6 players in danger of being cut after first week of Giants training camp | Sporting News

The New York Giants have gotten through the first week of training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford.

There have been plenty of notes and takeaways from the first week of work, which included a few padded practices. The depth chart is being shuffled around and position battles are heating up as the preseason arrives this week.

The Giants will be among the teams kicking off the preseason games this week when they host the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night.

There will be joint practices with Dan Campbell’s squad Monday and Tuesday before the game.

With the preseason nearly upon us, here’s a look at six Giants players in danger of being cut after the first week of training camp.

Giants’ cut candidates after Week 1 of training camp

WR Allen Robinson

The veteran wide receiver joined the Giants later in the offseason following the 2024 NFL Draft. How many wide receivers the Giants keep will be an interesting discussion. The quartet of Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson are locked in. That leaves Robinson competing with several other wideouts for the final two or three spots.

Robinson’s main competition will be with Isaiah Hodgins, who holds a clear advantage given the his special teams contributions. If Robinson doesn’t prove to be the far superior wide receiver at this point in his career, he may face an uphill battle to make the roster. The preseason will be key for the 30-year-old.

G Marcus McKethan

Things are not going well for the 2022 fifth-round pick. After missing his rookie season due to a torn ACL, McKethan made four starts during his second season. Unfortunately, he struggled mightily when he got his opportunities, allowing 17 total pressures and two sacks on 245 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

The third-year guard hasn’t instilled much confidence in camp this time around either. The Giants have focused on adding veteran options like Aaron Stinnie and Greg Van Roten rather than seeing what McKethan can develop into. He’s trending in the wrong direction to make the roster.

RB Eric Gray

This one is probably the least likely to happen and while it would be a mild surprise, it’s not an outlandish possibility that Gray fails to make the roster. Through the first week of training camp, rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. appears to have the inside track as the backup to Devin Singletary. Gray is probably safe as the third option.

However, the 2023 fifth-round pick isn’t a lock to make the roster. His noted struggles in pass protection could be a big reason the Giants look elsewhere. The emergence of undrafted free agent rookie Dante “Turbo” Miller also could be a factor in Gray potentially getting cut.

Again, it’s probably not likely unless the Giants add another veteran to the backfield, but Gray might not survive a poor preseason.

DT D.J. Davidson

The Giants have a pretty significant battle taking place at nose tackle for the backup role behind All-Pro Dexter Lawrence. Throughout the first week of training camp, Davidson has been battling with Jordon Riley to get that spot on the roster. And it appears he may be losing that battle thus far.

According to Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com, Riley has been the primary backup behind Lawrence. A strong preseason would go along way for the 2022 fifth-round pick.

S Jalen Mills

Signed this offseason to help bolster a questionable safety room, Mills has yet to participate in training camp. The 30-year-old free safety was placed on the non-football injury list at the start of camp due to a calf injury. Missing that valuable time is crucial for his chances to make the roster

Mills’ absence has lessened the competition in the safety room. It’s allowed Dane Belton to take the starting role while giving Gervarrius Owens more opportunities to be standout defender in camp. If Mills doesn’t get on the field soon, he’s certainly in danger of being cut at the end of the month.

WR Isaiah McKenzie

While the aforementioned Robinson is battling with a group of outside receivers, McKenzie is in a battle for the backup slot role with Gunner Olszewski. The latter seems to have the upper hand, and his superior special teams work makes him a near lock for the roster.

McKenzie might have favor with head coach Brian Daboll from their days with the Buffalo Bills, but the veteran wideout isn’t much of a factor on offense outside of gadget plays. He also struggled greatly as a return man with the Indianapolis Colts during the 2023 season.

McKenzie will need a big preseason to increase his chances of grabbing one of the few available spots in the wide receiver room.

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