‘Things I think’ about New York Giants’ initial 53-man roster

The New York Giants have set their initial 53-man roster, with coach Brian Daboll admitting that things are “fluid” and there are still decisions to be made. The one thing we know is that the roster as of 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday will not be the same as the one the Giants open the season with on Sept. 8 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Let’s look at the roster, along with some of my thoughts on the decisions the Giants have made. The final moves were not known until nearly 9 p.m. Those were placing wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie and linebacker Matthew Adams. For McKenzie, the move is season-ending. Adams has been designated to return, and has to miss at least four games.

Offense

Quarterback (3) — Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito

No surprise that the Giants kept all three quarterbacks. Why cut DeVito, risk losing him via waivers, then have to bring in another quarterback and have to teach him the offense? I think the Giants might add a quarterback to the practice squad, though.

Running back (3) — Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Eric Gray

We have been expecting the Giants to try and pass rookie Dante ‘Turbo’ Miller to the practice squad, and that is exactly what they are going to do. Will they get away with it? Probably. Miller’s speed is tantalizing, but he is raw and needs time to develop. Putting him on the 53-man roster and counting on him to handle all of the nuances of the running back position might be risky.

The surprise for me was the cut of fullback/tight end Jakob Johnson. The veteran was signed late, but it looked like the Giants were intending to find a spot for him. Guess not. Maybe he will land on the practice squad.

Tight end (3) — Daniel Bellinger, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz

I mentioned Johnson already. I feel bad for Lawrence Cager. He had a great spring and drew praise from Daboll. Injuries, though, knocked him out of action and off the roster.

Wide receiver (6) — Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Gunner Olszewski

The Giants cut all of the veteran receivers who were on the roster bubble — Isaiah Hodgins, Miles Boykin, and Allen Robinson. They decided to go young and keep Bryce Ford-Wheaton, a second-year former undrafted free agent who missed his rookie season with a torn ACL. After the Giants moved on from two veterans a couple of weeks ago, trading tackle Jordan Phillips and released safety Jalen Mills, perhaps I should have seen a move like this coming.

Gunner Olszewski is the punt returner — for now. He has been missing time with a groin injury, and there is a question about his Week 1 availability. Olszewski could lose that roster spot to a waiver claim or free agent signing if the Giants aren’t certain he will be ready.

Offensive line (10) — Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., John Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten, Jermaine Eluemunor, Josh Ezeudu, Aaron Stinnie, Evan Neal, Austin Schlottman, Jake Kubas

I was expecting the Giants to choose between Schlottman, the veteran backup center, and Kubas, the undrafted free agent guard. Instead, at least for now, they have chosen both.

This is largely a veteran offensive line. I don’t think it will be one of the best units in the NFL, but I do think there should be optimism that this group will at least be adequate. That should be enough.

Defense

Defensive line (5) — Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Elijah Chatman, Jordon Riley, D.J. Davidson

No surprises here. It’s been obvious for a while that Chatman, the 5-foot-11, 280-pound undrafted free agent out of SMU, was making the roster. I still think the Giants might look for an upgrade on the waiver wire. To me, Davidson is the most vulnerable if the Giants do that.

Edge (5) — Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Boogie Basham, Benton Whitley

Whitley earned a spot with an excellent training camp. I keep saying it, but I still believe the Giants would swap Ojulari for cornerback help if the right deal comes along.

Linebacker (6) — Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Isaiah Simmons, Darius Muasau, Carter Coughlin, Dyontae Johnson

I have Simmons listed here, though he will be playing a hybrid linebacker/nickel cornerback role at times.

Matthew Adams, a veteran linebacker was placed on injured reserve and designated to return. He has to miss at least four weks.

Cornerback (5) — Deonte Banks, Nick McCloud, Dru Phillips, Cor’Dale Flott, Tre Hawkins

If you count Simmons as a cornerback, there are six. I think this position is the most likely to see changes on Wednesday — and perhaps beyond.

Safety (3) — Jason Pinnock, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton, Gervarrius Owens

There was initial confusion over whether or not Owens, a 2023 seventh-round pick had made the roster. He has.

Special teams

Placekicker — Graham Gano
Punter — Jamie Gillan
Long snapper — Casey Kreiter