4 NY Giants veterans who could get cut with the NFL Draft wrapped up

Now that the 2023 NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror, we are starting to get a clearer picture of what the NY Giants roster and depth chart could look like entering the season. While some players have their roster spots guaranteed, others aren't so lucky.

Not only do the Giants need to clear up cap space in order to sign their rookie class, but when the time comes for them to make their final roster cuts, some veterans who have been with the team for quite some time could be let go in order to make space. These four veterans could be looking for new homes before Week 1 arrives:

4. WR Sterling Shepard

This would bring a tear to our eyes, but the fact of the matter is that football is a business, and with all the WR acquisitions made by Joe Schoen through both the draft and free agency, there is a pretty solid chance that Sterling Shepard is let go of before the season starts.

While Shepard likely could still be a productive player, releasing him would save the Giants around $1 million in cap space. Considering that the Giants need around $2.5 million to sign their rookie class, Shepard could be one of the first out the door unfortunately.

Everyone knows how good of a player Shepard is, however, he has suffered two devastating lower-body injuries in the last two seasons. Not only is it questionable whether or not he'll be healthy by the time the season starts, but his level of play likely won't be the same as it was in years past. In addition to this, the addition of rookies like Jalin Hyatt and Bryce Ford-Wheaton could push Shepard even further down the depth chart.

Shepard will almost undoubtedly be productive for another team if he is released. While it would be heartbreaking to see such a great human being leave New York, Shepard may, unfortunately, become a cap casualty before we know it.

3. WR Jamison Crowder

Jamison Crowder may not be a long-time Giant like some of the others on this list, but the odds of him being released are just as high. While he could serve purpose as a kick returner, the Giants have other, more exciting talents on their roster who could take up that role.

Releasing Crowder would save the Giants around $960,000, while this isn't much money, it will go a long way in helping free space to sign the team's incoming rookie class. There is simply too much talent on this current Giants receiving core to justify giving Crowder a heavy amount of snaps, so releasing him may be in the team's best interests.

While he may have connections with Schoen, Crowder hasn't had a 500+ receiving yard season since 2020. Obviously, Crowder still has talent and could be productive, but not enough to justify playing him over really any of the current receivers on the Giants.

It would suck to bring Crowder in just to release him before the season even starts, but in all honesty, there were many doubts that he'd stick around from the start. Combining that with the recent WR acquisitions, there's just no way Crowder sticks around.

2. LB Jarrad Davis

After an incredible performance in the NY Giants regular-season finale against the Eagles, it seemed like Jarrad Davis was here to stay. However, Davis played pretty poorly during the playoffs, but the Giants re-signed him anyways.

Despite this, we still believe that there is a chance that Davis isn't on the roster entering the regular season. While he would provide a solid veteran presence, another breakout preseason from second-year LB Darrian Beavers could push Davis out of the rotation and off the team.

The Giants already have their elite run-stopper in Bobby Okereke, so pairing a coverage specialist like Beavers alongside him may be in the team's best interest. While Davis would more likely than not be brought back onto the practice squad in case Beavers gets hurt again, he likely won't be on the main roster by the team the 2023 season starts.

Even aside from Beavers, a hungry rookie like Micah McFadden could have himself a breakout season after a relatively poor rookie year. Obviously, asking a lot out of these late-round, second-year players is a lot, but each of them showed flashes to the point where they very well could be trusted over Davis in a key role.

1. OG Shane Lemieux

While Shane Lemieux may have had some potential entering the league, he has played just two games in the last two seasons and is entering the final year of his contract. Considering that the Giants drafted Josh Ezeudu in the third round last season and improved IOL depth, there's a very real chance that Lemieux is released before the start of the season.

Injuries suck, obviously, but even when Lemieux has been on the field in recent seasons he has played pretty poorly. For example, in the one game we saw out of Lemieux in 2022, he allowed five pressures and a sack in just 24 pass-blocking snaps.

Releasing Lemieux would save New York around $923,000 in cap space. Again, not much, but it would certainly help in signing the incoming rookie class. Perhaps if Lemieux had played better in the times we've seen him, it would be easier to root for his return, but he really simply hasn't shown much at all since being drafted.

Simply put, players like Ezeudu, Ben Bredeson, and arguably Marcus McKethan as well, all have more potential than Lemieux at this point and honestly, deserve more snaps. Maybe Lemieux can prove us all wrong, but there is simply too much going against him right now to justify keeping him around over some of the younger players on the squad.

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