Now that NFL training camp is underway, each team must assess its depth at every position before trimming its roster to 53 players in late August.
Over the next few weeks, players will inevitably suffer injuries, exposing the depth on each roster. That is why each team must have enough reliable backups at position to prepare for every outcome, though some teams are deeper than others.
Fortunately, the New York Giants have plenty of depth on their training camp roster, and that depth is already drawing attention. A couple of their backups recently got the recognition they deserve, giving Big Blue fans another reason to feel hyped going into this season.
Jameis Winston and Kayvon Thibodeaux crack ESPN's All-Backup Team
Bill Barnwell of ESPN recently released his NFL All-Backup Team. He built a roster of 53 backup players, some of whom are rotation players, and others we could expect to be starters by the end of the season, raising the question of whether this team could contend for a Super Bowl.
From the G-Men, Barnwell selected quarterback Jameis Winston and edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. Both are well-known veterans and could contribute immediately to this hypothetical All-Backup Team.
Barnwell stated that Jameis offers high-risk, high-reward quarterback play and can get “white-hot” for stretches at a time. Kayvon, on the other hand, he called a trade candidate this season, but with an 11.5-sack season behind him, he’s a starter on the All-Backup Team.
For the Giants, Winston will continue to serve as a mentor to Jaxson Dart in his development, given his experience at the collegiate and professional level. Winston has had an impressive resume dating back to college, winning the Heisman Trophy and National Championship in 2013 with Florida State and was the first overall pick in 2015.
He has played for four NFL teams and was the Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler in 2015. Jameis was also the NFL’s passing yards leader in 2019. The veteran signal-caller has seen it all around the league, which makes him a true leader in Big Blue’s locker room.
As for Thibs, his status as a trade candidate has distracted from how effective he is as a player. We know what KT is capable of when he’s on the field, but staying healthy has been a consistent issue for him. He’s played in 22 total games over the last two seasons.
Thibodeaux will also have to compete against both Brian Burns and Abdul Carter for defensive snaps. Both Burns and Carter are viewed as the two primary starters. First-round rookie Arvell Reese will also be given opportunities as an edge rusher, making it harder for Thibodeaux to stand out at camp.
While Winston and Thibodeaux may not be the players you think of who can help the G-Men win right away, they are valuable veterans on and off the field for the team. As limited as their snaps may be, they could end up being important pieces in New York's fight to make a playoff run.
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