Instead of doing a pure 53-man roster projection ahead of New York Giants training camp, which begins Wednesday in West Virginia, here is a different way to break down the 91-man roster.
Below is a position-by-position look at who I consider to be locks to make the 53-man roster, bubble players, and long shots. The intent is to look at where the most interesting competitions are and the chances of individual players.
Quarterback
Locks (2) — Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston
Bubble players (0) — None
Long shot (1) — Brandon
Allen
I don’t see the Giants keeping a third quarterback on the roster. Allen wasn’t good this spring, but he is an experienced player with ties to quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan. If an upgrade doesn’t fall into the Giants’ lap, keeping Allen on the practice squad is fine.
Running back
Locks (4) — Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary, Patrick Ricard
Bubble players (0) — None
Long shots (3) — Eric Gray, Dante Miller, Damon Bankston
Maybe Gray, Miller, and Bankston should be in the “bubble” category rather than the “long shots” category. No matter. Entering camp, I don’t think any of them are making the 53-man roster if Skattebo, Tracy, and Singletary are healthy. Bankston, 23, probably has the best chance. He is 23, Gray 26, and Miller 27. Age and upside favor the undrafted free agent.
Tight end
Locks (3) — Isaiah Likely, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz
Bubble players (1) — Thomas Fidone
Long shot (1) — Tanner Conner
During our training camp preview podcast, Patty Traina of Giants on SI floated the idea that the Giants would keep just two tight ends — Likely and Johnson — because of the presence of Ricard [20:03 mark]. I’m not buying. With as many two-tight-end and heavy sets as I expect to see from the Giants this season, I can’t see them having only two true tight ends active.
Manhertz remains a quality blocker and veteran leader. I think he makes the roster over Fidone, who will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as he recovers from foot surgery. I think Fidone lands on the practice squad.
Wide receiver
Locks (5) — Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Calvin Austin, Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields
Bubble players (4) — Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster, Braxton Berrios, Isaiah Hodgins
Long shots (5) — Dalen Cambre, Ryan Miller, Jalin Hyatt, Xavier Gipson, Beaux Collins
The Giants got good news when it was reported that Nabers would avoid the PUP list. That doesn’t guarantee that he will be ready Week 1, or that he will be the Nabers of 2024 right away, but it was a positive development.
The sixth, and seventh spots at wide receiver, if the Giants keep that many, are wide open. Beckham could get a spot if he makes it through training camp healthy and can practice consistently, but that remains to be seen. If the Giants feel they need special teams contributions from that roster spot, someone like Berrios, Cambre, or Miller could win it.
Offensive line
Locks (6) — Andrew Thomas, John Michael Schmitz, Francis Mauigoa, Jermaine Eluemunor, Marcus Mbow, Daniel Faalele
Bubble players (6) — Jon Runyan, J.C. Davis, Lucas Patrick, Bryan Hudson, Josh Ezeudu, Aaron Stinnie
Long shots (4) — Evan Neal, Ryan Schernecke, Jake Kubas, Jarrod Gray (International Exemption)
The curveball here is that I have two players enter training camp as reserves (Mbow, Faalele) as locks, and one who is a starter (Runyan) on the bubble.
There was little indication throughout spring practices that Runyan’s status as the starting left guard is in jeopardy. There is, though, so much speculation that the Giants could cut Runyan to save $9.25 million in cap space that I have him on the bubble. I will believe there is a competition, though, when I see Faalele, Stinnie, or someone else getting significant first-team reps.
Defensive line
Locks (4) — D.J. Reader, Darius Alexander, Shelby Harris, Chauncey Golston
Bubble players (6) — Bobby Jamison-Travis, Leki Fotu, Zacch Pickens, Sam Roberts, Josh Tupou
Long shots (2) — Ben Barten, Anquin Barnes Jr.
[NOTE: Due to his Achilles tendon injury, I did not list Roy Robertson-Harris]
I believe Jamison-Travis will make the roster, but want to see him play in pads a few times before I commit to him as a lock.
Off-ball linebacker
Locks (3) — Arvell Reese, Tremaine Edmunds, Micah McFadden
Bubble players (3) — Jack Kelly, Darius Muasau, Zaire Barnes
Long shots (0)
I think Kelly is making the roster. As a sixth-round pick, though, I can’t list him as a lock before camp begins.
Edge defender
Locks (3) — Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux
Bubble players (1) — Khalid Kareem
Long shots (2) — Trace Ford, Caleb Murphy
Unless the Giants want to keep someone like Murphy as a special teams player, I think this is how it ends up. Remember, Golston can also play as an edge if needed.
Cornerback
Locks (4) — Paulson Adebo, Greg Newsome II, Colton Hood, Dru Phillips
Bubble players (4) — Deonte Banks, Art Green, Nic Jones, Korie Black
Long shots (1) — Jarick Bernard-Converse
I debated putting Banks in the “locks” category. Maybe I should have. I do believe he is making the team, especially because of his kickoff return ability. Still, I want to see him carry his good spring through the summer.
Safety
Locks (3) — Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin, Ar’Darius Washington
Bubble players (2) — Elijah Campbell, Jason Pinnock
Long shots (2) — Beau Brade, Raheem Layne
The question isn’t really who makes the roster. I think Pinnock and Campbell both end up on the team. The question is going to be whether Washington or Pinnock can steal a starting job, probably from Nubin.
Special teams
Locks (1) — Jordan Stout (punter)
Bubble players (2) — Dominic Zvada (placekicker), Ben Mann (long-snapper)
Long shot (1) — Ben Sauls (placekicker)
Entering camp, it certainly looks like Zvada and Mann will earn spots on the roster.
Totals
Locks: 38
I think I was likely a bit conservative in putting players into this category.
Bubble players: 28
Long shots: 22
** After waiving linebacker Cam Jones and defensive tackle C.J. Ravenell on Saturday, the Giants have 89 players on their roster. Jarrod Gray carries an International Exemption, so New York can have 91 players.
