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The Giants play in their last preseason game on Sunday against their MetLife Stadium neighbors, the New York Jets. With that being said, here is my final 53-man roster prediction before the cuts deadline.
Quarterback:
Daniel Jones
Tyrod Taylor
I think the Giants will try to keep Davis Webb on the practice squad, as he is a great asset to have in the film room. Tyrod has the starting experience in the NFL and can be reliable if there is any time that his number is called.
Running backs:
Saquon Barkley
Antonio Williams
Jashaun Corbin
Gary Brightwell
Matt Breida has not been active for all three preseason games, and has been hurt since training camp. Williams has had a strong preseason so far, and Corbin has shown some flashes as well. Both Williams and Corbin are also healthy, while Brightwell is still banged up, but did look good in the first preseason game. Brightwell also contributes well on special teams.
Wide Receiver
Kenny Golladay
Sterling Shepard
Kadarius Toney
Wan’Dale Robinson
Richie James
Darius Slayton
Is it a surprise that Slayton made the roster? Yes and no. Yes because I had a hard time choosing between him and David Sills, but went with the game-time experience. If Collin Johnson was healthy, I think that would have meant Slayton was not making it. The other hardest one to keep on the roster was James, but he can contribute to special teams, and we saw him return a few punts this preseason. With Board banged up with a rib injury, I think that gives James a bigger shot to make the roster.
Tight Ends:
Daniel Bellinger
Chris Myarick
Austin Allen
Tanner Hudson
Giants keep four tight ends? Yes. Why? Simply because there is a lack of depth at this position. Bellinger and Allen are both rookies, and Myarick have a very small amount of game action last season. Hudson is brand new to the squad as of yesterday. These tight ends combined have around eight receptions in their careers.
Offensive Line:
Andrew Thomas
Shane Lemieux
Jon Feliciano
Mark Glowinski
Evan Neal
Devery Hamilton
Ben Bredeson
Joshua Ezeudu
Jamil Douglas
The Giants offensive line is banged up, but what else is new right? Head coach Brian Daboll hinted that Lemieux may not be ready for week one, which means Hamilton may get the start week one. Hamilton has actually been a bright spot for the line this preseason, has looked good so far. Bredeson is a player Daboll thinks highly of, but he is also banged up.
Defensive Line:
Dexter Lawrence
Leonard Williams
Justin Ellis
DJ Davidson
Jalyn Holmes
Lawrence and Williams are locks. Ellis has played in Wink’s scheme before, and can benefit from being part of the rotation on defense. Davidson is one of the Giants rookies this season, who showed some flashes against Cincinnati.
EDGE
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Azeez Ojulari
Oshane Ximines
Quincy Roche
Jihad Ward
Elerson Smith has not shown as much as I think many Giants fans were hoping to see this summer. Ximines has somewhat bounced back a bit after a horrendous 2021 season. Ward seems to be a leader in the locker room, and veteran experience in Wink’s defense. Roche had a promising season last year, and hopefully can be part of the rotation this year.
Linebackers:
Blake Martinez
Tae Crowder
Micah McFadden
Carter Coughlin
Cam Brown
Martinez and Crowder seem to be the starters. McFadden has been showing some promise in the preseason thus far, making tackles and recognizing the plays well. Coughlin and Brown were both drafted as edge rushers, but have emerged to play inside at line backer. Brown is more of a special teams ace, and Coughlin provides some depth.
Cornerback:
Adoree’ Jackson
Aaron Robinson
Darnay Holmes
Cor’Dale Flott
Darren Evans
Holmes has had the best camp/summer out of all of the corners on the roster, making interceptions almost every practice. The Giants also lack substantial depth at corner as well, which can be a concern. Flott is banged up but showed some good attributes this summer. Like Flott, Evans is a rookie out of LSU who played well against Cincinnati. He might be able to squeeze his way into a corner back room that is far from closed. Rodarius Williams has not been healthy yet, and most likely doesn’t make the cut.
Safety:
Xavier McKinney
Julian Love
Dane Belton
Yusuf Corker
Trenton Thompson
With Belton having a broken collarbone, the Giants may keep five safeties to start the season. We have seen during the summer the Giants like to use the 3-man safety look. Corker and Thompson could rotate into that role until Belton is healthy and ready to return.
Special Teams
Graham Gano
Jamie Gillan
Casey Kreiter
Gano currently has a concussion, so the giants brought back Ryan Santoso. If for any reason Gano was not ready for week one, Santoso would likely be brought in.