NY Giants roster cut tracker: LIVE updates as New York trims roster to 53 players
The NY Giants roster must be set before Tuesday afternoon’s deadline, meaning Dave Gettleman, Joe Judge, and the front office must make 27 cuts to get to 53
The NFL preseason is over, and now the hardest work of all for front offices across the league, including the NY Giants begins as teams must trim their rosters to 53 players prior to Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline to do so.
Several players on the NY Giants roster are already candidates to be placed on injured reserve to start the season, with the possibility of tight end Evan Engram (calf) and wide receiver Darius Slayton (foot/ankle) joining the walking wounded during Sunday night’s 22-20 preseason loss to the New England Patriots.
Some teams across the league have already begun making their cuts, but general manager Dave Gettleman, head coach Joe Judge, and the coaching staff have until Tuesday afternoon to make the final call on bubble players.
In the meantime, here is a best guess projection of what the final Giants 53-man roster will look like, as well as a look at who’s trending towards making the team and who’s trending towards getting cut.
Keep it here for live updates and analysis as cuts are made to the NY Giants roster to get to 53 players prior to Thursday’s deadline:
Monday – 1:30 p.m. NY Giants trade B.J. Hill to the Bengals in exchange for Billy Price
The NY Giants acquired former Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Billy Price, in exchange for defensive lineman B.J. Hill, in a move that clears $2.1 million in cap space and adds a player capable of providing depth along the interior of the offensive line.
Tuesday – 9:25 a.m. NY Giants release OG Chad Slade
The NY Giants released offensive guard/tackle Chad Slade, a league source confirmed to FanSided. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo was first to report the move. Slade spent much of the 2019 season on the Giants’ practice squad, and played three offensive snaps last season.
Tuesday – 9:30 a.m. NY Giants release S Madre Harper
The #Giants are releasing CB Madre Harper, source said. He played in nine games for them last year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2021
Harper spent some time with the first-team defense in training camp this summer, after playing 30 defensive snaps last season and producing a pair of tackles.
Tuesday – 10:30 a.m. NY Giants release DE/LB Niko Lalos
The #Giants have released Niko Lalos, #NFL source says.
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) August 31, 2021
The NY Giants released defensive end/linebacker Niko Lalos, an NFL source tells FanSided.
Lalos made a contribution last season, when he produced six total tackles, intercepted one pass, and played a key role in the Giants’ victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Tuesday – 10:52 a.m. NY Giants release Matt Cole
WR Matt Cole is being waived, per source. Young WR out of McKendree showed some versatility and flashed on special teams.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 31, 2021
Cole did not record a reception for the NY Giants during the preseason, after arriving late in training camp and appearing in two preseason games. There was thought among some that his versatility to also play cornerback could help him secure a roster spot, but that wound up not being the case.
Tuesday – 11:20 a.m. NY Giants release WR David Sills
The #Giants are waiving WR David Sills, per source. Had a strong preseason. Another to watch on waivers.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 31, 2021
Despite being one of the more productive wide receivers for the NY Giants during the preseason, Sills found himself caught in a numbers game at what is suddenly one of the deepest positions on the roster. Sills, 25, caught seven passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in the Giants’ three preseason games.
Tuesday – 11:45 a.m. NY Giants release RB Corey Clement
The NY Giants released RB Corey Clement, a league source confirmed to FanSided. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News was first to report the move.
Clement showed some explosiveness during training camp and the preseason, and at one point seemed to be pushing Devontae Booker for the No. 2 running back job, behind star Saquon Barkley. However, a fumble in the preseason opener seemed to knock the former Eagles running back down a peg, and Clement’s release clears the way for the Giants to keep rookie Gary Brightwell.
Tuesday – Noon NY Giants release wide receivers Alex Bachman, Austin Mack
Tuesday – 1:20 p.m. NY Giants waive defensive lineman Willie Henry
The NY Giants released defensive lineman Willie Henry, an NFL source tells FanSided.
Henry was signed to add depth along the defensive line during training camp and the preseason. He finished with eight tackles, one sack and one pass breakup.
Tuesday – 1:25 p.m. NY Giants release OL Jonotthan Harrison, Kenny Wiggins, Jake Burton, Brett Heggie
The NY Giants’ offensive line depth is beginning to take shape. Following Monday’s acquisition of Billy Price, it would seem Price, Nate Solder, Jackson Barton and Ted Larsen will open the season as the top backup linemen.
Tuesday – 1:25 p.m. – NY Giants release Ifeadi Odenigbo
DL Ifeadi Odenigbo is being released, per source. Guaranteed $1 million this offseason. Was just never a fit with Giants. Had 10.5 sacks previous two years combined in Minnesota.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 31, 2021
Odenigbo never quite lived up to his billing as a Day one free agent signing during training camp and preseason this summer.
Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com.