Giants 53-man roster projection after minicamp: John Ross or Dante Pettis at WR? Tough decisions at RB, CB
Ross #Ross
The Giants will close out their spring this week with a couple more voluntary OTAs, though most of the roster isn’t expected to to attend.
Everyone was there for a three-day minicamp last week, and while it was hard to take away too much from what happened on the field — it was all light practices — there was still at least an early indication about how the Giants feel about certain spots of the roster.
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So as the team departs for the summer before returning for training camp, here’s a way-too-early 53-man roster projection based on what we saw in minicamp:
QUARTERBACK (2): Daniel Jones, Mike Glennon
Not much to see here. Clayton Thorson is practice squad fodder.
RUNNING BACK (4): Saquon Barkley, Devontae Booker, Corey Clement, Gary Brightwell
The Giants have been giving Clement some quality reps in the spring with Barkley out, having the veteran occasionally step in with the starters. His ability to contribute on special teams could be his ticket onto the roster, and he’s more ready to help on offense than the rookie Brightwell. Fullback Eli Penny might be a surprising cut, but he only played 7% of the snaps last year and the Giants will likely roll with four tight ends. Penny might play even less in 2021 than he did last year if he stuck around.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Kadarius Toney, Dante Pettis
The Giants signed the speedy John Ross to add a potential deep threat but in his short Giants career he’s already struggled to stay healthy while Pettis has participated in every practice — including voluntary OTAs — and already has experience in this offense. Something also to keep an eye on is if the Giants eventually bring back Cody Core to help on special teams. Pettis and Ross will battle with C.J. Board, Austin Mack and David Sills for a roster spot. It is possible they roll with six receivers, too.
TIGHT END (4): Kyle Rudolph, Evan Engram, Kaden Smith, Levine Toilolo
It seems unlikely they’d cut anyone in this group, especially after surprisingly bringing back Toilolo. He’s essentially an extra blocker and makes it easier to stomach cutting Penny.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Andrew Thomas, Matt Peart, Nick Gates, Shane Lemieux, Will Hernandez, Nate Solder, Zach Fulton, Jonotthan Harrison, Jackson Barton
The first seven players are pretty safe bets. Harrison has significant experience — even more than Nick Gates — and is a valid replacement for Spencer Pulley as the center backup. But don’t be surprised if undrafted rookie Brett Heggie legitimately pushes him. The Giants typically like to keep nine offensive linemen coming out of training camp and right now Solder is the only backup tackle. The Giants claimed Barton off waivers last season and kept him on the roster all year, and then they re-signed him this offseason. Clearly, they see something. Other candidates for that ninth spot: Heggie, Chad Slade, Kyle Murphy.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, Austin Johnson, Danny Shelton, Ifeadi Odenigbo, B.J. Hill
It might be the end of the line for R.J. McIntosh with the Giants, though they did keep him on the roster all of last season without playing him. Odenigbo could probably be listed at outside linebacker too, though it’s still unclear what his full-time role will be or if he’ll split between playing D-Line and edge.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Blake Martinez, Tae Crowder, Reggie Ragland, Carter Coughlin
Coughlin is a new addition to this group having switched inside during OTAs. He had a solid rookie year, especially for a seventh round pick, and he can help on special teams. He’ll likely have to stave off Devante Downs.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (6): Lorenzo Carter, Azeez Ojulari, Oshane Ximines, Ryan Anderson, Elerson Smith, Cam Brown
Anderson and Brown are far from locks, especially since both of them missed all of OTAs and minicamp and the rest of the group are highly-drafted players the Giants have more reason to believe in. Brown showed some ability on special teams last year which could be his path to the roster.
CORNERBACK (5): James Bradberry, Adoree’ Jackson, Aaron Robinson, Darnay Holmes, Isaac Yiadom
The top four are pretty safe bets, and the Giants have some intriguing players battling it out for a fifth cornerback spot. Yiadom is the favorite as a player the Giants started 10 games last year and traded a seventh-round pick for. But he did struggle at times and was forced to take a paycut this offseason. Sixth-round pick Rodarius Williams is a candidate, as is Jarren Williams, who spent much of last season on the practice squad but has gotten some quality reps in minicamp. Sam Beal is a lost cause at this point.
SAFETY (5): Logan Ryan, Jabrill Peppers, Xavier McKinney, Julian Love, Nate Ebner
Again, the top four are pretty safe bets, though this coaching staff doesn’t seem to value Love as much as the previous staff might have. Ebner is expected to re-sign at some point this offseason when he gets done his Olympic rugby pursuit.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3): K Graham Gano, P Riley Dixon, LS Casey Kreiter
Carson Tinker will push Kreiter, and Ryan Santoso could push Dixon, but it’s unlikely either usurp their role on the roster. This groups gets another go-around.
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Zack Rosenblatt may be reached at zrosenblatt@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman (left) and owner John Mara during minicamp practice on Thursday June 10, 2021 in East Rutherford, N.J.
© Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media/Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media