A Very Early New York Giants 53-Man Roster Prediction

While there are still several more weeks to go and anything can happen, all signs are looking good for the Giants to open their summer training camp at their East Rutherford, New Jersey headquarters in late July.

According to the NFL, the virtual off-season program has been extended for two more weeks.

A memo from Commissioner Roger Goodell has indicated that clubs in states that have begun relaxing restrictions that were initially in place due to the COVID-10 pandemic can bring back their football staff to the team’s facilities as early as possible the coming week.

When the Giants do eventually hit the field, there will be questions—lots of questions—across the board for new head coach Joe Judge and his staff to sort through at every position.

So let’s take a look at the various position breakdowns, and identify who they have, who had the best chance of landing on the 53-man roster, and what the most significant question mark of each unit is ahead of training camp.

Quarterbacks

Who They Have: Daniel Jones, Colt McCoy, Alex Tanney, Cooper Rush, Case Cookus

Who They’ll Keep: Jones, McCoy

Biggest Question: Alex Tanney or Cooper Rush?

Colt McCoy figures to be the No. 2 man on the quarterback depth chart as if anything should happen to Daniel Jones, McCoy has the most live game experience out of all the quarterbacks on the roster. 

The question is whether the Giants will be able to afford to carry three quarterbacks on the roster? It’s thought that the Giants claimed Cooper Rush off waivers given his familiarity with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett’s system.

They might not have to keep three quarterbacks on the roster because Rush is eligible for the practice squad. Meanwhile, Alex Tanney, who has served as a very underrated member of the quarterbacks room, will probably be moving on as it doesn’t make sense to carry him and McCoy and a potential quarterback on the practice squad.

Running Backs

Who They Have: Saquon Barkley, Dion Lewis, Wayne Gallman, Jon Hilliman, Javon Leake, FB George Aston, Eli Penney (FB), Sandro Platzgummer

Who They’ll Keep: Barkley, Lewis, Gallman, Penny

Biggest Question: Wayne Gallman or Dion Lewis as the No. 2 Back?

Last year Wayne Gallman faded from the picture seemingly without warning. The previous coaching staff, which made the decision, never really gave a reason behind what led to Gallman’s benching, other than to hint that Buck Allen, who had been on the roster last year, had done some things in practice that put him ahead of Gallman.

Now the Giants have a new coaching staff that has promised all its players a fresh start, which means it’s all about what they do from this point forward.

Still, with the Giants having added Dion Lewis to the mix—Lewis has ties to head coach Joe Judge from their time in New England—does this mean Gallman is facing another uphill Competition to earn playing time?

Receivers

Who they Have: Sterling Shepard, Golden Tate, Darius Slayton, Cody Core, Corey Coleman, David Sills, Da’Mari Scott, Alex Bachman, Austin Mack, Binjamen Victor, Derrick Dillon

Who They’ll Keep: Shepard, Tate, Slayton, Core, Coleman, Sills, Dillon

Biggest Question: Which of the three undrafted receivers—Austin Mack, Binjamen Victor, and Derrick Dillon—have the best chance of making the roster?

The Giants made what many believe is a head-scratching decision not to draft a receiver from a historically deep class. In retrospect, it might not matter given that come 2021 when they’ll likely have a few more openings, they’ll be looking at another solid group of receivers.

For now, the Giants appear willing to roll the dice with what they have despite some question marks. For example, if Sterling Shepard suffers another head injury, it’s hard to see him finishing his current contract. And they also appear confident that Corey Coleman, who is coming off an ACL tear, will be as good as new. 

At the bottom of the depth charter, look for one of Austin Mack, Binjamen Victor, or Derrick Dillon to round out what could well be a seven-member receiving corps. There is some legitimate talent in this trio, with Dillon’s speed looking like a perfect match for the more vertical system the Giants are looking to run.

Seven receivers might seem like a lot to keep but remember Cody Core, although listed as a receiver, is more of a special teams player and a guy who probably won’t get many opportunities on offense given his importance to the core special teams units.

Tight Ends

Who they Have: Evan Engram, Levine Toilolo, Kaden Smith, Eric Tomlinson, Garrett Dickerson, Kyle Markway, Rysen John

Who They’ll Keep: Engram, Toilolo, Smith

Biggest Question: Will they keep a fourth tight end on the 53-man roster? 

