Put the rumor filled offseason to bed – the 2022 season is officially underway! On Tuesday, the entire NY Giants roster reported to camp in East Rutherford, N.J.. On Wednesday, with the first team practice, the squad will start their 2022 season.
After a tumultuous offseason with a complete leadership overhaul, including the hiring of Joe Schoen, a general manager with no previous ties to the Giants, and the hiring of Brian Daboll as head coach, the Giants franchise seems to be in stable hands for the first time in a decade.
After the departure of many veteran players this offseason, the Giants roster also saw some serious turnover, including the addition of 11 2022 draft picks who are all likely to make the final 53-man roster. Before the Giants hit the field on Wednesday, it is time for one last look at where the depth chart stands entering the season.
NY Giants quarterback depth chart
QB starter-Daniel Jones
QB reserves-Tyrod Taylor, Davis Webb
This one is pretty straight forward. The Giants are Daniel Jones’ team (at least for the first month of the season). With his contract up at the end of the campaign, Jones will be given one final opportunity to prove that he should be the franchise quarterback. While we have all seen flashes of just how good Jones could be, he has never put a multiple game stretch of elite football together.
Despite 2022 being a development year for the Giants, it will be interesting to see how patient the Giants will be if Jones has a slow start. Coaches are judged by wins and losses, and with the Giants having one of the easiest schedules in football, it would not be shocking to see Daboll pull the plug on Jones if he struggles in early or midseason and move on to Taylor, the best backup in football, and likely better than multiple starting quarterbacks. Webb is also probably a lock to be on the final roster, as he turned down a coaching job with the Bills to come play in New York. Webb’s coaching pedigree could serve as a great asset to Jones.
NY Giants running back depth chart
RB starter-Saquon Barkley
RB reserves-Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell, Jashaun Corbin
Saquon Barkley is in the final year of his rookie contract and, like Jones, will get every chance to prove his future worth to the Giants. There’s no denying how special a talent Barkley is when he is on the field – he just has to show the new regime that he can stay healthy.
If Barkley does go down, Breida is not a bad choice to be second on the depth chart. Breida busted on to the scene early in his career in San Fransisco and has familiarity with Daboll, playing in Buffalo a season ago. Brightwell is ahead of Corbin to start camp due to his special teams prowess, but expect Corbin to wow the coaching staff with his explosiveness and ultimately pass Brightwell and make the team by the end of training camp.
NY Giants offensive line depth chart
LT-Andrew Thomas, Josh Ezeudu
LG-Shane Lemieux, Josh Ezeudu, Ben Bredeson
C-Jon Feliciano, Jamil Douglas, Max Garcia
RG-Mark Glowinski, Marcus McKethan
RT-Evan Neal, Matt Gono, Matt Peart
Joe Schoen added 11 new offensive linemen to completely overhaul this group this offseason, but 12 will likely battle for 9 spots on the roster. Thomas, Neal, Feliciano, and Glowinski are locked into their starting positions, so the only true battle at left guard will be between rookie Josh Ezeudu and Shane Lemieux. Matt Gono will likely be the backup tackle, as he is versatile and thrives as a swing tackle. Matt Peart is recovering from a torn ACL and could become a surprise cut. Nick Gates, if healthy, which is not expected due to the severity of his broken leg last September, would have a spot on the roster.
NY Giants wide receiver depth chart
Outside WR starters-Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney
Outside WR reserves-Darius Slayton, Collin Johnson, Richie James
Slot WRs-Sterling Shepard, Wan’Dale Robinson
The Giants wide receiver depth chart is talented, though health is the biggest question mark. Golladay, Toney, Shepard, and Slayton all battled numerous injuries in 2021 and Shepard is on the PUP list trying to battle back from an Achilles tear last season.
With Daboll bringing a passing-heavy offense, it could bring out the best in this group with Golladay and Toney getting many more chances than a season ago. Slayton has significant drop issues and could be a sneaky cut candidate at the end of training camp. David Sills, Richie James, and CJ Board are also guys who could sneak their way into this group.
NY Giants tight end depth chart
TE starter-TBD
TE reserves-Daniel Bellinger, Ricky Seals-Jones, Jordan Akins, Austin Allen
This might be the weakest position group on the Giants. However, Giants fans should not worry, as tight ends are not featured often in Daboll’s offense. Bellinger, a rookie fourth round pick, was widely expected to earn the starting role, but is opening up camp on the PUP list which will likely open the door for Seals-Jones to steal the job.
