Toilolo will serve as an extra blocker along with Smith. Both players have demonstrated great run-blocking abilities.
Offensive Line:
- Andrew Thomas
- Will Hernandez
- Nick Gates
- Kevin Zeitler
- Cam Flemming
- Spencer Pulley
- Shane Lemieux
- Matt Peart
The Giants have a group of lineman that are exchangeable. Many of these players can play more than one position. That will help them when it comes time to depth. Giants just signed Halpio, but with Pulley having all summer with the team and gaining the live reps, I believe he beats out Halpio.
Defensive Line:
- Dalvin Tomlinson
- Dexter Lawrence
- Leonard Williams
- BJ Hill
- Austin Johnson
Giants have a big group of hog-mollies. I had RJ McIntosh making the roster last time, and I still believe he has the capability of doing so. However, I believe the Giants will value Austin Johnson more and he will be selected over McIntosh.
Edge:
- Lorenzo Carter
- Oshane Ximines
- Carter Coughlin
- Kyler Fackrell
- Markus Golden
Carter had 4 sacks in their first team scrimmage, and he continued to be a force in the run game during the most recent scrimmage this week. Hopefully this is the year Carter takes the leap and remains consistent. Ximines is another guy to watch out for. He had a decent year last season posting 4.5 sacks his rookie year. He looks to be another guy that takes a leap. Coughlin had a quiet summer, but he still posseses some of the attributes to be a successful pass rusher. We shall see how he ends up. Markus Golden returns to the Giants after a 10-sack season. He provides veteran leadership on the edge with veteran teammate Kyler Fackrell.
Linebackers:
- Blake Martinez
- Ryan Connelly
- David Mayo
- TJ Brunson
- Tae Crowder
- Devante Downs
- Cam Brown
The Giants keep all three of their rookie LBs on the squad. Brunson showed nice coverage making a diving pass breakup that was almost intercepted in the last scrimmage. Tae Crowder has also shown good cover skills and hit power. Cam Brown can be utilized in blitz packages. Devante Downs has shown many great things during the summer and continues to show his play making ability.
Cornerbacks:
- James Bradberry
- Corey Ballentine
- Logan Ryan
- Darnay Holmes
- Isaac Yiadom
The Giants go with 5 corners to start the season. After Bakers trouble and Beal’s opt out, the Giants have been slim at corner. I labeled newly acquired DB Logan Ryan as a corner for now, but I believe he will be seeing more time at safety. Grant Haley falls off the depth chart after a struggling 2019 and not much of a flashy summer. Holmes has shown great athleticism and has operated in the slot. Yiadom was traded from Denver, and I can see him getting game action. Rookie Chris Williamson will spend time on the practice squad.
Safeties:
- Jabrill Peppers
- Xavier McKinney
- Julian Love
- Nate Ebner
- Sean Chandler
I have Love listed as a safety, but I can see him playing slot corner with Holmes. After McKinney’s injury, Logan Ryan could see time in that spot. Peppers will be the main man at safety and Ebner is the special teams ace. Chandler will have opportunities on both the defense and special teams as he has in the past.
Special Teams:
- (K) Graham Gano
- (P) Riley Dixon
- (LS) Casey Kreiter
Gano has looked well coming off his leg injury and not kicking for some time. He hit a 47 yard field goal last week in one of their scrimmages, including a game-winning field goal from around 42 yards. Dixon has been a solid punter for the Giants, and Kreiter has been on the Giants squad all summer at the long snapping position.