Malik Nabers Highlights: Watch the New York Giants rookie’s training camp video
NY Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers has been one of the most talked about players in the NFL this summer. Check out some of his best performances from camp here.
The pressure is great.
The final cuts are coming and as Yogi Berra would say, it is already too late to fight for a spot on the New York Giants.
There are safe players. There are players who just hope to stay somewhere in the league.
Then there are those on the fence, which is directly impacted by performance, contract and health — and maybe not in that order. Here’s my best guess at what the competition for spots and the 53-man roster will look like heading into the final week of the preseason — including a joint practice on Wednesday and the final exhibition game on Saturday against the Jets — with the league-mandated reduction to 53 set for Aug. 27.
Quarterbacks (3)
On the list: Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito
This is the quarterback group barring injuries. Lock will be QB2 and DeVito will be QB3. Having DeVito primed for this system is too valuable to keep only two quarterbacks.
In: Jones, Lock, DeVito
Changes from last week’s forecast: None
Running backs (4)
On the list: Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy, Eric Gray, Dante Miller, Joshua Kelley, Lorenzo Lingard
I’m torn. Singletary, Tracy and Gray are in. Miller deserves consideration, but Kelley is on board and it’s hard to argue with his resume. I’m sticking with Turbo here, although I think there’s a chance – if they end up liking what Kelley is giving them this week – that they could release both and sign them both to the practice squad. Miller doesn’t have much experience, so he may not be as big a risk as initially thought.
In: Singletary, Tracy, Gray, Miller
Changes since last week: None
Wide Receivers (6)
On the list: Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Allen Robinson, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Gunner Olszewski, Ayir Asante, Miles Boykin, Dennis Houston, John Jiles, Isaiah McKenzie
Nabers, Wan’Dale, Hyatt and Slayton are set. That only changes if another team comes calling with a Godfather offer for Slayton. Boykin is basically a special teams only player and I’m not sure of his value. Olszewski’s groin injury will keep him out of action, which opens up a huge path to the 53 for McKenzie, who was already a frontrunner.
In: Nabers, W. Robinson, Hyatt, Slayton, McKenzie and Boykin
Changes since last week: Boykin in, Olszewski out
Tight Ends (4)
On the list: Daniel Bellinger, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz, Lawrence Cager, Jack Stoll, Jakob Johnson
Theo Johnson and Manhertz put pressure on Bellinger in terms of playing time and usage. So signing Jakob Johnson, who is a true fullback, puts pressure on Bellinger as well. I think the Giants will like the idea of having Jakob in their ranks given his connection to Carm Bricillo. Jakob has also been a key special teamer in his career, so keep an eye on him. Another injury to Cager really hurts his chances.
In: Bellinger, Theo Johnson, Manhertz, Jakob Johnson
Changes since last week: Jacob Johnson in
Offensive Line (10)
On the list: (T) Andrew Thomas, Jermaine Eluemunor, Evan Neal, Matt Nelson, Joshua Miles, Yodny Cajuste, Marcellus Johnson, (G/T) Joshua Ezeudu, (C) John Michael Schmitz, Jimmy Morrissey, Austin Schlottmann, (G) Jon Runyan , Greg Van Roten, Aaron Stinnie, Jake Kubas, Jalen Mayfield, Marcus McKethan
The real battle is whether this unit can avoid injuries. Ezeudu and Neal are likely competing for the swing tackle position right now.
In: LT Thomas, LG Runyan, C Schmitz, RG Van Roten, RT Eluemunor, Stinnie, Neal, Kubas, Schlottmann, Ezeudu
Changes since last week: None
Defensive line (4)
On the list: Dexter Lawrence, Ryder Anderson, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Jordon Riley, DJ Davidson, Casey Rogers, Elijah Chatman, Timmy Horne
Anderson’s hamstring injury is concerning as he’s been running with the starters since the start. It’s tough to keep only four and ultimately I think they’ll go with five, but right now I can’t decide who that will be. Riley is best suited as a backup NG to Lawrence, who will play a ton of snaps. Chatman earned a spot as a rookie camp tryout. He fits best in pass rush situations when lining up alongside Lawrence. I need to see more from Davidson this week and those two penalties hurt him on Saturday. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Giants use the waiver wire at that position.
In: Lawrence, Nunez Roches, Riley and Chatman
Changes since last week: Chatman in, Anderson out (possible scenario for IR designation to return at cutdown)
Full-back (4)
On the list: Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Boogie Basham, Tomon Fox, Ovie Oghoufo, Benton Whitley
Burns and Thibodeaux are unlikely to leave the field. I’m not sure there’s anyone on the roster that could challenge Ojulari and Basham, but depending on the options, there could be a waiver claim.
In: Burns, Thibodeaux, Ojulari, Basham
Changes since last week: None
Centre-back (5)
On the list: Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Carter Coughlin, Darius Muasau, Darrian Beavers, Dyontae Johnson, Matthew Adams, KJ Cloyd
Dyontae Johnson is missing out on a real chance to cement his spot with his ankle injury keeping him out of action, especially with Micah McFadden now dealing with a hip injury as well. Muasau had some good snaps against the Texans. Coughlin (quadriceps) is not back on the field yet, but could return this week and get a big opportunity. Adams was injured against the Texans and his status is still undetermined. There could be a lot of changes at that position in the next week or so.
In: Okereke, McFadden, Johnson, Muasau, Adams
Changes since last week: None
Cornerbacks (5)
On the list: Tae Banks, Cor’Dale Flott, Dru Phillips, Nick McCloud, Tre Hawkins III, Tre Herndon, Darnay Holmes, Alex Johnson, David Long, Mario Goodrich, Christian Holmes
I think McCloud is a step ahead of Flott for the CB2 spot right now, and as long as Flott is out with a quad, he can still widen the gap between them. Phillips (ankle) is the best option at nickel. The Giants really need him. Herndon and Johnson could compete for a spot here.
In: Banks, Flott, Phillips, McCloud, Hawkins
Changes since last week: None
Fuses (5)
On the list: Jason Pinnock, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton, Isaiah Simmons, Gervarrius Owens, Raheem Layne, Jonathan Sutherland
Nubin is trying to take the starting spot from Belton. Simmons didn’t have a good night in the slot against the Texans. Could Layne and/or Sutherland put pressure on Owens, who is out with a knee injury?
In: Pinnock, Nubin, Belton, Simmons, Owens
Changes since last week: None
Specialists (3)
On the list: (K) Graham Gano, (P) Jamie Gillan, (LS) Casey Kreiter, (K) Jude McAtamney
With the new kickoff rules, Gano will be under more pressure to participate in tackles and provide a true last line of defense. Do the Giants want to risk their prized kicker getting hurt? Teams that can find someone else to take the kickoff could gain an unexpected advantage.
In: Gano, Gillan, Kreiter
Changes since last week: None
