Giants 53-man roster projection: Who's in, who's out as training camp nears?

The New York Giants are gearing up for training camp, aiming for a solid roster ahead of the new season. Keep an eye on the quarterback battle between Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston, which might influence betting odds for the Giants' season performance based on who secures the backup role. The development of young players like Malik Nabers and the decision on running back depth could also sway punters' predictions on team efficiency.

The offseason program turns roster projections from theoretical to practical. The New York Giants held five practices open to reporters this spring, and those sessions provided the first glimpse of how the front office and coaching staff view the combination of returning and new players. Those practices also offered a baseline to gauge where players stand skill-wise, although it can be tough to get a full read on the pecking order with so many players not participating in the spring. So, consider this initial 53-man roster projection based partly on what I observed in the spring and partly on what I expect to play out once the action ramps up in the preseason. Here’s my 53-man roster projection as the team gears up for training camp.

Quarterbacks: 3 In: Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston Out: Tommy DeVito

The only current intrigue with the overhauled quarterback room is whether Dart or Winston enters the season as Wilson’s backup. Then, the question becomes how long before Dart takes over as the starter. Barring injury, there’s no path to a spot on the active roster for DeVito. It will be interesting to see if any team deems DeVito worthy of an active roster spot if the Giants cut him. There isn’t even a real need for the Giants to use a practice squad spot on DeVito since they’ll have three capable quarterbacks on their active roster. But they could try to stash the 26-year-old if they believe he provides value behind the scenes and as a backup option to Dart in the future.

Running backs: 3 In: Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary, Cam Skattebo Out: Eric Gray, Dante Miller, Rushawn Baker

The Skattebo selection in the fourth round of this year’s draft sealed Gray’s fate. A 2023 fifth-round pick, Gray has only averaged 2.5 yards per carry in limited action while struggling with ball security and failing to take advantage of opportunities at returner. Miller could be a dark horse for a roster spot if the Giants keep four running backs. He hung around on the practice squad last season as an undrafted rookie before joining the active roster in Week 18 in a move that signaled that the organization valued him. The explosive Miller could force his way onto the roster if he stands out as a kick returner in the preseason.

Wide receivers: 6 In: Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Bryce Ford-Wheaton Out: Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Zach Pascal, Dalen Cambre, Beaux Collins, Montrell Washington, Juice Wells, Da’Quan Felton, Jordan Bly

There’s likely only one roster spot open at receiver. Nabers, Slayton and Robinson are cemented at the top of the depth chart, Hyatt is still viewed as an asset with untapped potential after a promising spring and Smith-Marsette should be a lock after an impressive showing at returner last season. Undrafted free agents Cambre and Collins generated buzz in the spring with first-team reps on offense while Nabers and Hyatt were sidelined. The rookies’ path to a roster spot would likely come by beating out Ford-Wheaton for a role on special teams. That makes Cambre a sleeper because special teams was the 6-foot, 192-pounder’s calling card in college when he recorded just 10 career catches. But the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Ford-Wheaton has an ideal combination of size and speed for special teams, which should give him an edge.

Tight ends: 4 In: Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz, Daniel Bellinger, Thomas Fidone Out: Greg Dulcich, Jermaine Terry

Bellinger is likely destined for a pay cut before the opener. The Giants will likely deem the fourth-year veteran’s $3.4 million base salary, which he earned via the NFL’s proven performance escalator, as excessive for a No. 3 tight end. General manager Joe Schoen hasn’t been shy about squeezing players in similar spots in the past. But Bellinger still provides value as a well-rounded backup. Fidone is unlikely to have much of a role as a rookie, but his status as a seventh-round pick should allow him to sneak onto the roster.

