53-man Roster Projection: Who’s In, Out After Giants Spring Practices?

New York Giants players and coaches have scattered for their summer vacations now that offseason work complete. With that in mind, let’s take a whirl at a sure-to-be-wrong post-minicamp 53-man roster projection.

OFFENSE

Quarterback (2) — Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston
Out: Brandon Allen

The Giants can keep Allen or another journeyman quarterback on the practice squad in the event of an injury. They could keep a third quarterback on the roster and designate him the inactive “emergency” quarterback each week, but right now I think they can find a better use for that roster spot.

Running back (4) — Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary, Patrick Ricard
Out: Damon Bankston, Eric Gray, Dante Miller

Miller was on the Giants’ practice squad the past two seasons. He has played ONE offensive snap in that time. He hasn’t carried a football in a game that counted since getting six carries for 38 yards for South Carolina in 2022. Yet, because he can run fast, there are still fans clamoring for ‘Turbo’ time.

Brian Daboll never trusted Miller enough to play him over the ball security-challenged Eric Gray. If Daboll didn’t trust Miller, what makes anyone believe that an old-school coach like John Harbaugh will? I don’t see Miller cracking the roster. He is now a 27-year-old who has never carried the ball in an NFL game.

If an additional back makes the roster, it might be 23-year-old undrafted free agent Damon Bankston. Bankston had 1,032 yards from scrimmage and averaged 36.2 yards on 12 kickoff returns last season for New Mexico. Honestly, if the choice is between Miller and Bankston, why wouldn’t you take the player who is four years younger and has a longer development arc?

Tight end (3) — Isaiah Likely, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz
Out: Thomas Fidone, Tanner Conner

Fidone missed spring practices and recently had a “clean-up” procedure on the foot injury that landed him on IR last season. The fact that Fidone needed that procedure this late is not a good sign, although he should be ready for training camp.

Wide receiver (7) — Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton, Calvin Austin, Malachi Fields, Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster, Braxton Berrios

PUP: Malik Nabers
Out: Dalen Cambre, Beaux Collins, Xavier Gipson, Isaiah Hodgins, Jalin Hyatt, Ryan Miller

This one is difficult to call. I will believe Nabers will be ready Week 1 when I see him practicing full speed around the middle of training camp. Otherwise, I think he starts the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. That is where I have him in this projection.

I am going with all three receivers the Giants recently signed, including Odell Beckham Jr., in this projection. Injury or poor performance in training camp could change that, but I will stay with the proven veterans.

Which guys have the best chance to break through? I suspect that would Cambre or Miller, because both are valuable special teams players.

Offensive line (9) — Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., John Michael Schmitz, Sisi Mauigoa, Jermaine Eluemunor, Marcus Mbow, Daniel Faalele, Lucas Patrick, J.C. Davis
Out: Bryan Hudson, Jake Kubas, Josh Ezeudu, Evan Neal, Aaron Stinnie, Ryan Schernecke

There are two things I am not sure of as we await training camp:

1. Jon Runyan’s status — I keep saying I will believe there is a competition for the left guard spot when one develops. I am not counting one first-team series on Monday for Daniel Faalele as competition. That was the only time Runyan was not with the first team in five spring practices I saw. Still, Runyan is not a great run blocker, and the Giants could save $9.25 million against the salary cap by cutting him. So, we’ll see.
2. The last couple of backup spots — I think Lucas Patrick makes the roster as the backup center and swing guard. I am not, though, ruling out Bryan Hudson taking the backup center job. I think Davis, a sixth-round pick, makes the roster because the Giants won’t want to risk trying to get him to the practice squad and losing him on waivers. Giants fans won’t like this one, but I am also not discounting the possibility that Ezeudu could sneak onto the roster. He worked as the second-team right tackle most of the spring. Evan Neal? Right now, I don’t see him sticking around. If Runyan is cut, that might change.

DEFENSE

Defensive line (6) — D.J. Reader, Darius Alexander, Leki Fotu, Bobby Jamison-Travis, Chauncey Golston, Shelby Harris
Out: Anquin Barnes Jr., Ben Barten, Zacch Pickens, Sam Roberts, Josh Tupou, Roy Robertson-Harris (Achilles)

Beyond Reader, Alexander, Jamison-Travis, and Golston, the last two spots are a pure guess. Fotu worked a fair amount with the first team in 3-4 sets. Harris is a 35-year-old entering his 12th season, and we didn’t see him take a snap all spring. Roberts (undisclosed surgery) did not practice all spring.

Anything can happen with this group, including adding someone the Giants believe to be an upgrade when rosters are trimmed to 53 at the end of the preseason.

Linebackers (5) — Tremaine Edmunds, Arvell Reese, Micah McFadden, Jack Kelly, Darius Muasau
Out: Zaire Barnes, Cam Jones

I debated dropping Muasau from the roster entirely, replacing him with Barnes or adding an extra player at another position. For now, though, Muasau stays.

Edge (3) — Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux
Out: Trace Ford, Khalid Kareem, Caleb Murphy

If I could find a spot for a fourth edge defender, I would probably keep Murphy. He has 19 games of NFL experience over three seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, and New England Patriots. In this version of the projection, though, I am keeping just three edge defenders. Golston can play there if needed.

Cornerback (6) — Paulson Adebo, Greg Newsome II, Deonte Banks, Colton Hood, Dru Phillips, Art Green
Out: Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Korie Black, Nic Jones, Rico Payton

Safety (5) — Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin, Ar’Darius Washington, Jason Pinnock, Elijah Campbell
Out: Beau Brade, Raheem Layne

Five safeties might be one more than necessary. If the Giants were to keep only four, I think the final spot comes down to a competition between Pinnock and Campbell.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter — Jordan Stout
Placekicker — Dominic Zvada
Long-snapper — Ben Mann

Unless the Giants bring in veteran competition, right now it looks like undrafted free agents Zvada and Mann will make the roster.