After three preseason games, the picture is becoming clearer. Here is our latest projection for the New York Giants' 53-man roster:
Quarterbacks (2): Eli Manning, Ryan Nassib
Nassib hasn’t played well in the preseason, but the Giants have said they aren't going to press the panic button. These are their two quarterbacks, for better or worse.
Running backs (5): Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, Andre Williams, Orleans Darkwa, Paul Perkins
Williams appears to have impressed the coaching staff enough this summer to secure his roster spot. Darkwa makes the team essentially as a special-teams player. The Giants can carry five running backs because they don't have a traditional fullback.
Tight ends (4): Larry Donnell, Will Tye, Will Johnson, Jerell Adams
Injuries have left the Giants thin at this point. This is all contingent on Johnson's being healthy. Matt LaCosse had a spot until the knee injury.
Wide receivers (6): Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, Victor Cruz, Geremy Davis, Dwayne Harris, Tavarres King
If Victor Cruz is on the roster (and he is as long as there are no additional injury setbacks), the Giants need to go heavy at wide receiver. King has earned a spot on the roster ahead of undrafted rookie Roger Lewis, who should make it to the practice squad.
Offensive line (8): Ereck Flowers, Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg, John Jerry, Marshall Newhouse, Bobby Hart, Emmett Cleary, Adam Gettis
The Giants are thin on the line. It was hard to even come up with eight offensive linemen. Don’t be surprised to see the Giants add several veteran linemen after final cuts. Right now, Cleary makes it as a backup guard/tackle, and Gettis has worked his way back into the center/guard mix after an awful preseason debut.
Defensive ends (5): Jason Pierre-Paul, Olivier Vernon, Kerry Wynn, Owa Odighizuwa, Romeo Okwara
Okwara has really made his mark the past few weeks. He’s an interesting undrafted prospect who earned a spot on the roster this summer. Several veteran offensive linemen have raved about him.
Defensive tackles (4): Damon Harrison, Johnathan Hankins, Jay Bromley, Montori Hughes
The final spot might be the biggest crapshoot. Louis Nix, Greg Milhouse, Davon Coleman and Jermelle Cudjo are all realistic options.
Linebackers (7): Devon Kennard, Jonathan Casillas, Jasper Brinkley, Keenan Robinson, Kelvin Sheppard, Mark Herzlich, B.J. Goodson
Seven might be deep, but it appears the Giants are going to utilize all kinds of packages to get by without a three-down middle linebacker. J.T. Thomas is the odd man out right now because he hasn’t played enough this summer.
Cornerbacks (5): Janoris Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Eli Apple, Leon Hall, Trevin Wade
Wade brings more to the table at this point than undrafted rookie Donte Deayon, who is a prime practice squad candidate. Wade can play inside and outside and contribute on special teams. The other four cornerbacks appear firmly entrenched in the rotation.
Safety (4): Landon Collins, Darian Thompson, Nat Berhe, Mykkele Thompson
This is all contingent on the health of Darian Thompson (shoulder) and Mykkele Thompson (concussion). The Giants seem sold on Mykkele, even though the on-field results haven’t been great. Justin Currie and Cooper Taylor get squeezed as a result. Bennett Jackson was never given a chance this summer.
Specialists (3): K Josh Brown, P Brad Wing, LS Zak DeOssie
Brown will be on a reserve list while he serves his Week 1 suspension. Look for the Giants to scour the waiver wire for a Week 1 kicker.