Giants Final Roster Projection

Giants Roster Projection: Pre-Preseason Game 1

It's an interesting ordeal, trying to cut guys off of OTA and training camp tweets, but hey, I promised, and I shall deliver. 

** The guys in italics are the guys I'm torn on. 

QB: 

Stay: Eli, GENO, Webb

Out: Johnson

To be honest, it can go either way with Johnson and Geno, these preseason games will give them both the chance to prove their worth. Geno off a torn ACL, in a new offense. Johnson has the leg up, being in the system already. I'm taking a risk here and going Geno. 

RB: 

Stay: Perkins, Darkwa, Vereen, Gallman 

Out: Draughn, Abdullah

I've said it before on twitter, I don't think Vereen is a 100% lock to make this team. took a pay cut to stay on, if some depth guys at other spots impress, do you take the risk and cut them for a 3rd down RB? Perkins has had some drops in camp, so I'm not comfortable with him there. Vereen is a vet at the position, and a mismatch, so I'll keep him there for now. Gallman as a 4th rd pick can't get cut (hopefully) but really, we'll see. A guy like Abdullah could go crazy in the preseason games. #FreeDarkwa of course. 

WR: 

Stay: Odell, Shep, Marshall, Harris, Powe, King

Out: Rudolph, Lewis Jr., Lane, Snead, Johnson, Norwood

King proved his worth last preseason and then was rarely used. Hope is they figure out a way. Powe, I thought had a chance to make it last year but Lewis got the nod. Now Powe, my #DontSleep candidate, is having an insane camp, he's gotta ball out in the games. I think it gets interesting with Harris, another guy that took a pay cut to stay on. What if Rudolph goes crazy as a returner in these preseason games? We know he's been taking PR snaps in camp. Doubtful, but pay attention.

TE: 

Stay: Ellison, Engram, LaCosse

Out: Tye, Adams

One of the bigger surprises in my projection. LaCosse over Adams. Adams a 6th round TE that has looked decent, but didn't make much of an impact his rookie year. LaCosse had a strong camp last year, and now doing well again, just has to stay healthy. It comes to the guys that can contribute more on specials vs Adams really. That, and I have a fullback making the team even with Ellison's ability to play the position.

FB:

Stay: Smith

Out: Huesman

Huesman converted QB still learning the position, emergency long snapper, joined late last season on the practice squad. UDFA Shane Smith is a monster. 36 reps at 225 during his pro day would've been best at the combine. His 10'6" broad and 37" vert (0.5" less than McCaffrey) would have put him 4th among RBs in each of those tests. Smith started out as a LB at San Jose State, redshirted, switched to FB, was the primary FB the next 4 years. McAdoo while talking about Smith on Tuesday, "very physical, heavy-handed type player" and then “showed his good hands today and did a nice job” ... exactly the kinda quotes you want from your coach. Special teams work could lock him in. Here's a video of Smith laying the wood to Casillas in the hole, sounds sooo good (@DDuggan21 w/the vid).

OL:

Stay: LT Flowers (sorry), LG Pugh, C Richburg, RG Jerry, RT Hart, G/T Fluker, T Wheeler,  T Bisnowaty, C Jones.

Out: The rest. 

They usually carry 8 OL so I think Wheeler, Bisno, and Jones gotta duke it out for 2 spots. I still think Fluker becomes a starter on this line somewhere by the end of the year, maybe before season starts (#FlukerTakeover). Wheeler got some reps at 1st team LT and got "beat like a drum" so there's that. At least he's impressing. And Bisnowaty has the talent to stick for depth. Jones could easily be cut if they can find a backup center. 

DE:

Stay: OV, JPP, Okwara, Taylor, Moss

Out: Owa, Williams, Wynn, Schwan

Owa will go down as a 3rd round bust. Hasn't done much of anything, had some off field stuff going on taking a break from football. Who knows with him. 0 sacks 18 games in 2 seasons: that's all I know. Wynn also getting the boot. He's flashed, but I like Taylor's length/pass rushing ability. 7 sacks in 15 games as a reserve in 2015, but then only managed 4 sacks in 16 starts in 2016. Moss (34.5" arm length) was at Nebraska, got hurt freshman year, next year came back got a handful of sacks and a pick 6, but then he exposed himself to another student... getting him kicked off campus. Went to Youngstown State and in 15 games he had 59 tackles, 17.5 for loss, 10.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. 

DT:

Stay: Snacks, Bromley, Thomas, Tomlinson

Out: Banks, Bryant.

Bryant is a vet that the Giants picked up after he was on the Bills for a few years. Graded out decently in run stopping, but has had health issues. Not a flashy player, just pretty consistent. Bromley is ready to step into the void left by Hankins, and McAdoo has noted his physical play. Thomas got to the Giants last year and all of a sudden came down with an "illness." The Giants never took him off the 53, and then resigned him, so they must see something. Tomlinson is the rookie that will eventually take the starting spot next to Snacks. 2nd round pick from Alabama, can be a 3 down guy if used correctly. Active hands, strong, and has a real nice motor. Won't give up on a play. 

LB: 

Stay: Kennard, Goodson, Casillas, Herzlich, Robinson, Munson

Out: Grant, Skinner, Thomas III, Maponga

I can't see Thomas being healthy. Gets interesting after the first 3 guys staying. Herzlich should make team as that guy that does what is asked of him, specials, depth, whatever. Robinson suffered a concussion and hasn't been doing much at camp. Munson could be a shocker. A UDFA that the Giants are using in almost every special teams unit. High motor, downhill LB. Earlier in his career, he was also the gunner on kickoffs (running into doubles) and on kick return, he was setting the doubles. Skinner can get some quality burn if Robinson is out for extended time, so see if he can make some noise. 

DB: 

Stay: Jenkins, DRC, Apple, Deayon, Collins, Thompson, Adams, Berhe, Pinkins 

Out: Hunter, Blake, Tribune, Ihenacho, Murphy, Robinson, Amos, Thompson (gone already)

A lot of italics here. Giants usually carry 5 corners, so most likely 2 of 3 CBs italicized will make it. I wanted Deayon on the team last year as a slot corner. 5'9" but plays like he's 6'3". Has that attitude you love to see on defense, always around the ball. He's been battling with Hunter who has had a great camp as well. Blake was added in March but was almost put on the PUP because of a back issue. However, he would be that veteran behind Jenkins, Apple, and DRC which would be nice. 

Berhe strikes fear into opponents. He flies around and just lays people out. If he can stay away from concussions, he should be good to go. 3 safety sets! Pinkins is a beast. Going 100% in every single drill, pissing off teammates in the process (had a little fight with Jenkins during WIND SPRINTS). This guy just wants to play. Drafted by Seattle in 2015 as a corner, then moved to safety, got hurt, gained weight, moved to LB, got hurt, got cut. Then he was added to the Giants practice squad last October, he told the coaches to put him at his natural safety position during a practice due to injuries. He hasn't left since. Promoted to active roster week 13 last season and became a core special teams guy. 

Kicker: 

Stay: Rosas

Out: Nugent

Rosas has been impressive so far in camp. Like pretty damn impressive. Bombing 50+ yarders. Nugent is a vet which is a decent fallback option, but I think Rosas kicks his way onto the team.

Punter: 

Wing

Long Snapper: 

DeOssie

- I understand why they keep DeOssie around (resigned in February), he's been here forever (10 seasons). Just not a huge fan of (just) a long snapper taking a roster spot. 

There you go. My 53. Now tear me apart on twitter: @realtlkfb ... should be a fun conversation.