Way-too-early New York Giants 53-man roster projection

The New York Giants don’t have to set their initial 2024 53-man roster for another four months. They haven’t held OTAs, mini-camp, training camp or had any preseason games. It’s waaaaaay too early to be speculating about the 53-man roster.

Right?

Well, yes. But, we’re doing it anyway.

Here is a very early, probably way off the mark, look at how the roster could turn out. It is designed, really, just to highlight where there is depth, where the roster could still use help and where they will likely be competition.

It is really just a way of framing a discussion for what the 2024 Giants might look like.

Have fun killing me for the choices you disagree with, anyway.

OFFENSE

Quarterback (3)

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

Without Rourke having participated in a single Giants’ practice, I can’t push him in front of DeVito. I wonder, though, if Rourke might emerge as QB3. DeVito-mania aside, I have just never gotten the impression that the Giants truly believe in DeVito as an NFL quarterback.

Running back (4)

Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell
Out: Jashaun Corbin, Dante Miller, Deon Jackson

Singletary is making the roster. Tracy is making the roster. Beyond that? I have Gray, a 2023 fifth-round pick, and Brightwell making it here — Gray as part of the running back committee and Brightwell mostly because he has always been a core special teamer.

Miller, the speedy rookie with the interesting path to the NFL, could force his way into the mix. So could Jackson, a 25-year-old with 95 rushing attempts over three NFL seasons.

Tight end (4)

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

I am, obviously, working off the belief that Darren Waller is going to retire. Maybe the Giants keep only one of Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz, the two veteran block-first tight ends. For now, though, I have both making the roster.

Wide receiver (6)

Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Isaiah Hodgins, ?????
Out: Chase Cota, Dennis Houston, John Jiles (UDFA), Ayir Asante (UDFA)

I am wimping out on this one. I have the sixth wide receiver spot as a four-way special teams battle between Gunner Olszewski, Isaiah McKenzie, Miles Boykin and Bryce Ford-Wheaton. After this morning’s announcement that the Giants have signed Allen Robinson, he is that mix, too.

McKenzie has a couple of advantages. He has been a quality punt and kickoff returner during his career, and he has been more useful as a receiver during his career than Olszewski or Boykin. He is also a Brian Daboll favorite from their days together with the Buffalo Bills.

Ford-Wheaton excelled on special teams before tearing an ACL last summer, but that was with a different coordinator.

Offensive line (9)

Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., John Michael Schmitz, Jermaine Eluemunor, Evan Neal, Aaron Stinnie, Austin Schlottman, Matt Nelson, Josh Ezeudu
Out: Marcus McKethan, Jalen Mayfield, Jake Kubas (UDFA), Marcellus Johnson (UDFA), Yodny Cajuste, Joshua Miles, Jimmy Morrissey

In this initial pass at the roster, I have all five of the linemen Joe Schoen signed in free agency making the 53-man roster. I did not list a practice squad, but I would stash McKethan and the two UDFAs — Kubas and Johnson — there.

This will change, obviously, if the Giants eventually add Justin Pugh and/or Tyre Phillips to the mix.

DEFENSE

Defensive line (5)

Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Jordan Phillips, D.J. Davidson, Jordon Riley
Out: Ryder Anderson, Timmy Horne, Casey Rogers (UDFA)

This would be the status quo based on what the Giants currently have on the roster. Could they add another veteran here? As of now, I would peg Rogers as a practice squad possibility.

Edge (4)

Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Boogie Basham
Out: Benton Whitley, Tomon Fox, Jeremiah Martin, Ovie Oghoufo (UDFA)

I’m not thrilled about keeping Basham. He didn’t do much last season after the Giants acquired him from the Buffalo Bills, and has never lived up to his status as a second-round pick. I am curious about Whitley and Oghoufo. Maybe one of them, or even Fox, can knock Basham off the roster.

Inside linebacker (5)

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

Kind of amazing that linebacker does not seem like a problem for the Giants at this point.

Cornerback (6)

Tae Banks, Andru Phillips, Cor’Dale Flott, Nick McCloud, Tre Hawkins III, Darnay Holmes
Out: Kaleb Hayes, Stantley Thomas-Oliver, Aaron Robinson, David Long

I remain mildly surprised that the Giants brought Holmes back. They must have liked his work on special teams last season. Unless the Giants have injuries or add another veteran to this group I’m not sure anyone else crashes the roster.

Safety (4)

Jason Pinnock, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton, Jalen Mills
Out: Gervarrius Owens, Alex Johnson

I can see the Giants bringing in more veteran competition here. I can also see a path to the practice squad for both Owens and Johnson if they don’t make the 53.

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK — Graham Gano
P — Jame Gillan
LS — Casey Kreiter
Out: PK Jake McAtamney