With the preseason over and NFL cut day behind us, teams have posted their initial 53-man rosters. But with all of those cuts, there is plenty of talent available on the waiver wire.
With the New York Giants sitting fifth in the waiver order, they have a chance to add some difference-makers who can fill gaps and provide rotational depth across the roster. There weren’t any major surprise cuts for the Giants, with the most notable being Evan Neal and Jalin Hyatt, two players who didn’t pan out in New York and will almost certainly be looking for fresh starts somewhere else.
Remember how the waiver wire works. It isn’t a draft-type system. If a team is sitting first in the waiver order and puts in 20 claims, it can effectively be awarded all 20 of those players. It would then have to make room for those 20 incoming players.
So while the Giants more than likely won’t put a claim in on all 10 players on this list, let’s take a quick look at some names on the waiver wire they should definitely consider.
10 players the Giants should target on the waiver wire after roster cuts
Interior Defensive Linemen Depth
1. McKinnley Jackson
McKinnley Jackson is a 24-year-old defensive tackle out of Texas A&M. Jackson stands at 6-foot-2 and 330 pounds. He was drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and while his stats may not exactly be eye-popping, he excels at exactly what the Giants need: run stuffing.
At just 24 years old, a new team may be the fresh start Jackson is looking for, and learning from one of the best in the league in DJ Reader could greatly benefit him.
2. Rashaun Benny
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, the versatile edge/DT Rashaun Benny could be a very interesting addition for the Giants. The former Michigan Wolverine was drafted in the seventh round of this past April’s NFL Draft and simply got caught up in a numbers game in Baltimore.
Benny was known for his high motor and run-stuffing ability. He excels at filling and controlling gaps. The Giants need to add interior depth, and Benny could be an option.
3. Naz Stackhouse
The mountain in the middle, Naz Stackhouse is known for one thing: run stuffing. That’s what Stackhouse does best.
The former Georgia Bulldog was signed by the Packers as a UDFA but was recently let go. The 24-year-old stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs in at 327 pounds. Eating double teams and controlling gaps, having a DT like Stackhouse lined up next to new Giants DT C.J. Okoye, who stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs in at 370 pounds, could be a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen.
4. Colby Wooden
Colby Wooden could help the Giants in a multitude of ways. Wooden may not have the size the other three defensive linemen possess, but he can fit the scheme in a way similar to Roy Robertson-Harris.
Wooden can play both edge and tackle and is known to be stout in the run game. Fast, physical, and violent, Wooden is a disruptor who can blow plays up in the backfield. Even at 273 pounds, he ranked 38th out of 146 defensive tackles in run stopping, according to PFF. Adding that type of talent to the interior could be a massive upgrade for the Giants.
Offensive Linemen
1, Trevor Keegan
Trevor Keegan is a 24-year-old offensive lineman drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Keegan was an All-Conference guard at Michigan. He had a good preseason with the Cowboys and will more than likely garner interest on the waiver wire.
After trading away Josh Ezeudu and Daniel Faalele and releasing Lucas Patrick, Jake Kubas, Evan Neal, and Brenden Jaimes, the Giants seem primed to add another player to develop. Keegan could be a welcome addition.
2. Tristan Leigh
Tristan Leigh is a rookie tackle out of Clemson who may be a practice squad candidate for the Giants if he goes unclaimed on the waiver wire. Leigh is a 6-foot-6 tackle who went undrafted and was picked up by the Vikings after this past April’s NFL Draft.
Leigh and the Giants met during the Senior Bowl, so there is some connection there. He may be a player to keep an eye on for the Giants.
3. Jake Majors
Jake Majors went undrafted out of Texas, but the center is exactly what Giants offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren is asking for: “a smart prick.”
Majors is good at both pass protection and run blocking, but what he really excels at is commanding an offensive line. Majors has been praised for his ability to lead effectively and communicate, as well as his outstanding IQ for the game.
Majors could be a claim, or if he goes unclaimed, could land on the practice squad and eventually push incumbent backup center Bryan Hudson for a role.
Secondary
1. Mory Bamba
MOOOOOOOOO BAMBAAAAAAAAA. (Sorry, song stuck in my head.)
If there is one position the Giants need to make an addition at, it’s the secondary. While Deonte Banks has looked good this summer and newcomer Greg Newsome has looked good so far, there are definitely depth concerns.
UDFA Mory Bamba could be a good steal for the Giants on the waiver wire. The 6-foot-2 corner from BYU is an athletic freak, led by a 4.27 40-yard dash and an 11-foot-1 broad jump. Bamba, 25, does well in both zone and man and could take his game to the next level as a developmental addition for new Giants DC Dennard Wilson.
2. Beanie Bishop
Giants fans have been asking to sign Beanie for years, it seems. Bishop has proven capable of playing nickel, slot, and dime for the Steelers. He has dealt with some nagging injury concerns, but the feisty, physical corner fought his way into a starting role as a rookie and, in two seasons, has seven passes defended and four interceptions.
The Giants could use someone who can push third-year man Dru Phillips for the inside corner role.
A Developmental LB
Deontae Lawson
Deontae Lawson is a former All-American linebacker out of Alabama. Lawson went undrafted in this past draft but was signed as a UDFA by the Eagles. The Giants could potentially stash Lawson and develop him.
Lawson is a field general known for his leadership after being a team captain at Bama. He’s a bit undersized for his position but is fast, physical, and violent. He’s great against the run and capable of dropping into coverage. Lawson can also shed blocks and make tackles at the line of scrimmage.
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