Prematurely Projecting The New York Giants Depth Chart And 53-Man Roster
By Neal Lynch
LEFT DEFENSIVE END
JASON PIERRE-PAUL
I wrote that JPP is poised to become the greatest comeback story of all-time in what could his final season as a Giant. Recently, JPP said he won’t be celebrating the Fourth of July in the U.S., stating where he’s going they don’t celebrate the holiday. Those in and around Giants camp have noted that JPP looks better than he did last year and possibly the best of his career. With Olivier Vernon on the other side and Damon Harrison up the gut, JPP now has the talent to take some of the attention away from him, which should result in a banner campaign heading into free agency.
KERRY WYNN
The Giants carried a ton of defensive ends over the years, but Kerry Wynn has quietly earned his way into the rotation. Even with the influx of undrafted free agents like Romeo Okwara and Ishaq Williams, Wynn’s shown he belongs.
RIGHT DEFENSIVE END
OLIVIER VERNON
Early word from OTAs is that Vernon looks real good and many project him to make the Pro Bowl. Olivier would “love to see how it is to play in the postseason” and he should get that opportunity this season. He doesn’t believe his contract will impact his play, and calls JPP the leader of the defense, so he appears to be handling the New York media well.
OWA ODIGHIZUWA
Fellow G-MenHQ editor Chris Schwarz believes the Giants should use Owa Odighizuwa in a Von Miller role. The sudden surplus of pass rushers harks back to the NASCAR days as we could see JPP, Vernon, Owa, and Whitlock lining up on throwing downs.
LEFT DEFENSIVE TACKLE
JOHNATHAN HANKINS
Much like Kennard, Hankins didn’t have as successful a sophomore season as his rookie campaign, but there’s renewed optimism as Hank seems fully back to strength after tearing his pec midway through the 2015 schedule. Having Damon Harrison by his side will only free up the Tank to take down more ball carriers behind the line.
JAY BROMLEY
Bromley has flown mostly under the radar since being drafted but there have been reports that he’s motivated by the newcomers to the defensive side of the ball and is out to prove the Giants need him on a much more talented roster than last season.
RIGHT DEFENSIVE TACKLE
DAMON HARRISON
The league’s best run-stuffer has already been called the difference-maker for the 2016 Giants as he’s fitting in nicely with the team. Harrison has called for tougher practices, which seems to fit nicely with Jasper Brinkley calling his crew “nasty guys” and feisty first years Sterling Shepard and Donte Deontay. The Giants have lost that ferocity over the past three or four years, but the overwhelming perception of this current roster is it has fire. NO ONE will care that Damon’s a two-down player when those two downs result in long third downs, which result in sacks by JPP, Vernon and Company.
MONTORI HUGHES
I’m strictly calling Hughes over the others due to his mammoth size and his experience.
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