As a reminder folks, this is a “way to early” prediction. It’s all for fun and an idea of what the roster could potentially look like with the information we know today. Obviously many things can change and players can emerge or drop. After the NFL Draft before the summer camps begin, here’s my initial take on the New York Giants 2023 53-man active roster.
QB
Daniel Jones
Tyrod Taylor
Pretty cut and dry here. Tommy DeVito likely goes to the practice squad for the Giants.
RB
Saquon Barkley
Eric Gray
Matt Breida
Gary Brightwell
I have the Giants keeping four running backs, especially in case Barkley ever decides to hold out. Brightwell is more of a special team spot.
TE
Daniel Bellinger
Darren Waller
Lawrence Cager
Three tight ends, wouldn’t be surprised if the Giants kept 4. For now, they have 2 receiving tight ends and another that is both a pass catcher and solid blocker.
WR
Jalin Hyatt
Darius Slayton
Paris Campbell
Wan’Dale Robinson
Sterling Shepard
Isaiah Hodgins
Bryce Ford-Wheaton
Seven receivers on the active roster. Giants are looking for a lot of speed on offense, and have the sky-scrapper threat in Hodgins. Ford-Wheaton makes it based on his 4.3 speed and he’s also 6’4. Robinson could end up starting on the PUP list, so there is a possibility that Jamison Crowder takes his spot until he returns. Jeff Smith has a shot making the roster for special teams, that is where it was tough to put Ford-Wheaton above him but I like his potential.
OL
Andrew Thomas
John Michael-Schmitz
Mark Glowinski
Josh Ezeudu
Evan Neal
Ben Bredeson
Tyree Phillips
Devery Hamilton
Giants keep 3 backups for their line. Bredeson can play both guard and center, Hamilton is also versatile and Phillips is the backup tackle. He also comes in during jumbo formations as an extra blocker.
DL
Dexter Lawrence
Leonard Williams
Rakeem Riches-Nunez
Ashawn Robinson
Giants got some solid players here on the interior defensive line. DJ Davidson does not make the roster, may come back to the practice squad.
EDGE
Kavon Thibideux
Azeez Ojulari
Habakkuk Baldonado
Jihad Ward
Tamon Fox
Giants keep five edge rushers. Ojulari’s health has been his downfall so far in his career, so they could likely keep an extra body to rotate in. Ward sets the edge well against the run. The Giants like what they have with Fox as a backup and rotational guy. Elerson Smith misses the cut along with Ximines, but they likely can return to the practice squad.
LB
Bobby Okereke
Darrian Beavers
Troy Brown
Cam Brown
Micah McFadden
Jarrad Davis
Probably the one position group with the least amount of quality depth, hence why they keep six players. Cam Brown is a special teams ace. Beavers is coming off an ACL injury. McFadden had some ups and downs. Davis is a veteran that contributed well towards the end of last season. Okereke seems to be the leader of the group. Troy Brown makes the roster as an undrafted rookie with lots of talent.
CB
Deonte Banks
Adoree Jackson
Cordale Flott
Aaron Robinson
Tre Hawkins
Darnay Holmes
Amani Oruwariye
Giants have a number two corner opposite of Jackson with Banks. They have a physical rookie corner with Hawkins, and a couple slot corners with Holmes and Robinson. Flott can be versatile and Oruwariye can also play outside.
S
Xavier McKinney
Dane Belton
Gervarrius Owens
Bobby McCain
Giants keep four safeties. Look for Owens to see quite a bit of action this season. I’m skeptical about Belton, he lost playing time down the stretch even when healthy. Would not be surprised if Jason Pinnock sneaks on the roster over Belton. Bobby McCain could also see time in the slot.
ST
Graham Gano
Casey Kreiter
Jamie Gillan
Pretty simple, these guys are almost locks for the roster.
Photo credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Washington_Football_Team_at_New_York_Giants_%2850507394698%29.jpg
