Big Blue’s rookies and a group of select veterans already kicked things off earlier this week under first-year head coach Pat Shurmur.
New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman spent his first offseason rebuilding the roster for a quick turnaround. He addressed weaknesses along the offensive line and added personnel to fit James Bettcher’s defense.
There’s been no shortage of turnover. Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg, Devon Kennard, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are all gone.
Saquon Barkley, Nate Solder, Will Hernandez, Lorenzo Carter, and Alec Ogletree take their place as the new players expected to turn this franchise around. Of course, the return of Odell Beckham Jr., Landon Collins, Damon Harrison, and Olivier Vernon should also help.
It won’t be easy coming off a 3-13 season. However, the Giants were decimated by injuries in 2017. If anything, Big Blue learned the importance of depth. Selecting the right 53 men out of a 90-man roster over the next five weeks will be critical to the team’s success.
There’s plenty of talented players who won’t make the final 53-man cut. Many will join new teams. Others will sign with Big Blue’s practice squad.
There are also players who will surprise the coaching staff at training camp. In 2010, undrafted free agent Victor Cruz made a name for himself in his first preseason outing.
There are likely more roster spots available in East Rutherford than in years past. That always tends to be the case under a new front office and coaching staff.
The ties to the old regime are gone. Gettleman and Shurmur have made it clear, it’s about building a winning team. It will be interesting to see which players exceed expectations and to see who falls short.
Here’s a look at the top 10 New York Giants on the roster bubble entering training camp.