NY Giants Roster Projection 3.0: How many WRs will make the final 53?

NY Giants running backs

In: Saquon Barkley, Matt Breida, Eric Gray
Out: Jashuan Corbin, Gary Brightwell, James Robinson, Gary Brightwell

Barkley is one of the few Giants who did not participate in Friday's win. Daboll correctly sat his star back, as there is no reason to put him at risk in a meaningless game. Breida, Barkley's backup in 2022, started the second preseason game in place of Barkley, a strong indication he will be Barkley's primary backup again in 2023.

Gray got the bulk of the playing time on Friday, rushing for 16 yards on five attempts. He recorded a rushing touchdown late in the second quarter. With Brightwell sidelined due to injury, Gray has become the primary punt and kick returner. Gray displayed his kick-returning intelligence, letting a ball drop and roll out of bounds at the one for a kickoff out-of-bounds penalty. The Giants got the ball at the 40. The only knock on Gray is his pass protection, which, to put it nicely, has been suspect.

Corbin is the one to watch in the Giants backfield. He had just five yards on seven attempts Friday but has flashed his explosive abilities this summer. Robinson rushed for 1,000 yards as a rookie with Jacksonville in 2020, but does not look remotely like that player this summer.

NY Giants wide receivers

In: Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton, Parris Campbell Jr., Sterling Shepard, Wan'Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Cole Beasley, Bryce Ford-Wheaton
Out: Collin Johnson, Jamison Crowder, Kalil Pimpleton, David Sills V, Jaydon Mickens

There is only one significant change in this group from last week's projection: the inclusion of Ford-Wheaton. Joe Schoen joined Bob Papa and Carl Banks in the booth during the third quarter on Friday and unpromptedly spoke glowingly of the undrafted rookie.

"Bryce Ford-Wheaton is a young guy that's done a good job on special teams tonight as a gunner. You know that's an important part of it, you have 53 on the roster, and when you go to your game day, it's important what you can do on fourth down as well."

- Joe Schoen

Schoen craves the West Virginia's product versatility, which could be why he makes the roster. Eight seems like a lot of wide receivers, but it makes sense. Beasley was Big Blue's leading wideout in the preseason opener, but suffered a leg injury a week ago. His timetable to return is unknown, which could put him on the wrong side of the bubble or the PUP list.

Hodgins and Campbell, two of the Giants starting wideouts, combined for five catches and 68 yards in limited time on Friday. Hyatt was one of the game's stars, creating massive separation and hauling in a deep touchdown from Taylor.