The New York Giants took care of business against the Jets on Saturday night, and the preseason scoreboard wasn’t the only thing worth watching. Big Blue looked sharp on both sides of the ball, and some roster questions are starting to answer themselves. Others... not so much.
Jaxson Dart looked the part again, throwing a touchdown, running for another, and putting together a second straight strong performance. That’s great news for the long term, and a potential headache for the short term.
There’s no way around it: this roster’s getting crowded fast, and some tough calls are on their way. After what fans just witnessed, the latest 53-man projection comes with some pretty major quarterback changes.
Giants flip QB room on its head in updated 53-man roster prediction after preseason win over Jets
Quarterbacks (3): Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston
Changes are coming for New York's quarterback room. The G-Men won't carry four quarterbacks into 2025, and Tommy Cutlets is the odd man out. The fan favorite will likely sign with a new team immediately afterwards, so it's a little bittersweet. The other big change coming from the group is Dart moving into the second spot. He's earned it. He's not QB1, but another strong preseason performance has him leapfrogging Winston on the depth chart.
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Running backs (4): Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, Cam Skattebo, Dante "Turbo" Miller
This wasn't all that tough a group to project. Tracy, Singeltary, and Skattebo are all roster locks, but coming from out of nowhere is New York's preseason highlight reel, Turbo Miller. The second-year UDFA is taking the preseason by storm, and playing so well that he couldn't be left off the roster.
Wide receivers (6): Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Beaux Collins, Lil'Jordan Humphrey
Nabers, Slayton, Robinson, and Hyatt are locks. That leaves three worthy candidates fighting for two roster spots: Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Beaux Collins, and Montrell Washington. Unfortunately for Washington, Collins and Humphrey feel like they have a better connection with the QBs. Humphrey and Dart have something special, and Wilson and Collins' connection couldn't have been summed up better than Russ' 80-yard moon ball to the undrafted rookie against Gang Green.
Tight ends (3): Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, Greg Dulcich
Theo Johnson finally flashed the talent that made him a fourth-round pick in 2024. His 30-yard screen pass from Dart was electric. Just as electric was Greg Dulcich's 20-yard TD reception from Dart, who has been utilizing the tight ends better than any other QB on the roster. Bellinger stays on the team as a block-first TE with limited pass-catching upside. Seventh-round rookie Thomas Fidone makes his way to the practice squad.
Offensive line: (10): Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., Greg Van Roten, John Michael Schmitz, Jermaine Eluemunor, Evan Neal, Marcus Mbow, Joshua Ezeudu, James Hudson III, Austin Schlottman
Marcus Mbow and Joshua Ezeudu continue to impress along the line. They aren't the only ones, however. Evan Neal's preseason debut looked pretty good. There were a few plays where he was the sole reason the play was kept alive. With John Michael Schmitz continuing to struggle mightily, it wouldn't be outrageous to suggest Greg Van Roten eventually replaces him as the starting center.
Defensive tackles (5): Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, Elijah Chatman, Roy Roberston-Harris, Darius Alexander
Oh man, where to begin? It's Dexter Lawrence and then everyone else. No one has stepped up and looked special this preseason, which is a huge bummer for one Darius Alexander. The 25-year-old rookie out of Toledo has struggled hard. He was a non-factor again against the Jets — not ideal for a player the Giants hoped would emerge. Elijah Chatman looks like a roster lock — if not at DT, he'll be the team's next fullback, lining up in the backfield and clearing space for the RBs.
Defensive ends (4): Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, Chauncey Golston
Giants fans have heard about this group the whole offseason. Abdul Carter impressed immediately against the Bills in preseason Game 1, but had a much quieter Game 2. Still, the sky is the limit for the 21-year-old. Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux are both out to prove the doubters wrong, and Chauncey Golston is here to do what he does best... in his own words.
Linebackers (4): Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Darius Muasau, Chris Board
Not much will change for the linebacking corps. Okereke and McFadden are the starters, while Muasau does his best to become more consistent. Veteran Chris Board offers tremendous upside on the special teams unit, but little in the linebacking department.
Cornerbacks (6): Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, Cor'Dale Flott, Nic Jones, Tre Hawkins III
Aside from Paulson Adebo and Dru Phillips, the rest of the Giants' cornerback unit is very much up in the air. Deonte Banks and Cor'Dale Flott are still fighting for the CB2 slot opposite Adebo, and with Banks missing time due to an undisclosed injury, Flott made the most of his absence with a solid showing. Big Blue sends seventh-round rookie Korie Black to the practice squad.
Safeties (5): Jevón Holland, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton, Raheem Layne, K'Von Wallace
For better or for worse, the safety group didn't necessarily have much to shake up. Jevón Holland and Tyler Nubin are locked in as the starters, while Dane Belton's strong camp makes him an intriguing third safety option. Raheem Layne did have a pass breakup against the Jets, and K'Von Wallace offers some special teams upside.
Specialists (3): Graham Gano, Jamie Gillan, Casey Kreiter
The specialist unit didn't do much against the Jets, but Jamie Gillan did have a 52-yard punt and Gano did hit three field goals over 50 yards in preseason Game 1... so, yeah. Good stuff from a unit that needs a bounce-back year.