Projecting NY Giants’ 53-man roster entering final week of preseason

John Harbaugh is not thinking solely about tomorrow. Or the next day

Just about everything his New York Giants do on the practice fields and in the meeting rooms, initially at The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia and home for training camp, has had a singular focus: being ready for the Dallas Cowboys in their Week 1 “Sunday Night Football” showdown.

The offseason program was not necessarily about competition, more so technique and assignments.

Training camp is about getting ready for the real thing to the slightest detail in preparation and performance.

And for the Giants, their two days against the Miami Dolphins this week – initially in Thursday’s joint practice, then in Saturday’s 26-3 preseason victory – hammered that home emphatically.

“We’re chasing execution,” Harbaugh said. “We’re chasing execution. We’re at a stage now, we’re getting ready for the games. I mean, that’s what practice is for. We’re not here to practice. It’s not a training camp exercise. We’re here to prepare for the games that we’re going to play. What plays we call, how we practice, all those things. We’re not just running plays out here to run plays.”

1/ 21

Giants return home to New Jersey for training camp. See the photos

2/ 21

3/ 21

4/ 21

5/ 21

6/ 21

7/ 21

8/ 21

9/ 21

10/ 21

11/ 21

12/ 21

13/ 21

14/ 21

15/ 21

16/ 21

17/ 21

18/ 21

19/ 21

20/ 21

21/ 21

Here is our third 53-man projection of the summer and notes on the depth chart with insight about where the roster stands coming out of the Giants’ preseason domination of the Dolphins and in advance of Friday’s preseason finale against the Jets:

New York Giants roster projection

OFFENSE (26)

Quarterbacks (2)

• What we have seen: Dart and Winston together form one of the league’s most underrated QB tandems, given Dart’s ceiling and Winston’s fit as his mentor and team leader. Winston showed his value Saturday by completing 15-of-21 for 150 yards with a touchdown run in the first half. Neither Brandon Allen nor newcomer Jake Haener would appear to be positioned well enough to force the Giants to keep a third QB on the active roster.

Running backs (4)

• Backups:Najee Harris, Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary

• What we have seen: Skattebo is going to be the lead back and his receiving skills are underrated. The presence of Harris shakes things up in what now looks to be a crowded room, even with Turbo Miller on injured reserve after being waived with an injury designation. He’s not believed to be here as just a camp body with 1,000-yard seasons in four of his five years. Tracy is in a weird position after very public mishaps in back-to-back preseason games (failed blitz pick-up, now a fumble), but whether those two instances will put him on the bubble or on the trade market remains to be seen. Singletary, a vested veteran, could stick on the practice squad if this becomes a numbers’ game. He has had a quietly solid summer and has played well in the preseason games. Keep an eye on this room.

Wide receiver (7)

• Starters:Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Malachi Fields

• Backups:Calvin Austin, Darnell Mooney, Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios

• What we have seen: This group is still somewhat of a mystery. Feels like Beckham deserves a spot and he’s gone out and done everything the Giants asked. Keeping seven is going to be a challenge, though, but until we get some clarity regarding possible movement, I’m going to stick with this group. Will there be trade interest in Slayton, Austin, Mooney or Berrios? That’s not a given, but certainly feasible. Berrios is a potential weapon as a returner. Austin feels like the best slot receiver besides Nabers if he goes in there. Dalen Cambre has value, but he might have to develop more as a receiver on the practice squad while serving as a special teams call-up. A lot still to be determined here.

Tight ends (4)

• Starters:Isaiah Likely, Theo Johnson, Patrick Ricard (FB)

• What we have seen: Likely is Dart’s favorite target. Johnson has a chance to put it all together, but he’s going to have to earn chances and force the Giants to trust him in all situations. Ricard works out of this position group and his presence will help set the tone in the run game. Manhertz is a pro’s pro with his strength as an in-line run blocker.

Offensive line (9)

• Starters:Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan, John Michael Schmitz, Sisi Mauigoa, Jermaine Eluemunor

• Backups:Marcus Mbow, Aaron Stinnie, Bryan Hudson, J.C. Davis

• What we have seen: The alignment of the starting OL has not changed since Mauigoa was drafted 10th overall and penciled into the right guard spot. Cutting Runyan would result in the addition of $9 million in salary cap space, but he has had a very solid summer. Mbow is the swing tackle and he’ll seek to build on a solid rookie year in relatively limited duty. Hudson ran with the first team when JMS was out with a concussion and Lucas Patrick was dealing with a balky knee. What will the Giants do for backup center between those two? Josh Ezeudu just misses the cut simply because his injury status is up in the air after getting rolled up on late in Saturday’s game. A 10th lineman could squeeze the RB or WR room.

More NY Giants:Best sights, sounds and quotes from Giants’ 2026 training camp

DEFENSE (24)

Defensive line (6)

• Starters: D.J. Reader, Shelby Harris, Chauncey Golston

• Backups:Darius Alexander, Bobby Jamison-Travis, Leki Fotu

• What we have seen:This is going to be the priority of the personnel department and coaching staff over the next two weeks. We’re including Golston here because he has flashed at 5-technique. Could he legit hold up as a starter in the base run defense? That’s a tough ask. I think the Giants will be looking for depth at this position. There are questions about Alexander against the run that have emerged, so until he firms up there, the Giants have more work to do. The waiver wire and/or trade market should factor here.

Outside linebacker (4)

• Starters:Brian Burns, Abdul Carter

• Backups:Kayvon Thibodeaux, Caleb Murphy

• What we have seen: Burns, Carter and Thibodeaux are locked in. Murphy is a sleeper and he has value on special teams as well. He’s flashed in both preseason games, and if Golston fits in the DL room, we’ll keep him on the roster here.

Inside linebacker (5)

• Starters:Tremaine Edmunds, Arvell Reese

• Backups:Micah McFadden, Jack Kelly, Zaire Barnes

• What we have seen: I like what I have seen from Barnes, and I think he can beat out Darius Muasau as a core special teamer. Harbaugh considers Edmunds, Reese and McFadden all starters, but if healthy, Edmunds and Reese will get all the snaps here, as they should. Kelly should also be a special teams stalwart.

Cornerback (5)

• Starters:Paulson Adebo, Greg Newsome

• Backups:Colton Hood, Dru Phillips, Tae Banks

• What we have seen: Who starts against the Cowboys? Man, that’s a tough question. Adebo has picked it up in practice this week, while Newsome and Banks played well in the preseason game Saturday. The Giants could look for more help here, and Art Green could challenge for a spot due to special teams. This position feels nearly as unsettled as the defensive line group.

Safety (4)

• Starters:Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin

• Backups:Ar’Darius Washington, Jason Pinnock

• What we have seen: Washington should be a factor with Holland and Nubin because of his value at nickel, just as Phillips is. Pinnock is a versatile player who will have no issue with playing a key role on special teams.

Specialists (3)

• Jordan Stout (punter), Dominic Zvada (kicker), Ben Mann (long snapper)

• What we have seen: I have the rookie Zvada for the summer 65-for-69 with his first two field goals in his first game Saturday. He continues to pass every test and is poised to edge Ben Sauls, who could land on the practice squad.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com:Projecting NY Giants’ 53-man roster entering final week of preseason

Source: sports.yahoo.com