New York Giants coach Brian Daboll said no roster spots were going to be decided by performance in the recently completed offseason program. But the depth chart did come into focus during the five practices that were open to reporters this spring.
It’s a bit tricky to make projections at this stage because some injured/rehabbing players didn’t participate much this spring. But here’s an early projection of who is in line for a spot on the Giants’ 53-man roster:
Quarterbacks: 2
In: Daniel Jones, Drew Lock
Out: Tommy DeVito, Nathan Rourke
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This regime has yet to carry three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster (even when that prospect was a big reason Davis Webb followed Daboll to New York in 2022). There would be some risk in exposing DeVito to waivers after he engineered a three-game winning streak last season. But other teams will have backup quarterbacks who have been on their roster throughout the offseason and training camp. Did DeVito really show enough last season as an undrafted rookie to prompt a team to give him a roster spot over a quarterback with experience in its system?
The bigger risk would be a team poaching DeVito as injuries mount at quarterback during the season. But the Giants could simply offer him a spot on their 53-man roster if they want to keep him when another team shows interest. DeVito has taken advantage of every off-field opportunity presented as a local hero, so bolting for another practice squad would be an unlikely business decision. And with the NFL’s new practice squad elevation rules, which allows for unlimited game-day promotions for an emergency quarterback, the Giants can bump DeVito to the active roster as much as they desire.
Running backs: 3
In: Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Tyrone Tracy
Out: Jashaun Corbin, Dante Miller
Miller is a great story who has generated buzz, but he has six collegiate carries since the 2021 season. The Giants should be able to get the 5-foot-9, 200-pounder safely to the practice squad barring a breakout preseason. The ticket to a roster spot for Miller would be as a returner, but the Giants have more experienced options for that role.
Five running backs aren’t enough to get through training camp, so a veteran addition is likely in the coming weeks. Re-signing Matt Breida seems like an obvious move to provide depth and experience to a young group.
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Wide receivers: 7
In: Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Isaiah Hodgins, Isaiah McKenzie, Miles Boykin
Out: Gunner Olszewski, Allen Robinson, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Ayir Asante, Dennis Houston, Chase Cota, John Jiles
Seven wide receivers feels excessive, but the Giants carried that many in 2022. The trouble with whittling the position is the top five receivers don’t contribute on special teams. That will likely need to change for Hodgins if he’s going to make the roster as he continues to get pushed down the depth chart by draft picks.
McKenzie and Olszewski should battle for the top returner spot. McKenzie’s history with Daboll in Buffalo and his more productive track record as a receiver should give him an edge. Boykin and Ford-Wheaton will likely battle for a core special teams role. Boykin was ahead on the special teams depth chart this spring and the Giants should be able to get Ford-Wheaton to the practice squad after he missed his rookie season with a torn ACL.
Allen Robinson provides a quality veteran insurance policy if there are injuries during camp. Asante is a quality developmental candidate on the practice squad who will get opportunities to win the return job.
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Tight ends: 4
In: Daniel Bellinger, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz, Lawrence Cager
Out: Jack Stoll, Tyree Jackson
Cager earned a shoutout from Daboll last week as “one of the most improved players throughout the offseason.” Cager provides a receiving element that has become more valuable after Darren Waller’s retirement. Manhertz had been ahead of Stoll on the depth chart as a blocking tight end and core special teamer.
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Offensive linemen: 9
In: Andrew Thomas, Jermaine Eluemunor, John Michael Schmitz, Jon Runyan, Evan Neal, Josh Ezeudu, Aaron Stinnie, Austin Schlottmann, Jake Kubas
Out: Matt Nelson, Yodny Cajuste, Marcus McKethan, Jimmy Morrissey, Joshua Miles, Jalen Mayfield, Marcellus Johnson
It’s challenging to call the last few backup spots on the line, especially because they could be filled by an outside addition like Tyre Phillips, who is on track to be ready for camp in his recovery from a torn quad.
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Morrissey was ahead of Schlottmann during the offseason program as the backup center, but it’s important not to overreact to every spring development. The Giants gave Schlottmann a two-year, $2.8 million contract with $500,000 guaranteed this offseason, so they obviously like him. Morrissey was signed to a one-year, $985,000 futures deal with no guaranteed money.
The Giants gave Kubas $270,000 guaranteed, which was one of the biggest guarantees any undrafted free agent received in the league this year. He worked as a second-team guard during the spring, but he could get bumped if the Giants favor someone with tackle experience like Nelson or Cajuste. But the Giants may not need to load up on backup tackles since they can move Eluemunor outside if necessary.
Defensive linemen: 5
In: Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Jordan Phillips, Jordon Riley, Ryder Anderson
Out: DJ Davidson, Casey Rogers, Elijah Chatman, Timmy Horne
Phillips is my early pick for a surprise cut, but it’s hard to evaluate the 10th-year veteran after he didn’t participate in team drills this spring as he returns from wrist surgery. Anderson was the biggest riser on the roster based on expectations entering the spring compared to the number of first-team reps he received. Davidson could sneak onto the roster again, but it’s reaching the point where the scholarships are running out for late-round draft picks who haven’t produced.
Outside linebackers: 4
In: Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Boogie Basham
Out: Tomon Fox, Benton Whitley, Ovie Oghoufo
This is a top-heavy position group, although Ojulari sliding back into the third spot provides better depth than recent seasons. Basham had a surprisingly strong spring, but it’s hard to expect much after he was a complete non-factor last season.
Inside linebackers: 6
In: Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Isaiah Simmons, Carter Coughlin, Matthew Adams, Darius Muasau
Out: Dyontae Johnson, Darrian Beavers
Like wide receiver, the surplus at linebacker is based on special teams. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Coughlin, Adams and Muasau never play on defense, but they figure to be on the field for nearly every special teams snap.
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Simmons is a wild card, and it’s not even clear if he belongs with the inside linebackers since he didn’t practice this spring because of an undisclosed injury. But the Giants re-signed him to a one-year, $2 million contract with $1.4 million guaranteed, so they clearly see a role for the 2020 top-10 pick.
Cornerbacks: 6
In: Deonte Banks, Cor’Dale Flott, Nick McCloud, Andru Phillips, Tre Hawkins, Darnay Holmes
Out: Tre Herndon, David Long, Aaron Robinson, Alex Johnson, Kaleb Hayes, Stantley Thomas-Oliver
This position is screaming out for veteran reinforcement if the Giants are going to use a chunk of their $11.7 million in cap space. As it stands, Holmes got the nod for the last corner spot (and 53rd spot in this projection). He has versatility, as he worked on the outside during the spring, and showed value on special teams last season.
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Safeties: 4
In: Jason Pinnock, Dane Belton, Tyler Nubin, Jalen Mills
Out: Gervarrius Owens, Elijah Riley
Mills got the edge over Owens for the final spot because it would make sense to have a versatile veteran as a backup with this young group. It would have been easier to keep Owens if he showed anything as a rookie to suggest he’ll be a core special teamer.
Specialists: 3
In: K Graham Gano, P Jamie Gillan, LS Casey Kreiter
Out: K Jude McAtamney
The Giants return the same veteran trio of specialists. McAtamney wasn’t signed as an undrafted free agent to compete with Gano this year, but rather to develop as a potential successor to the 37-year-old. The Giants will get an international exemption for the Irish-born McAtamney, so he won’t count toward the 16-man practice squad limit.
(Top photos of Isaiah Hodgins and Dante Miller: Chris Pedota / USA Today; Luke Hales / Getty Images)
