NY Giants projected 53-man roster after Week 2 of the preseason

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Dec 6, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates following a fourth down stop against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

In: Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, Jalyn Holmes, Justin Ellis, Ryder Anderson, DJ Davison

Out: Nick Williams, David Moa

While Williams and Lawrence will obviously be the starters up front, Holmes has impressed in camp and has secured the first backup job. Ellis, who played for Martindale in Baltimore, will be a backup and play some nose tackle in three defensive lineman looks. Anderson, the undrafted rookie out of Indiana, has showed off his special teams prowess and has out played fellow rookie, fifth round pick DJ Davidson, who will also likely make the roster.

Outside Linebacker

In: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Jihad Ward, Elerson Smith, Quincy Roche

Out: Oshane Ximines, Tomon Fox

Thibodeaux and Ojulari will start outside, with Ward and Smith backing them up. The real intrigue will come down to whether or not Roche or Ximines will make the roster, and it’s hard to believe Roche will be cut after having such a productive season a year ago.

Ximines has been a disappointment since being drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft, and no Giants fan will forget his offsides penalty in Kansas City a year ago, which negated Darnay Holmes’ potentially game sealing interception of Patrick Mahomes. Ximines costing the Giants what would have been the biggest upset of the 2021 NFL season has made him very unpopular in New York.

Inside Linebacker

In: Blake Martinez, Tae Crowder, Micah McFadden, Cam Brown, Carter Coughlin

Out: Austin Calitro

Injured Reserve: Darrian Beavers

Martinez is back to anchor the Giants defense and Crowder will be his inside staring mate for now. Crowder was being pushed by rookie sixth-round pick Darrian Beavers for that second starting spot, but Beavers torn ACL assures Crowder that spot. McFadden, the rookie fifth-round pick, and Cam Brown the special teams ace, are locked onto the roster. It seems as though Carter Coughlin will benefit most from Beavers injury, as he likely slides back on the roster.

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