NY Giants post-minicamp 53-man roster predictions
By Zak Musso
NY Giants defensive line
In: Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, A’Shawn Robinson, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Jordon Riley, DJ Davidson
Out: Ryder Anderson, Kobe Smith, Vernon Butler
Schoen preached all offseason about how he need to improve the team's depth, especially along the defensive line. He did just that. ESPN’s Mike Clay recently ranked the Giants interior defensive line as the best interior defensive line in football.
Lawrence just signed a four-year, $90 million contract extension and he will anchor that group. PFF ranked Lawrence as the second-best interior defensive line in football in 2022, only trailing Chris Jones, and they had him ahead of Aaron Donald. Williams, who is in entering the final year of his contract, will form one of the league's best interior duos with Sexy Dexy.
Robinson and Nunez-Roches joined the Giants this offseason, and both excel in stopping the run. The Giants gave up the 27th most rushing yards per game last fall, so that was essential. Riley, a 2023 seventh-round pick, is a 6’5, 325 pounder. They just don’t make dudes like that. If Davidson is healthy enough to start the season, the Giants 2022 fifth-round pick will be on the roster as well.
NY Giants outside linebackers
In: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Jihad Ward, Elerson Smith
Out: Oshane Ximines, Tomon Fox, Habakkuk Baldonado
Thibodeaux and Ojulari both have the ability to become dominant NFL pass-rushers if they can stay healthy, which is a big if. Ojulari owns the Giants rookie sacks record, while Thibodeaux’s touchdown in the Giants victory over Washington essentially clinched the Giants postseason berth last campaign.
Ward is one of the most respected players in the locker room, so he will be on the roster. Smith, a 2021 fourth-round pick, has a ton of talent but has barely played due to various injuries. Remember, Smith was drafted by Gettleman, not Schoen, so the Giants could part ways with him rather painlessly.
Ximines was re-signed this offseason, but it seems hard to believe he can make the roster again. This could be a position the Giants add to on cut-down day. They can definitely find better players than Smith, Ximines, and 2022 undrafted signee Fox.
NY Giants inside linebackers
In: Bobby Okereke, Jarrad Davis, Darrian Beavers, Micah McFadden, Cam Brown
Out: Carter Coughlin, Troy Brown, Dyontae Johnson
The Giants signed Okereke to a four-year, $40 million deal this offseason. He will anchor the Giants defense and may even be the defensive signal caller. It’s unclear who will start aside him, but Davis is the favorite.
He started at linebacker for the Giants in the playoffs after joining the team late in December. Beavers was slated to start in 2022, but was one of many Giants who tore their ACLs in training camp. McFadden played a lot in 2022 as a rookie, and will push for more playing time in 2023.
It’s hard to fathom both Brown and Coughlin will be on the roster as both are strictly special teams players. Brown provides much more special teams value, so he gets the nod.