NY Giants post-minicamp 53-man roster predictions
By Zak Musso
NY Giants running backs
In: Saquon Barkley, Eric Gray, Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell
Out: Jashaun Corbin
The Giants gave Barkley the franchise tag this offseason, which is essentially a one-year, $10.1 million contract. Barkley has yet to sign that tag, and has until July 17 to sign a long-term extension with the team. The two sides are reportedly negotiating again, which is good news, since No. 26 is so important to Mike Kafka’s offense. Barkley posted a career-high 1,312 yards on a career-high 295 attempts in 2022.
Breida had a solid season in 2022 backing up Barkley, prompting the Giants to re-sign him to another one-year contract. He will get pushed by 2023 fifth-round pick Gray for the backup role. Gray is a bruising running back who ran for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022 at the University of Oklahoma.
Brightwell has been a Giant since 2020, but he was not drafted by this current regime. Still due to his experience, and with us picking the Giants to rock with four RBs this season, we think Brightwell will make the team over Corbin, who could once again make his way to the practice squad.
NY Giants wide receivers
In: Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Parris Campbell Jr., Jamison Crowder
Out: Collin Johnson, Jeff Smith, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Kalil Pimpleton, David Sills V, Makai Polk, Jaydon Mickens
The Giants do not have a true WR1, but Big Blue has an immensely deep wide receivers room. Hodgins, Slayton, rookie Hyatt, and offseason signee Campbell Jr. are locks to make this roster. Shepard and Robinson are both coming of ACL tears, and when they are ready, both will be on the roster. Crowder, a well-traveled veteran, will likely make the team as an insurance policy for Robinson and Shepard in the slot.
Johnson got first-team reps last summer before tearing his Achilles. This group is very crowded, which is why Johnson may be left out. Ford-Wheaton may join DeVito and Corbin on the practice squad, but with his potential, we wouldn't be surprised to see him be elevated at some point early on in the fall.