NY Giants’ 53-man roster prediction ahead of competitive training camp

Safeties (4)

Jabrill Peppers, Logan Ryan, Xavier McKinney, Julian Love

Peppers and Ryan struck an instant chemistry on the backend of the NY Giants’ defense last fall, despite Love arriving having never played the position before in his career.

While Ryan signed a long-term extension on Christmas morning, Peppers still has much to prove, entering 2021 on a fifth-year option.

Meanwhile, McKinney has the potential to be the NY Giants’ breakout star in 2021. McKinney arrived with much promise, as the NY Giants’ second-round pick in 2021, but a foot injury derailed his rookie campaign. Over the final five weeks, once healthy, McKinney produced 25 total tackles, intercepted a pivotal pass in a victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the season finale, and broke up another.

NY Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham frequently deploys looks with three safeties, which will undoubtedly increase McKinney’s playing time.

Specialists (3):

Graham Gano, Carson Tinker, Ryan Santoso

Outside looking in: Riley Dixon, Casey Kreiter

Not much change here, save for Santoso over Dixon, after Dixon seemed to regress in 2021.

Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com, Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL