NY Giants 53-man roster predictions with the preseason on the horizon
By Zak Musso
NY Giants running backs
In: Saquon Barkley, Matt Breida, Eric Gray
Out: James Robinson, Gary Brightwell, Jashuan Corbin
Saquon Barkley is back for his sixth season in New York. He will look to build upon a 2022 campaign in which he set career-highs in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing first downs. Barkley has $909,000 in incentives available in 2023. To earn that money, the Giants running back needs to set career highs in every nearly every offensive category and the Giants need to make the playoffs.
None of the other backs have been camp standouts, though we have seen Matt Breida in two running back sets with Barkley, an indication that Breida is the leader in the backup running back competition. Eric Gray, a rookie fifth-round pick, should still get meaningful snaps this preseason and he'll be getting extra work in as a returner.
Three teams have parted ways with James Robinson in the past three years, an insight into how he is valued by the league. Gary Brightwell could make the team again if Big Blue opts to carry four running backs, especially since he provides special teams value.
NY Giants wide receivers
In: Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Parris Campbell Jr., Cole Beasley, Collin Johnson
Out: Jamison Crowder, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Kalil Pimpleton, David Sills V, Jaydon Mickens
Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton and Campbell are the Giants projected Week 1 starters at wide receiver. Jalin Hyatt has been turning heads at camp with his blazing speed, and could become a key contributor early in the season.
Sterling Shepard, one of the leaders of the Giants, is back from another ACL injury, and looked strong early in camp. Despite buzz he could be cut this spring, it appears the longest tenured Giant and favorite target of Jones will be on the field for New York in 2023.
Wan'Dale Robinson is still on the PUP list recovering from an ACL tear last fall. Joe Schoen announced on the Zach Gelb Show Monday that he'd be activated in the next week or two, to the suprise of many. That statement by Schoen indicates he'll be full go for Week 1. That could spell bad news for either Cole Beasley or Jamison Crowder.
Collin Johnson continues to make highlight reel catches in camp, and should force his way onto the roster with another massive preseason. Eight wide receivers on the roster seems like a lot, but with the slew of recent injuries to Giant wideouts, eight might be neccessary.