Giants trim roster to 53: The 5 biggest surprise cuts

The New York Giants pared their roster down from 78 players to the mandatory 53 on Tuesday to comply with league mandates.

The Giants let go several veterans such wide receivers Allen Robinson and Miles Boykin as well as defensive back Darnay Holmes and tight end Lawrence Cager.

Here are five other players who surprisingly did not make the cut.

Isaiah Hodgins scored seven touchdowns for the Giants during his year and change with Big Blue, but the numbers were against him with all of the additions general manager Joe Schoen has made the past two offseasons. He is a bona fide NFL talent. If he is not picked up on a team’s 53-man, the Giants can hope to re-sign him to the practice squad.

LB K.J. Cloyd

K.J. Cloyd’s 14-tackle performance against the Jets apparently wasn’t enough for the Giants to spare him from the cutting room floor. He should end up on a practice squad somewhere if the Giants can’t lure him back.

After being signed to a three-year, $2.8 million undrafted rookie free agent deal in May, Alex Johnson played very well during training camp and in the preseason. Again, the numbers weren’t in his favor with all of the young defensive backs in camp. He should end up back with Big Blue on the practice squad.

Dante Miller, aka Turbo, really made an impression this summer at camp after his long odyssey to the NFL. He’s far from done, though. If he clears waivers, most expect him to be signed to the practice squad. The Giants will go with just three running backs to start the season: Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, and Tyrone Tracy Jr.

WR Miles Boykin

Miles Boykin really established himself as a gunner in the preseason on special teams but the Giants were pressed for space on the roster. Ultimately, it came down to him and Bryce Ford-Wheaton and the Giants were not about to give up on Wheaton, who would have gotten scooped up had he been waived.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants trim roster to 53: The 5 biggest surprise cuts