The Giants probably won’t be able to keep more than three tight ends on their roster. However, thanks to a new roster rule, every week they’ll be allowed to bring two guys up from the practice squad for game day, which means they can afford to carry one less guy at any given position unit on the 53-man roster if necessary. 

Given the injury history of Evan Engram, who the team is hoping will be medically cleared in time for training camp from his foot surgery, it might not be a bad idea to carry another tight end on the practice squad.

John is an intriguing option given his size and his prior production. The Canadian native was a wide receiver in college, but his size screams tight end. If he can show any proficiency as a blocker, the Giants might just have found themselves a diamond in the rough whom they can lean on if injuries once again hit this unit. 

Offensive Line

Who They Have: Nate Solder, Will Hernandez, Spencer Pulley, Kevin Zeitler, Andrew Thomas, Cameron Fleming, Matt Peart, Nick Gates, Shane Lemieux, Eric Smith, Chad Slade, Nate Wozniak, Kyle Murphy, Tyler Haycraft

Who They’ll Keep: Solder, Hernandez, Pulley, Zeitler, Thomas, Fleming, Peart, Gates, Lemieux

Biggest Question: Who will be the starting center?

The Giants finally upgraded their offensive tackle spot using both free agency and the draft to do so, but a big question mark remains at center. Veteran Spencer Pulley appears to be the incumbent, which makes sense, given his experience as the position. 

However, both general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Joe Judge have mentioned Nick Gates as a possibility, while fifth-round draft pick Shane Lemieux could potentially fill that role down the line. 

Although the Giants haven’t revealed their long-term plans, it looks as though Lemieux is the future at that position, as, barring injury, Will Hernandez is locked in at left guard, the position Lemieux played in college. 

So where will that leave Gates, who has played well enough to warrant consideration for a starting job?

The answer could be at right guard if the Giants decide to move on from incumbent Kevin Zeitler after this year. Zeitler’s contract runs through 2021, and he’d cunt for $14.5 million against the cap. 

Meanwhile, Gates would be an unrestricted free agent in 2021, meaning the Giants could retain his services for a fraction of what they’d have to pay Zeitler while also keeping Gates at what’s probably his best position on the offensive line. 

Defensive Linemen 

Who they Have: Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, Dalvin Tomlinson, B.J. Hill, Austin Johnson, R.J. McIntosh, Chris Slayton, Oluwole Betiku, Niko Lalos, Dana Levine

Who They’ll Keep: Williams, Lawrence, Tomlinson, Hill, Johnson, McIntosh

Biggest Question: Will they reach a long-term deal with Leonard Williams by July 15? 

Whether you agree or disagree with the Giants’ decision to trade for Leonard Williams, the fact remains that the deal was consummated, and that general manager Dave Gettleman has doubled down on ensuring Williams remains in blue for a long time. 

Of course, for that to happen, the two sides need to come to a resolution regarding a long-term contract, as currently, Williams, in having signed the franchise tag, is choking up $16.1 million of cap space.

So can the two sides get to a long-term deal by July 15, the deadline for such an arrangement to be made? If it doesn’t, the Giants will be pinched for cap space this year unless they rework another big contract within their Top 10 earners.  

Of those top 10, only Kevin Zeitler and receiver Golden Tate, both of whom are past age 30, no longer have guaranteed money. (The Giants redid Zeitler’s contract last year to open up cap space, so it would be unlikely to do so again this year.)

Then there is another factor to consider when it comes to Williams’ long-term deal. If the Giants can’t get him done this year, they will have Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson’s contract to address next year. It would be hard to see the Giants paying both mega money.

What they could potentially do if that July 15 deadline comes and goes without a new deal in place with Williams is to get Tomlinson extended this year and then use the franchise tag again on Williams next year.

Outside Linebackers 

 Who They Have: Lorenzo Carter, Kyler Fackrell, Oshane Ximines, Cam Brown, Carter Coughlin, Chris Peace, Dominique Ross

Who They’ll Keep: Carter, Fackrell, Ximines, Brown, Coughlin

Biggest Question: Is more help (Markus Golden) really on the way?

On paper, the Giants’ edge-rushing group, and by virtue their pass rush, is built on a wing and prayer.

In other words, there is potential there that they are hoping new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s schemes will help to unlock. Considering they’ve twice tried this approach without much success, it’s hard to envision it working this time around, even with the upgrades made to the back end of the defense.  

