Giants final 53-man roster projection: Will Schoen keep three quarterbacks on the active roster?

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants open the 2024 NFL regular season against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 8 at MetLife Stadium.

One of the questions general manager Joe Schoen faces is whether to uncharacteristically keep three quarterbacks on the active roster. That will determine Tommy DeVito‘s fate.

Wide receiver is another position with some tough decisions, with proven players like Allen Robinson, Isaiah Hodgins and Gunner Olszewski on the bubble. The new injured reserve rule (where two players can be placed on IR in addition to the initial 53) will likely come into play.

The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Giants:

QUARTERBACK (3): Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito

Jones has an extensive injury history. Lock was already banged up this summer. It makes sense for the Giants to keep DeVito and continue developing him after he showed promise last season.

RUNNING BACK (3): Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Singletary is the clear-cut No. 1 back. Gray and Tracy are locks and should get snaps each week. Dante Miller is next in line, but his lack of playing experience should get him through to the practice squad.

FULLBACK (1): Jakob Johnson

He was just signed last week, but he’s a favorite of offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo from their time together in New England and Las Vegas. There’s a reason he was signed.

TIGHT END (3): Daniel Bellinger, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz

Bellinger and Johnson are Tight End 1a and 1b. Manhertz is the blocking tight end. Bad break for Lawrence Cager (groin) because he’s injured.

WIDE RECEIVER (7): Malik Nabers, Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Isaiah Hodgins, Miles Boykin, Isaiah McKenzie

Nabers is the Giants’ No. 1 receiver already. He has been impressive and leads the group. Hodgins just edges out Allen Robinson, and Gunner Olszewski lands on IR in this projection because of a groin injury that should keep him out a few more weeks.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., John Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten, Jermaine Eluemunor, Evan Neal, Joshua Ezeudu, Austin Schlottmann, Jake Kubas

This has become a veteran line with four of the five projected starters having at least four years’ experience. Kubas is perhaps the one surprise to make it given that he’s an undrafted free agent.

DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Elijah Chatman, D.J. Davidson, Jordon Riley

Lawrence is the star in this group. Behind him, the Giants are thin and young. It’s an opportunity for Davidson, Chatman and Riley to win a starting job or at least earn some serious playing time. Azeez Ojulari could also factor here on passing downs.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Boogie Basham, Benton Whitley

The Giants need Burns to be the star with Thibodeaux as his sidekick. Ojulari should slide in nicely in a pass-rushing role. Whitley makes it because he can contribute on special teams.

INSIDE LINEBACKER (6): Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Dyontae Johnson, Carter Coughlin, Matthew Adams, Darius Muasau

One of the hardest positions to predict because it depends on the health of McFadden (groin), Johnson (ankle) and Adams (groin). Coughlin and Adams are core special teams players.

CORNERBACK (6): Deonte Banks, Nick McCloud, Cor’Dale Flott, Dru Phillips, Isaiah Simmons, Tre Hawkins III

The Giants are incredibly young and unproven at cornerback. Only McCloud and Simmons are older than 24. Don’t be surprised to see the Giants add a cornerback off waivers.

SAFETY (3): Jason Pinnock, Dane Belton, Tyler Nubin

All three will play plenty for the Giants this season. With Gervarrius Owens (knee) injured, New York will be scouring the wire here as well. The secondary as a whole could use some help.

SPECIALISTS (3): Graham Gano, Jamie Gillan, Casey Kreiter

Gano is the kicker, Gillan the punter and Kreiter the long-snapper. They’re all locks. There are no decisions to make with the Giants’ specialists.