The Giants will likely keep a maximum of three tight ends, and watch out for Allen, a 6-8 undrafted free agent from Nebraska, who thrives in both the passing and blocking games.
NY Giants defensive line depth chart
DL starters-Leonard Williams\Dexter Lawrence\Justin Ellis
DL reserves-DJ Davidson, Nick Williams, Chris Hinton, David Moa
Leonard Williams may be the best player on the Giants roster, and, along with Lawrence and Ellis, will be the starting defensive linemen in Wink Martindale’s 3-4 defense, forming a formidable front. Davidson, a rookie nose tackle out of Arizona State, could push Ellis for playing time. Nick Williams, who started all 17 games for the Lions a season ago, could push his way onto the roster as a capable backup.
NY Giants linebackers depth chart
OLB starters-Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari
OLB reserves-Elerson Smith, Jihad Ward, Quincy Roche, Oshane Ximines, Niko Lalos
There will be no battle as to who the two outside linebackers will be to start the season as Thibodeaux and Ojulari have those on lock. Those two could form the most formidable pass rush the Giants have seen since Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul. Elerson Smith, the fourth round pick of 2021, is finally healthy and could impress the coaching staff with his speed. Jihad Ward could spend time on the field this season, as he is a veteran with experience playing for Martindale in Baltimore. Ximines, a 2019 third round pick, will likely see his disappointing Giants career come to end in camp, unless he can show immense improvement. Watch out for Roche to wow the coaching staff.
ILB starters-Blake Martinez, Tae Crowder
ILB reserves-Micah McFadden, Darrian Beavers, Cam Brown, Carter Coughlin, Justin Hillard
Blake Martinez is back, after missing the last 14.5 games a season ago with a torn ACL. His return is huge as he will likely be the defensive signal caller in 2022. His starting inside linebacker partner will be determined in camp, in a battle between the veteran Crowder, and rookies McFadden and Beavers. Watch out for McFadden to steal this job from the incumbent Crowder. Brown’s special teams acumen will be loved by the new coaching staff.
NY Giants secondary depth chart
CB starters-Adoree’ Jackson, Aaron Robinson
CB reserves-Darnay Holmes, Cor’Dale Flott, Rodarius Williams, Micheal Jaquet, Khalil Dorsey
Adoree’ Jackson is firmly entrenched as the No. 1 cornerback on this roster after the release of James Bradberry. Jackson will get to match up with the number one receiver on opposing rosters every week this season and has more than enough skill to hold his own. Aaron Robinson will likely start aside him this season. Robinson, a 2021 third round pick, missed half of the last season with an injury but performed rather well when on the field.
He will be put on islands this season by Martindale, so it is highly important to make sure he is ready during training camp. Holmes, the veteran, and Flott, the rookie, are entrenched in a camp battle for the slot corner position. Jaquet and Dorsey are veterans who have experience playing for Martindale, while Williams showed his talent last camp before tearing his ACL. Williams will surprise people this training camp and will push for playing time this season.
Safety starters-Xavier McKinney, Julian Love,
Safety reserves-Dane Belton, Jarren Williams, Yusuf Corker, Andrew Adams
Xavier McKinney was one of the lone bright spots on the Giants a season ago and looks to be the franchise cornerstone defensive player. Julian Love will likely start alongside him this season though he has been inconsistent in his career after being a standout player at Notre Dame.
Belton, a rookie fourth round pick out of Iowa, could push Love for the starting strong safety position and will be on the field this season. Williams, who converted to safety from cornerback this offseason, will have to battle with undrafted rookie Yusuf Corker, who is a physical safety that could impress the coaching staff.
NY Giants special teams depth chart
Kicker-Graham Gano
Punter-Jamie Gillan
Long snapper-Casey Kreiter
Graham Gano is an all-pro kicker who has been the focal point of the Giants scoring the last two seasons. While obviously relying on the kicker is not a winning formula, having a reliable kicker like Gano could pay dividends this season.
Jamie Gillan replaces Riley Dixon as the Giants punter and, although he struggled a season ago with Cleveland, the Giants clearly have faith in him as they have not added another punter to the roster. Kreiter signed an extension this offseason and will be the Giants long snapper of the future.