Giants 53-man roster projection: Who’s in, who’s out entering training camp?

As the New York Giants prepare to open training camp, let’s project the 53-man roster. This will have few, if any, changes from the post-minicamp projection I did last month.

OFFENSE

Quarterback (2)

Starter: Daniel Jones
Backups: Drew Lock
Out: Tommy DeVito, Nathan Rourke

I believe the Giants keep two quarterbacks. They try to push DeVito through to the practice squad, and use the NFL rule change allowing a practice squad quarterback to be activated an unlimited number of times on game days to have a third quarterback available.

Running back (3)

Starter: Devin Singletary
Backups: Tyrone Tracy Jr., Eric Gray
Out: Dante Miller, Jashaun Corbin, Jacob Salyers

In my last projection I had four backs, with Miller making the squad. Miller, though, has played very little football the last couple of years. He is a terrific practice squad candidate. If the Giants want Miller’s speed on kickoff returns, maybe he sneaks onto the roster.

Tight end (4)

Starter: Daniel Bellinger
Backups: Theo Johnson, Lawrence Cager, Chris Manhertz
Out: Chris Manhertz, Tyree Jackson, Jack Stoll

I am flip-flopping Manhertz and Stoll. The only reason to keep one of them is to fill the role of pure inline blocking tight end. It is a role Manhertz has excelled at throughout his career. I could be wrong here. This one is a toss-up.

Wide receiver (7)

Starters: Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson
Backups: Jalin Hyatt, Isaiah McKenzie, Isaiah Hodgins, Miles Boykin
Out: Gunner Olszewski, Ayir Asante, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Dennis Houston, John Jiles, Allen Robinson

No change. Hodgins over Allen Robinson. Boykin over Bryce Ford-Wheaton. McKenzie over Olszewski. Ford-Wheaton and Asante to the practice squad.

Offensive line (9)

Starters: Andrew Thomas (LT), Jermaine Eluemunor (LG), John Michael Schmitz (C), Jon Runyan Jr. (RG), Evan Neal (RT)
Backups: Aarone Stinnie, Josh Ezeudu, Austin Schlottman, Jake Kubas
Out: Marcus McKethan, Yodny Cajuste, Matt Nelson, Jimmy Morrissey, Jalen Mayfield, Joshua Miles

Beyond the starting five and Ezeudu, there are question marks. I have Stinnie making the roster because he is the most experienced reserve guard. He could even start if Eluemunor ends up at right tackle. Schlottman makes it because a backup center is needed and I don’t think Morrissey is a realistic option. I flip-flopped Kubas, an undrafted free agent, and Nelson in this prediction. Kubas got some second-team work in the spring, so the Giants are at least curious.

Also, I think at least one spot ends up taken by a lineman not currently on the roster. Tyre Phillips if he is healthy after his season-ending torn quad? Justin Pugh? Last time I chatted with him he was intending to play in 2024. A veteran cut by another team? I don’t believe the Giants are done looking for offensive line depth.

DEFENSE

Defensive line (5)

Starters: Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Jordan Phillips
Backups: Jordon Riley, Ryder Anderson
Out: Timmy Horne, Casey Rogers, Elijah Chatman, D.J. Davidson

This is the same group I had last month. Davidson, a 2022 fifth-round pick, has not done enough to justify keeping a spot.

Linebacker (6)

Starters: Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden
Backups: Isaiah Simmons, Darius Muasau, Matthew Adams, Carter Coughlin
Out: Darrian Beavers, Dyontae Johnson

In my last projection, Coughlin did not make the roster. Here, he does. Keeping only three running backs gave me a spot for yet another valuable special teams player.

Edge (4)

Starters: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns
Backups: Azeez Ojulari, Boogie Basham
Out: Tomon Fox, Benton Whitley, Ovie Oghoufo

This one seems clear cut. Unless the Giants decide to trade Ojulari to build 2025 draft capital.

Cornerback (6)

Starters: Deonte Banks, Cor’Dale Flott, Andru Phillips
Backups: Nick McCloud, Tre Hawkins III, Darnay Holmes
Out: Tre Herndon, David Long Jr., Aaron Robinson, Stantley Thomas-Oliver, Kaleb Hayes

This is the same group I had making the roster last month. There are questions, though.

Could Herndon, who spent six years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, take a spot from Hawkins or Holmes? Possibly.

Could the Giants still make a move for a potential outside cornerback? They have expressed confidence in Cor’Dale Flott, but he remains undersized for that role at 175 pounds.

Safety (4)

Starters: Jason Pinnock, Tyler Nubin
Backups: Dane Belton, Jalen Mills
Out: Elijah Riley, Gervarrius Owens, Alex Johnson

Most notably, Owens, a 2023 seventh-round pick, is out in this projection.

Special teams (3)

PK: Graham Gano
P: Jamie Gillan
LS: Casey Kreiter
Out: PK Jude McAtamney

Nothing to see here. The kicking group is Gano, Gillan, Kreiter unless there is an injury.