That’s probably why the Giants applied the seldom-used UFA tender on Markus Golden, their only defender with double-digit sacks last year their only one since Jason Pierre-Paul recorded 12.5 sacks in 2014. 

If no team signs Golden by July 22 or the start of the first NFL training camp—whichever date is later—the Giants will retain Golden’s services and only have to pay him a 10% raise from last year’s $4.75 million cap hit.

Still, one man alone can’t get it done, and if nothing else, the Giants need for some of this other young talent they’ve acquired—Carter, Ximines, and Fackrell—to contribute to the pass rush as well.

Inside Linebackers 

 Who They Have: Blake Martinez, Ryan Connelly, David Mayo, TJ Brunson, Tae Crowder, Josiah Tauaefa, Devante Downs, Mark McLaurin

Who They’ll Keep: Martinez, Connelly, Mayo, Brunson

Biggest Question: Which of their seventh-round draft picks at this position, if any, will make the roster? 

The Giants loaded up on young linebackers in the seventh round, but it’s difficult to see them all making the 53-man roster. While it boils down to what the players do from this point forward, that Brunson has more experience playing the position than Crowder, who switched to the role in 2016 after starting his college career as a running back, could give Brunson an early advantage. 

Cornerbacks

Who They Have: James Bradberry, DeAndre Baker, Sam Beal, Julian Love, Darnay Holmes, Corey Ballentine, Grant Haley, Christian Angulo, Malcolm Elmore

Who They’ll Keep: Bradberry, Beal, Holmes, Love, Ballentine  

Biggest Question: What does the future hold in store for DeAndre Baker?

While some are ready to write off second-year cornerback DeAndre Baker, facing four counts each of armed robbery and aggravated assault stemming from an alleged incident occurring in Miramar, Florida, the legal process still needs to play out. 

Baker, who has been told to stay away from the team’s virtual off-season program while he addresses his legal issues, is missing out on some key classroom time that would otherwise have prepared him to hit the ground running in his all-important second season. 

Even if Baker is cleared of all charges, there are still other questions surrounding the former Georgia cornerback. Will the NFL get involved and penalize Baker under the personal conduct policy? Will Baker be placed on a commissioner’s exemption list, and if so, for how long? 

These are just a handful of the questions that need to be resolved before the Giants can ascertain if they’ll have Baker, who was projected to be one of their starting cornerbacks this year, available. 

Safeties

Who They Have: Jabrill Peppers, Xavier McKinney, Montre Hartage, Chris Williamson, Nate Ebner, Sean Chandler, Rashaan Gaulden, Dravon Askew-Henry, JaQuarius Landrews

Who They’ll Keep: Peppers, McKinney, Hartage, Williamson, Ebner

Biggest Question:  What kind of flexibility does this group offer?

A key buzz word in the NFL is “multiple” as in multiple looks; with that, players can do numerous things.

Next to the defensive linemen, the crop of Giants safeties might be the most diverse group of talent this team has had in a while. Xavier McKinney, the Giants’ second-round draft pick, has had experience as a free safety, a box safety, in the slot, and as a pseudo linebacker. 

Jabrill Peppers can also perform multiple roles. Julian Love, who is listed under cornerbacks because he’s projected to do more as a cornerback this year, can lend his talents to the safety group as well. 

With that said, there is a lot of youth in that group of safeties, Peppers, being the longest-tenured (excluding Nate Ebner, who while listed as a safety is more of a special teams core member). With much having been made of the revamped Giants defensive backfield if they can get some solid play from this safeties group, that could end up being a big key for what Graham is believed to want to run.  

Specialists

Who They Have: K Aldrick Rosas, P Riley Dixon, LS Casey Kreiter

Who They’ll Keep: Rosas, Dixon, Casey Kreiter

Biggest Question:  Which Aldrick Rosas shows up?

Aldrick Rosas has been something of an enigma for the Giants.

After a rocky first season in 2017, he turned it around and became a Pro Bowl kicker in 2018. However, in 2019, he reverted to that shaky and, at times, uncertain kicker he was in his first season. 

Still, the Giants aren’t about to give up on Rosas and his big strong kicking leg, but it is imperative that Rosas, who at times last year seemed to get a little too quickly rattled when things didn’t go right, develop more of a steel-like resolve.

If he can’t, then it might be time for the Giants to move on to someone who doesn’t get as easily rattled.