In a flash, the NY Giants took care of business and they trimmed their roster down to 53 men. It wasn't easy for Brian Daboll and Co., but for now, things are locked in for the battle with the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 8.
It's important to note that some changes could still be on the way leading up to Week 1. Might the Giants either add some secondary help via waivers, or potentially make something else happen in free agency? Who knows. What we do know is this is the 53-man roster for now according to beat reporter Dan Duggan of The Athletic:
NY Giants quarterbacks (3)
Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito
No surprises here. Jones is your starter for Week 1 and he's ready to silence all of his haters. Lock will be the QB2. His summer was rough for the G-Men, as he got hurt in the first quarter of his preseason debut with the team. Then there's Tommy 'Cutlets' DeVito. There was speculation that he might get cut, but in our opinion, Daboll made the right move in keeping a third signal-caller on the roster.
NY Giants running backs (3)
Devin Singletary, Eric Gray and Tyrone Tracy Jr.
The main question leading up to cut day was whether or not Dante Miller would sneak onto the 53-man. That wasn't the case, as it was announced the G-Men were releasing him. Singletary is your starter, while Gray is your RB2. Tracy, fit after his ankle scare, will get touches, but also make an impact on special teams. Miller could make his way back to the team via the practice squad. Fullback Jakob Johnson was also cut, but keep an eye on him to potentially return sooner rather than later.
NY Giants wide receivers (6)
Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt, Wan'Dale Robinson, Gunner Olszewski and Bryce Ford-Wheaton
This is where we were thrown off for a bit of a loop. Nabers, Slayton, Hyatt and Robinson were all locks. However, BOTH Isaiah Hodgins and Allen Robinson were cut. On top of that, we thought Miles Boykin was a lock due to his abilities on special teams - the same could be said for Isaiah McKenzie. Ford-Wheaton is here to stay, while Olszewski, battling a groin injury, is on this team as the lead returner.
NY Giants tight ends (3)
Daniel Bellinger, Theo Johnson and Chris Manhertz
Who's going to end up starting vs. the Vikings? Bellinger is first in line following the Darren Waller retirement, but keep in mind that rookie fourth-round pick Johnson got the start with the offensive starters vs. the Texans in the preseason. Manhertz is a veteran option there too. Jack Stoll and Lawrence Cager were released on cutdown day. Cager got hurt this summer, which ruined his chances of sticking around.
NY Giants offensive linemen (10)
Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., John Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten, Jermaine Eluemunor, Evan Neal, Joshua Ezeudu, Aaron Stinnie, Austin Schlottmann and Jake Kubas
Your starters will be Thomas, Runyan, Schmitz, Van Roten and Eluemunor. After the guys up front gave up 85 sacks last year, there needs to be major improvements in 2024. Neal and Ezeudu will be called on if there are any big injuries, but goodness, they did not look strong at all during the preseason finale vs. the Jets. Kubas is a great story, as he made the cut as a former UDFA.
NY Giants defensive linemen (5)
Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Elijah Chatman, DJ Davidson and Jordon Riley
Sexy Dexy is the leader of the group, but depth is still a bit of a concern. Ryder Anderson got hurt, while Jordan Phillips was traded to Dallas. Nunez-Roches is a proven veteran, but things are a bit up in the air with Davidson and Riley. Chatman did himself a huge favor over the past month with his great play. The UDFA out of SMU has quickly become a fan favorite.
NY Giants outside linebackers (5)
Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Boogie Basham and Benton Whitley
How good can Burns and Thibodeaux be together? We can't wait to find out. Behind them, Ojulari will be the first man off the bench. If he can stay healthy, Ojulari can make plenty of noise for this team. Basham is a veteran, while Whitley helped lock in his spot for Week 1 after a tremendous showing vs. the Jets. Matter of fact, he was great throughout the preseason.
NY Giants inside linebackers (5)
Bobby Okereke, Dyontae Johnson, Micah McFadden, Carter Coughlin, and Darius Muasau
Okereke is the star of the ILB group and quite frankly, he's one of the best players on defense on the roster. Injuries have been brutal for NY here, as Johnson is working his way back from an ankle injury, while McFadden was carted off with a hip injury vs. the Texans. Behind them? Coughlin and Adams will make an impact on special teams, while rookie Muasau will be looking to make a name for himself.
UPDATE: Inside 'backer Matthew Adams has been placed on short-term IR.
NY Giants cornerbacks (6)
Deonte Banks, Nick McCloud, Dru Phillips, Cor'Dale Flott, Isaiah Simmons and Tre Hawkins
This is the group for now, but don't be shocked if the Giants either put in a waiver claim or try to sign a veteran. Maybe Ahkello Witherspoon could be of interest? Banks is your CB1, but there are simply too many question marks behind him. Flott is dealing with a quad issue, while McCloud looked rough as the CB2. More moves should be on the way.
NY Giants safeties (4)
Jason Pinnock, Tyler Nubin, Gervarrius Owens and Dane Belton
UPDATE: Per Duggan, Owens actually is on the 53-man roster. He was able to confirm this news late on cutdown day. With this update dropping, Pinnock, Nubin, Owens and Belton are the safeties who will be around moving forward. There's still plenty of youth and someone is going to have to emerge as the leader of the room. Might it turn out to be 2024 second-round pick Nubin?
As we continue to wait for official word, I checked in on this. I’m told that Gervarrius Owens did make the 53 (maybe went inside for rehab?). So that means someone else from this list has to go, likely to IR. Should know soon (I thought this at 4…) https://t.co/THUbeQZTeD
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 28, 2024
NY Giants specialists (3)
Graham Gano, Jamie Gillan and Casey Kreiter
Nothing to see here, as these three have been roster locks all offseason. The hope is Gano can look like his old self after being shut down last year due to a knee injury.