NY Giants Roster Projection 3.0: How many WRs will make the final 53?
By Zak Musso
NY Giants outside linebackers
In: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Jihad Ward, Tomon Fox, Oshane Ximines
Out: Habakkuk Baldonado, Tashawn Bowser
Thibodeaux had a sack in his first preseason action Friday and dominated Neal during Monday's practice. Seth Walder, an NFL Analytics writer for ESPN, developed a sack model that projected Kayvon Thibodeaux with 6.5 sacks this year, 39th in the NFL, and Ojulari with 7.3, the 25th most.
Ximines was not included in last week's projection, but made it this week. On Friday, Ximines registered three pressures, tied with Bowser for most on the team, three hurries, most on the team, and a 57.1 pass rush win rate, the highest on the team. Bowser has had a sneaky good training camp, but is on the outside looking in.
NY Giants inside linebackers
In: Bobby Okereke, Darrian Beavers, Micah McFadden,
Out: Cam Brown, Carter Coughlin, Dyontae Johnson, Troy Brown
Okereke made his Giants debut on Friday and recorded seven tackles in 18 snaps. Okereke also wore the green dot Friday, indicating he will be the defensive signal caller. The veteran middle linebacker signed a four-year, $40 million deal this offseason. That deal was the most under-talked-about Giants deal this offseason, but it is by far the most significant addition the Giants defense made.
McFadden is ahead of Beavers for the second starting spot, but both should play a lot of snaps this fall. Brown and Coughlin are good special teamers, but defensively provide very little value. The nail in the coffin for Brown could be an injury that has kept him off the field for the last week.
Ford-Wheaton also provides value offensively and has taken a gunner spot on special teams, which could force Brown off the roster if his health does not approve rapidly. Schoen loves versatility; Coughlin and Brown don't provide any. I only have three on the projected roster now, but the Giants will look to add outside players to this group.