A Way Too Early NY Giants 53-Man Roster Projection
The NY Giants open training camp on July 27th, 2022. Therefore, I thought this would be a perfect time to preview the roster.
Any fan of the NY Giants will tell you the past decade has not been a fun one. From 2012-2021, the Giants posted a 37.9% winning percentage with one playoff appearance (2016). Their rosters have mostly been void of serious talent due to injuries, poor drafting, and several overpaid free agents. With a new regime this year, starting with new general manager Joe Schoen and new head coach Brian Daboll, the organization hopes a change comes quickly.
The Giants are young at their core, which could be a good thing. After years of neglecting the offensive line, they seemingly have their cornerstone tackles to protect an often on-the-run quarterback in Daniel Jones. Another draft pick used on premier edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, partnering him with last year’s 2nd round pick of Azeez Ojulari, the pass rush was immediately better.
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Quarterbacks (3)
Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor, and Davis Webb
Jones is the starter, no matter any of the chatter, the newly signed free agent Tyrod Taylor will take his spot. Taylor will play if Jones goes out and lays an egg or is injured. The Giants suffered horrible back quarterback play last year when Jones went down, living with journeyman Mike Glennon and severely underprepared Jake Fromm. They did not want to repeat that and made it a priority to find a quality backup. Webb will make the practice squad if the Giants choose only to run 2.
Running Back (3)
Saquan Barkley, Matt Breida, and Gary Brightwell
Barkley is the valid number one but should get some well-needed rest and relief with Breida on the team. Breida has played for Daboll and is a quality RB2 who can run, catch, and block. The only concern with him (as it is with Barkley) is his health. Brightwell, a late-round pick in 2020, is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and will make the team a special team threat.
Tight Ends (4)
Ricky Seals-Jones, Jordan Atkins, Daniel Bellinger, and Chris Myarick
Four tight ends because I feel the Giants will not keep a fullback on the roster for the first time in a few years. Bellinger, a fourth-round pick this year, will be the starter at some point in the season. This young man is so talented that it will not be long before his number is called. There is serious competition for this position, not only in what I have here but Austin Allen of Nebraska or Jeremiah Hall of Oklahoma. They are both undrafted free agents and have a chance to shine during the preseason and make the team.
Wide Receiver (6)
Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Wan’Dale Robinson, Sterling Shepard, CJ Board, and David Sills V
The big missing receiver here is Darius Slayton. He probably has the best rapport with Jones and could be on the team. With his performance last year and the cap situation the Giants are in, they could use the 2.5 million they gain from cutting Slayton. CJ Board over Ritchie James for me as well; Board is a good backup but very valuable on special teams. Sills because Jones likes him, and Daboll is familiar with him from their Buffalo days.
Offensive Line (9)
Andrew Thomas, Shane Lemieux, Jon Feliciano, Mark Glowinski, Evan Neal, Matt Gono, Max Garcia, Joshua Ezeudu, and Marcus McKethan
Your cornerstone tackles are Thomas and Neal. In addition, several free agent pick-ups add to the line’s depth. Third-round pick Joshua Ezeudu of North Carolina and a fifth-round pick Marcus Mckethan to me, both make the squad. I think Ben Bredeson is cut because he is part of former coach Joe Judges’ team. Fan favorite Nick Gates, along with Matt Peart, with a start the year on the PUP list.
Defensive Line (5)
Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, D.J. Davidson, Justin Ellis, and Jihad Ward
I think the only two “sure things” on this list are Williams and Lawrence. I like Davidson as a fifth-round pick in 2022. I think he could make a run in the preseason and show he was undervalued in the draft. Ellis, a free agent pick-up, is suitable for depth, and he played three years under new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. Ward also played for Martindale in Baltimore and, if healthy, can be one of those free agent signings you look back on as a home run. Another name to watch is undrafted free agent Tyrone Truesdell, 6’2 326 pounds; he could make some noise.
Edge (5)
Azeez Ojulari, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Quincy Roche, Elerson Smith, and Cam Brown
Ojulari and 2022 first-round pick Thibodeaux are the most exciting promise of a one-two edge punch the Giants have seen in a decade. Smith, if healthy, could help as a rotation player, and Roche, signed last year as a free agent, did enough to earn a spot on this team. Brown will likely make the team due to lack of competition but will help on special teams.
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Linebackers (5)
Blake Martinez, Tae Crowder, Micah McFadden, Carter Coughlin, and Darrian Beavers
Martinez is the heart and soul of this group; he needs to be on the field as the General. 2022 draft picks McFadden and Beavers are two of my defensive sleepers, and I think they both will be on the team. Oshane Ximines is the big name missing here. I think the Giants have given him enough time, and it is time to let him go and start fresh somewhere else.
Cornerback (6)
Adoree’ Jackson, Aaron Robinson, Rodarius Williams, CorDale Flott, Jarren Williams, and Darnay Holmes
An interesting group here. Jackson will take over CB1 with the departure of James Bradberry, leaving the question of who will take his place. Robinson played well at times last year but struggled with injuries and may be called into action if Williams, the frontrunner, cannot handle it. Flott is a wildcard as a third-round pick in the 2022 draft. Tall with long arms and willing to support the run, the position could be his by the season’s start. Holmes is another wildcard, thrown in as a rookie to sink or swim, and he survived but needs to be more consistent. They all can play boundary and slot, and I’m sure there will be some movement looking for a veteran at some point for this group.
Safety (4)
Xavier McKinney, Julian Love, Dane Belton, and Yusuf Corker
Another young group, as the veteran presence of Logan Ryan and Jabrill Peppers, are gone. If healthy, Xavier McKinney is the leader and will be a Pro-Bowl player. Love is a jack of trades but master of none; without Peppers or Ryan, he should fall into only playing safety. Belton, a fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft, makes the team, despite being a poor tackler, and undrafted free agent Corker makes it due to lack of competition. Another prime spot for the Giants to sign a veteran.
Special Teams (3)
Placekicker- Graham Gano
Punter- Jamie Gillan
Long Snapper- Casey Kreiter
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