Breaking down roster battle ahead of last dress rehearsal
The focus for Giants fans, naturally, by now is on Week 1. Pat Shurmur said Tuesday he has “no doubt” Odell Beckham Jr., fresh off signing a new contract, will be ready for Jacksonville on Sept. 9 despite sitting out the entire preseason.
But Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Patriots at MetLife Stadium is the biggest night of the summer for many players still vying to make the 53-man roster.
Here is where the Giants stand at each position:
Quarterback
Barring an injury to Eli Manning, Thursday is the last fans will see of Davis Webb in 2018. He’s cemented himself as the backup with a solid summer.
Fourth-round pick Kyle Lauletta will likely be the No. 3 quarterback but be inactive on game days. Journeyman Alex Tanney is the odd man out.
Running Back
Saquon Barkley was a full participant in practice this week after suffering a hamstring strain on Aug. 13. The Giants have been cautious with their No. 2 overall pick, who will see upwards of 300 touches this season if all goes as planned.
Second-year pro Wayne Gallman has garnered first-team reps and is the most dynamic secondary back. Jonathan Stewart has rushed for negative yardage in the preseason, but logistically it makes little sense to cut the 31-year-old veteran because the Giants would save only $725,000 off his $3.925 million cap hit.
Shane Smith should make the cut as the lone fullback. Robert Martin and Jalen Simmons are practice squad candidates. Jhurell Pressley, signed last week as a reinforcement, is a long shot to stay in New York.
Wide Receiver
Beckham, Sterling Shepard, Cody Latimer, Russell Shepard and Hunter Sharp are safe bets to make the final 53.
Latimer has impressed as the Giants’ third receiver, and Russell Shepard is a veteran who holds value on special teams.
Sharp might need a mistake-free outing Thursday to secure the return man job over Kalif Raymond. Despite some ball security issues, Sharp had a punt return touchdown last week and continues to receive Shurmur’s public endorsement.
Tight End
Shurmur’s offense often features two-tight end sets, so expect the team to carry four at the position.
Evan Engram, who led the team in receptions as a rookie, leads the pack. Rhett Ellison is the steady blocker and sure-handed receiver, and Jerell Adams is the versatile backup.
Scott Simonson, who played under Dave Gettleman in Carolina the last three seasons, is likely the insurance policy. He will receive plenty of playing time Thursday to state his case.
Offensive Line
Shurmur wouldn’t rule out the possibility of giving the starting offensive line some snaps Thursday, as the Giants’ running game has been sluggish.
The starting five is locked in, though: left tackle Nate Solder, left guard Will Hernandez, center Jon Halapio, right guard Patrick Omameh and right tackle Ereck Flowers.
This week’s trade of Brett Jones to Minnesota for a 2019 seventh-round pick has opened the door for another backup to make the roster.
John Greco, a quality veteran backup at guard and center, has the safest odds. Chad Wheeler has been the team’s primary backup tackle.
John Jerry has started 32 games the last two years and likely survives, though the Giants would save $1.075 million off the cap if they cut him. Nick Becton and Chris Scott are the top options for a ninth offensive line spot.
Defensive Line
The hunch is the Giants will keep six defensive linemen not counting Josh Mauro, who is on a reserve list for the first four weeks serving a PED suspension.
Dalvin Tomlinson and B.J. Hill are the starting defensive ends in the 3-4 base defense. Nose tackle Damon Harrison, one of the best run stoppers in the NFL, is set to clog the interior.
Robert Thomas will serve as Harrison’s primary backup. Kerry Wynn has starred in the preseason, making plays with the first-team nickel defense including a sack on the first series against Detroit.
A.J. Francis has also had a strong summer, but his spot could be in danger when Mauro returns.
Linebacker
Olivier Vernon, Alec Ogletree, B.J. Goodson and Kareem Martin are the starters.
If the Giants opt for nine linebackers, the last spot could come down to Mark Herzlich or Romeo Okwara.
Herzlich is the franchise’s third-longest tenured player, but he hasn’t been a starter on any special teams unit this summer, and Okwara was bumped up to the firstteam defense after Vernon suffered an injury at Sunday’s practice.
Barring lingering knee issues, Connor Barwin has a role as a proven pass rusher. Ray-Ray Armstrong has established himself as a key piece in sub packages and on special teams.
Third-round rookie Lorenzo Carter is developing on the edge. Tae Davis has emerged as a core special teams piece.
Secondary
The depth is more uncertain at cornerback and safety than anywhere else.
B.W. Webb has emerged as the top slot corner between starters Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple. Donte Deayon missed three weeks with injury, but no one else has stepped up with the second unit and he’s shown a knack for making plays on the interior. Chris Lewis-Harris, consistently a secondteamer, is the favorite to grab another backup spot.
All-Pro strong safety Landon Collins is set to line up next to Curtis Riley, who played sparingly his first two seasons in Tennessee but has carved a starting role with the Giants at free safety.
William Gay has had an underwhelming summer, but the 33-year-old is a veteran leader who can play both safety and corner.
Darian Thompson or Andrew Adams could find themselves on the chopping block. Thompson was in the running to start again at free safety, but he’s missed several practices with a hamstring injury.
Specialists
Aldrick Rosas has only strengthened his grip on the placekicker job with a 6-for-6 mark on field goals in the preseason so far. Punter Riley Dixon has drilled seven of 18 punts inside the 20 with a long of 62 yards.
Zak DeOssie will be the long snapper for the 12th straight year.