It’s mid-May, and we are eager for the 2021 NFL season to kick off. As teams have had rookie mini camps across the league and voluntary workouts, we are inching closer to the start of the season. Since the draft has ended and a few more signings have occurred, here is my first 53-man roster prediction of 2021.
QB:
- Daniel Jones
- Mike Glennon
The Giants keep two quarterbacks on the roster as they did last season,
RB:
- Saquon Barkley
- Devante Booker
- Corey Clement
- Eli Penny (FB)
The Giants rookie Gary Brightwell will spend time on the practice squad after the addition of Clement, who can be an asset in the screen game. Booker and Clement serve as insurance in case something happens to Barkley, who will receive the bulk of the carries.
TE:
- Evan Engram
- Kyle Rudolph
- Levine Toilolo
- Kelvin Benjamin
Smith does not make the cut although I think he has potential. The Giants have not used him the way they did in Jone’s rookie season where he looked good. He is replaced by Benjamin, who has not played since 2018. Is it crazy? Maybe, but Benjamin does bring a red zone threat to the Giants offense which they have lacked for many years. Toilolo is used for his blocking ability. Rudolph can also be a target in the red zone and brings veteran leadership. Engram is the best tight end on the roster if he can stay healthy and work on his drops. It is a position that has quality within the depth chart.
OL:
- Andrew Thomas
- Will Hernandez
- Nick Gates
- Shane Leimuex
- Matt Peart
- Nate Solder
- Chad Slade
- Jonottan Harrison
The main position that every Giants fan will keep their eyes on this season. The Giants roll with eight offensive lineman after not addressing that position in the draft. They keep veteran Jonottan Harrison as a quality backup on the interior. Nate Solder took a pay cut who will likely serve as a swing tackle. Chad Slade has showed some flashes during his time with the Giants, and that gets him a spot.
WR:
- Kenny Golladay
- Sterling Shepard
- Darius Slayton
- Kadarius Toney
- John Ross
- Dante Pettis
The Giants went all-in on wide receivers this offseason, with the addition of Golladay and Toney. The unsung signing would be Ross who is a speedster that could be a threat when healthy. Pettis was acquired mid-season last year and used towards the end of the year. He is good in the return game if the Giants decide to utilize him there.
DL:
- Leonard Williams
- Dexter Lawrence
- BJ Hill
- Ifeadi Odenigbo
- Austin Johnson
The Giants brought back their best pass rusher in Williams on a large deal. They went out and signed Odenigbo and brought back Johnson. Shelton just misses the cut. Lawrence will look to fill the void of Dalvin Tomlinson who was let go to the Vikings. Hill will be the reliable rotational guy he’s been the last few years.
EDGE:
- Azeez Ojulari
- Lorenzo Carter
- Oshane Ximines
- Carter Coughlin
- Elerson Smith
- Cam Brown
The Giants are very young when it comes to the edge rushers. They are hoping Carter and Ximines bounce back from their injuries and rookies Ojulari and Smith develop well. Coughlin and Brown have the speed to set the edge and did a good job of that last season.
CB:
- James Bradberry
- Adore Jackson
- Darnay Holmes
- Rodarius Williams
- Aaron Robinson
- Madre Harper
The Giants addressed corner in the offseason bringing over Jackson from Tennessee and drafting Robinson and Williams. Bradberry had one of his best seasons as a pro last year with hopes of continuing that level of play. Harper makes the team based on special teams and his ability to be a gunner on punt team and kickoff.
LB:
- Blake Martinez
- Tae Crowder
- Reggie Ragland
- Ryan Anderson
The Giants look thin at line backer, but they will likely drop some of their edge guys back. New additions like Ragland and Anderson make the cut, Devante Downs misses out. Tae Crowder was a surprising spark last year after being the “Mr. Irrelevant” selection of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Safety:
- Logan Ryan
- Xavier McKinney
- Jabrill Peppers
- Julian Love
- Nate Ebner
The Giants have a very good unit at safety. They resigned Logan Ryan this season and McKinney should hold more of a role this year than his rookie season where he missed time due to a foot injury. Nate Ebner makes the roster for his special teams contributions.
Special Teams:
K: Graham Gano
P: Riley Dixon
LS: Kasey Kreiter
Strighforward with these guys. Gano had a terrific year in his first year as a Giant. Dixon has been solid in his tenure here despise an up and down year last year. Kreiter has done well taking the place of long time long snapper Zak DeOssie.
About Dylan Davis
Dylan Davis is a graduate of the State University of New York at Canton, where he obtained a B.A.A in Sport Management. He is a former athlete of football and baseball and sports fan for much of his life. Dylan creates content for 366 Sports and New York Giants 366, and is also a host on his own show, “The J&D Sports Show”.
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