Offensive linemen: 10 In: Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan, John Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten, Jermaine Eluemunor, James Hudson, Jake Kubas, Marcus Mbow, Evan Neal, Aaron Stinnie Out: Josh Ezeudu, Stone Forsythe, Austin Schlottmann, Jimmy Morrissey, Bryan Hudson, Jaison Williams

The Giants kept 10 offensive linemen on their initial 53-man roster last year, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they load up again. The Giants return the same five starters, believing they upgraded their depth by signing Hudson to a two-year, $12 million contract and selecting Mbow in the fifth round of the draft. Those seven players are locks. Kubas made the roster as an undrafted free agent last year and showed enough promise in three starts late in the season that they’ll likely want to continue developing the rugged guard. Neal is a wild card, but this regime will likely try to salvage something from the 2022 first-round pick as he transitions to guard. The Giants could roll with eight or nine linemen, but with the importance of O-line depth emphasized annually, the expectation is they’ll go heavy at the position. Stinnie has proven to be a capable NFL backup. He could easily be stashed on the practice squad, but rotating with Kubas at first-team right guard during the spring (while Van Roten sat out) indicates the team values the eighth-year veteran.

Defensive linemen: 5 In: Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Roy Robertson-Harris, Darius Alexander, Elijah Chatman Out: Jeremiah Ledbetter, Elijah Garcia, D.J. Davidson, Jordon Riley, Cory Durden

With Lawrence and Alexander not participating in team periods this spring, Nunez-Roches and Robertson-Harris were the top two interior defensive linemen. Chatman was most often the third defensive lineman, which put him ahead of Ledbetter, who received $500,000 guaranteed this offseason and who the team views as a key piece to upgrade the run defense.

The experienced Ledbetter could close the gap in training camp, but the Giants liked Chatman as an undrafted rookie last season. Chatman could have value in a limited role on passing downs, so it will be interesting to see if the Giants value pass rush or run defense more with their D-line depth.

Outside linebackers: 4 In: Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Chauncey Golston Out: Victor Dimukeje, Tomon Fox, Trace Ford

This is easily the best position on the roster, with top-end talent and quality depth. Golston is better than the top backup at any other position, and he’s fourth on the depth chart at outside linebacker. Golston seemed to have a valuable role as an interior pass rusher when he signed a three-year, $18 million contract in free agency. But Carter is slotted into that spot after the Giants selected him with the No. 3 pick in the draft. It will be interesting to see how the reps are distributed among this group, but finding snaps for four quality outside linebackers is a good problem to have.

Inside linebackers: 5 In: Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Chris Board, Darius Muasau, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles Out: Ty Summers, Dyontae Johnson

This position tends to command more roster spots because inside linebacker is often the defensive home of core special teamers such as Board, Flannigan-Fowles and Summers. Summers, who played the fourth-most special-teams snaps on the team last season, could be a veteran stash on the practice squad. Johnson, who flashed in limited opportunities last season, was surprisingly buried on the depth chart this spring despite Okereke and Flannigan-Fowles being sidelined. The special teams acumen of the vets could give them the edge over Johnson.

Cornerbacks: 6 In: Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, Cor’Dale Flott, Tre Hawkins, Korie Black Out: O’Donnell Fortune, Art Green, Dee Williams, Nic Jones, T.J. Moore

A surprising battle for the No. 2 corner job between Banks and Flott developed during the spring. Banks is the more talented player, so the Giants have to be hoping he responds to this wake-up call in his third season. That would allow Flott to serve as the top backup corner on the perimeter and in the slot. There’s still hope that the physically gifted Hawkins will realize his potential, so he should be in line for a roster spot. Like Fidone, Black should have the inside track to a roster spot as a seventh-round pick.

Safeties: 4 In: Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton, Raheem Layne Out: Anthony Johnson, Makari Paige

Belton’s strong spring has forced defensive coordinator Shane Bowen to consider a bigger role for the fourth-year safety. But the spring practice structure highlighted Belton’s ball-hawking skills, while concealing the spotty tackling and poor angles in run defense that have limited his playing time in his first three seasons. Johnson was the favorite for the No. 4 safety job, but he missed the entire spring with a shoulder injury while Layne performed well in an expanded role. Veteran K’Von Wallace tried out for the team at minicamp. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Giants added a safety before the opener to upgrade their depth.

Specialists: 3 In: K Graham Gano, P Jamie Gillan, LS Casey Kreiter Out: K Jude McAtamney

There have been no indications that McAtamney has a real chance to unseat Gano. It’s more likely that the Giants will keep the Irish kicker on the practice squad for another year as an international exemption. (Top photo: Rich Graessle / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Is Tommy DeVito the odd man out at QB? Why is outside linebackers the best position group on the team? That and more in our projections.

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