Giants 53-Man Roster Projection

The Giants play football this Saturday in their preseason opener. It’s been a long haul folks but football is finally back…somewhat. With the return of a much-needed preseason, here is my final roster projection before all the fun starts.

Quarterbacks:

1. Daniel Jones

2. Mike Glennon

This is pretty straightforward to me. Clayton Thorson could end up on the practice squad, but at this moment the Giants carry two quarterbacks on the roster.

Running backs:

1. Saquon Barkley
2. Devante Booker
3. Corey Clement
4. Eli Penny

The Giants get Barkley back who was activated off the PUP list. Booker and Clement will retain the backup spots and see some rotation in there as well. Penny gets the fullback spot in the offense, but can also serve as a reserve being a converted running back to fullback. If veterans are allowed to like last season, I see Morris being retained on the practice squad along with rookie Gary Brightwell.

Wide Receiver:

1. Kenny Golladay
2. Darius Slayton
3. Sterling Shepard
4. Kadarious Toney
5. John Ross
6. Dante Pettis

This was tough when I got to the 6th spot. David Sills has had a great training camp and has shown his productivity when healthy, key word healthy. When he is, especially in camp, it’s his second strong summer he’s had. However, Pettis has the speed and ability to return kicks along with teammate Kadarious Toney. I think Pettis’ style with speed could be more of a reserve option if injuries were to happen. I absolutely see Sills being on the practice squad. The Giants have some legitimate receivers at the top of their lineup this year, staying healthy will be a priority.

Tight Ends:

1. Evan Engram
2. Kyle Rudolph
3. Kaden Smith
4. Jake Hausmann

With Levine Toilolo going down for the season with an Achilles tear, I decided to add the new guy to the roster, Jake Hausmann who was just signed days ago. He’s known for being a blocking tight end at Ohio State, as that was the role Toilolo had. Smith is a very good run blocking tight end also, so his role may increase. I was tempted to have Rysen John make the roster with his 6’7 frame, but I believe the Giants will want to solidify the run blocking abilities of the tight ends. Engram and Rudolph make it with no questions, as Giants fans are hoping for a leap year with Engram.

O-Line

1. Andrew Thomas
2. Shane Leimuex
3. Nick Gates
4. Will Hernandez
5. Matt Peart
6. Nate Solder
7. Jonnothan Harrison
8. Kenny Wiggins

Giants keep 8 offensive linemen for a group that seems to be struggling with depth. Nate Solder will be the swing tackle, Harrison provides some depth at center, while Wiggins provides some veteran experience at guard. I believe Chad Slade could be a practice squad guy again, and I wouldn’t have any doubts if he made the roster with the depth being so thin. Rookie Brett Heggie should make the practice squad, and has had some flashes in camp.

D-Line

1. Leonard Williams
2. Dexter Lawrence
3. BJ Hill
4. Austin Johnson
5. Danny Shelton

The Giants keep 5 lineman on the roster due to Williams being one of their leading pass rushers. They can put him inside or outside, he has the capabilities to rush the passer and get home. Lawrence gets the spot of Tomlinson who left in free agency with Minnesota. Hill, Shelton, and Johnson should have a good rotation going on the interior.

Edge:

1. Azeez Ojulari
2. Lorenzo Carter
3. Oshane Ximines
4. Ifeadi Odenigbo
5. Cam Brown
6. Elerson Smith

Besides the offensive line, this is the next group I am deeply concerned with. I am keeping a higher number of players here due to the lack of trust with its depth. There is not one proven player on this list, and full of questions. I think there will be a large amount of rotation at this position, meaning there won’t be many true starters. Ojulari had production in college, and hopefully can bring that to the next level. Carter and Ximines are coming off injuries, and I would not be surprised if Ximines was a surprise cut. Odenigbo can do a good job of creating pressure and can even be used inside as an interior defensive lineman. Cam Brown had some okay moments last year, but made some great tackles on special teams. Elerson Smith is a rookie this season and has a lot to prove, not much buzz about him in camp. Anderson has had a back injury that has had him unable to participate in camp. That is the major part that concerns me. They released him and brought him back a day later. I think the injury concern lands him off the official roster.

Line backer:

1. Blake Martinez
2. Tae Crowder
3. Reggie Ragland
4. Carter Coughlin

The Giants keep four linebackers on the roster. Martinez is the starter who is a tackling machine. A good battle between Crowder and Ragland May take place, but I believe Crowder has the edge on him with the familiarity of the system and also staying healthy. Ragland provides good depth and gives the opportunity to see more snaps. Coughlin is newly changed to ILB, as he came into the league as an edge rusher. He has speed and athletic ability where they trust him to cover players and move inside.

Corner back:

1. James Bradberry
2. Adoree Jackson
3. Aaron Robinson
4. Darnay Holmes
5. Rodarious Williams
6. Madre Harper

Bradberry has his best career season last year making his first Pro-Bowl. Jackson was brought over in free agency from Tennessee and should get the starting job on the opposite side. Holmes and Robinson will maintain the slot. Williams has had an impressive camp and makes the team as a rookie. He has shown his ability to create turnovers and can provide some quality depth. Harper makes it over Yiadom due to his special teams attributions. He was a good gunner last year and even recovered a fumble on the punt team.

Safety:

1. Jabrill Peppers
2. Logan Ryan
3. Xavier McKinney
4. Julian Love
5. Nate Ebner

The Giants are loaded at safety. McKinney should see more of a role if healthy. Love is a good reserve guy who tackles well and can also play corner. Ebner has been rumored to get resigned when he passed his physical. He provides some good special teams leadership skills.

Special Teams:

1. Graham Gano
2. Riley Dixon
3. Casey Kreiter

Pretty straightforward for the most part. Even though backup kicker Ryan Santoso drilled a 66 yard field goal in training camp.