Big Blue View
New York Giants players and coaches have scattered for their summer vacations now that offseason work complete. With that in mind, let’s take a whirl at a sure-to-be-wrong post-minicamp 53-man roster projection.
Quarterback (2) — Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston
Out: Brandon Allen
The Giants can keep Allen or another journeyman quarterback on the practice squad in the event of an injury. They could keep a third quarterback on the roster and designate him the inactive “emergency” quarterback each week, but right now I think they can find a better use for that roster spot.
Running back (4) — Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary, Patrick Ricard
Out: Damon Bankston, Eric Gray, Dante Miller
Miller was on the Giants’ practice squad the past two seasons. He has played ONE offensive snap in that time. He hasn’t carried a football in a game that counted since getting six carries for 38 yards for South Carolina in 2022. Yet, because he can run fast, there are still fans clamoring for ‘Turbo’ time.
Brian Daboll never trusted Miller enough to play him over the ball security-challenged Eric Gray. If Daboll didn’t trust Miller, what makes anyone believe that an old-school coach like John Harbaugh will? I don’t see Miller cracking the roster. He is now a 27-year-old who has never carried the ball in an NFL game.
If an additional back makes the roster, it might be 23-year-old undrafted free agent Damon Bankston. Bankston had 1,032 yards from scrimmage and averaged 36.2 yards on 12 kickoff returns last season for New Mexico. Honestly, if the choice is between Miller and Bankston, why wouldn’t you take the player who is four years younger and has a longer development arc?
Tight end (3) — Isaiah Likely, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz
Out: Thomas Fidone, Tanner Conner
Fidone missed spring practices and recently had a “clean-up” procedure on the foot injury that landed him on IR last season. The fact that Fidone needed that procedure this late is not a good sign, although he should be ready for training camp.
Wide receiver (7) — Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton, Calvin Austin, Malachi Fields, Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster, Braxton Berrios
PUP: Malik Nabers
Out: Dalen Cambre, Beaux Collins, Xavier Gipson, Isaiah Hodgins, Jalin Hyatt, Ryan Miller
This one is difficult to call. I will believe Nabers will be ready Week 1 when I see him practicing full speed around the middle of training camp. Otherwise, I think he starts the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. That is where I have him in this projection.
I am going with all three receivers the Giants recently signed, including Odell Beckham Jr., in this projection. Injury or poor performance in training camp could change that, but I will stay with the proven veterans.
Which guys have the best chance to break through? I suspect that would Cambre or Miller, because both are valuable special teams players.
Offensive line (9) — Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., John...
