The New York Giants are heading into the preseason finale, and the decisions regarding roster cuts are not getting any easier.
Between injuries and a handful of massive competitions throughout the roster, there's no clear picture at what the back end of the depth chart looks like. The preseason finale against the New York Jets will go a long way in determining those last spots.
A few undrafted rookies are making a push for roster spots while some veterans find themselves in trouble of losing either a significant role or a spot on the 53-man roster altogether.
We took a crack at projecting the roster following the preseason opener. Now, it's time to do so again after the brutal 28-10 loss against the Houston Texans .
Rookies are marked in italics.
New York Giants' 53-man roster projection
Quarterback (3)
In: Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito
The Giants don't really have a choice but to keep all three quarterbacks right now. Jones looked incredibly rusty in his preseason debut, and Lock is dealing with a hip injury. They can't afford to lose DeVito to waivers.
Running Back (3)
In: Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy Jr. , Eric Gray
Out: Joshua Kelley, Lorenzo Lingard, Dante Miller
The big question here is whether Miller will make the cut. He certainly has played his way into serious consideration, but it ultimately becomes a numbers game with depth needed elsewhere. The Giants might be okay with risking Miller on the waiver wire to bring him back to the practice squad, but it's a risk nonetheless.
Wide Receiver (6)
In: Malik Nabers , Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Miles Boykin, Isaiah McKenzie
Out: Isaiah Hodgins, Gunner Olszewski, John Jiles, Allen Robinson, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Dennis Houston, Ayir Asante
The top four on the depth chart are pretty safe, and they'll take all the wide receiver snaps. Boykin offers special teams value as a gunner while McKenzie makes the cut thanks to the groin injury to Gunner Olszewski, which could leave him missing a month of time.
Tight End (4)
In: Theo Johnson , Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz, Jakob Johnson
Out: Jack Stoll, Lawrence Cager
The Giants are going to rely heavily on Johnson because they don't have much choice. Bellinger has been working more as an H-back while Manhertz is solely a blocker. Johnson makes the cut here as the fullback to provide help in the run game. Cager is a candidate to start the season on one of the reserve lists.
Offensive Line (9)
In: LT Andrew Thomas, LG Jon Runyan Jr., C John Michael Schmitz, RG Greg Van Roten, RT Jermaine Eluemunor, Evan Neal, Aaron Stinnie, Joshua Ezeudu, Jake Kubas
Out: Matt Nelson, Marcus McKethan, Austin Schlottman, Jimmy Morrissey, Yodny Cajuste, Marcellus Johnson , Jalen Mayfield, Joshua Miles
Neal and Ezeudu are likely the swing tackles. The big question is whether they keep 10 offensive linemen in order to have depth behind Schmitz, who's working his way back from a shoulder injury. If they do, Schlottman would be the addition.
Defensive Line (9)
In: Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Jordon Riley, Ryder Anderson, Boogie Basham, Elijah Chatman
Out: D.J. Davidson, Timmy Horne, Casey Rogers , Ovie Oghoufo , Tomon Fox, Benton Whitley
The hamstring injury to Anderson is a big deal and could impact how the Giants construct this room to begin the season. If he starts the season on one of the reserve lists, the Giants could look to add a veteran for depth purposes. The picture became a bit more clear after the Jordan Phillips trade, and Chatman makes the roster here after his stellar preseason.
Linebacker (5)
In: Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Dyontae Johnson, Darius Muasau , Matthew Adams
Out: Darrian Beavers, Carter Coughlin, K.J. Cloyd
There aren't many question marks here outside of some injuries to McFadden and Johnson. That could muddy the picture a bit if those injuries linger beyond the preseason finale.
Cornerback (6)
In: Deonte Banks, Cor'Dale Flott, Andru Phillips , Nick McCloud, Alex Johnson , Tre Hawkins III
Out: Darnay Holmes, Breon Borders, Tre Herndon, David Long Jr., Christian Holmes
The No. 2 cornerback spot is unsettled as McCloud may now be the starter due to Flott's quad injury and struggles at camp. UDFA Johnson makes the cut as nickel depth, but it's no guarantee he will make the roster. Herndon is also right there for that spot if the Giants keep six cornerbacks.
Safety (5)
In: Jason Pinnock, Tyler Nubin , Dane Belton, Isaiah Simmons, Gervarrius Owens
Out: Raheem Layne, Jonathan Sutherland
The top of the room is essentially settled with Pinnock, Nubin and Belton. Simmons is currently being experimented with as a big slot defender. Owens has played his way onto the roster, but a knee injury has kept him off the field since the preseason opener.
Specialists (3)
In: Graham Gano, Casey Kreiter, Jamie Gillan
Out: Jude McAtemny
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