
The New York Giants are less than a month away from reducing their roster to 53 players. Unlike last year there are a decent amount of players who have job security going into the 2019 season. On August 31st the team will have some tough decisions to make as they have depth in a few positions for the first time in recent years.Â
Here’s my projection of the 53 man roster as we get ready for the team’s first preseason game of the 2019 season:Â
Quarterback:
Eli ManningÂ
Daniel JonesÂ
Alex TanneyÂ
Running Back:
Saquon BarkleyÂ
Paul PerkinsÂ
Wayne Gallman
Fullback:
Elijah PennyÂ
Wide Receiver:
Sterling ShepardÂ
Golden TateÂ
Cody LatimerÂ
Darius SlaytonÂ
TJ JonesÂ
Bennie FowlerÂ
Russell ShepardÂ
Tight End:
Evan EngramÂ
Rhett EllisonÂ
Scott SimonsonÂ
CJ Conrad
Offensive Tackle:Â
Nate SolderÂ
George Asafo-Adjei
Mike RemmersÂ
Chad Wheeler
Offensive Guard:
Kevin Zeitler
Will HernandezÂ
Center:
Jon Halapio
Spencer Pulley
Defensive End:
BJ HillÂ
Olsen PierreÂ
Dexter LawrenceÂ
RJ McIntosh
Defensive Tackle:
Dalvin Tomlinson
Chris SlaytonÂ
Outside Linebacker:
Lorenzo CarterÂ
Oshane XiminesÂ
Markus GoldenÂ
Kareem MartinÂ
Inside Linebacker:
Alec Ogletree
Tae Davis
Ryan Connelly
BJ Goodson
Cornerback:
Janoris JenkinsÂ
Deandre BakerÂ
Grant HaleyÂ
Corey BallantineÂ
Sam BealÂ
Antonio HamiltonÂ
Safety:
Antoine BetheaÂ
Jabrill PeppersÂ
Julian Love
Michael Thomas
Long Snapper:
Zak DeOssieÂ
Kicker:
Alrick Rosas
Punter:
Riley DixonÂ
Some notable roster decisions in my projection:
Offense:
The team decides to keep Alex Tanney instead of Kyle Lauletta. While it would make sense to keep the younger quarterback who has more upside in a rebuild, he hasn’t shown the upside. Instead of a future backup in Lauletta, they end up seeing the value in what is essentially an extra coach for Daniel Jones.Â
The Giants keep three running backs. The game-plan in 2019 probably looks something like “Saquon Barkley and more Saquon Barkley” making a fourth running back on the roster far from a necessity. Paul Perkins and Wayne Gallman have both been productive at times with most of Perkins’ production coming this summer. Elijah Penny could also take handoffs in an emergency situation since he was originally a running back.Â
The Giants keep seven wide receivers on the initial 53 man roster. This is assuming Golden Tate loses his appeal. Robert Mathis was given a four-game suspension for the same reason as Tate and his appeal was denied. When Tate returns they will either send one of the other receivers to the practice squad or release them. The only receivers with job security after Tate’s suspension are Sterling Shepard, Cody Latimer, Golden Tate, and Darius Slayton.Â
With plenty of depth at the position, the team keeps four tight ends. Rhett Ellison proved to be an adequate fill-in for Evan Engram but there are guys that can play behind Ellison, too. Scott Simonson and CJ Conrad have shown they are complete tight ends who can not only catch but also block well. Garrett Dickerson is a fifth tight end on the roster who’s having a good camp but teams have an extremely hard time keeping five tight ends. That’s the only reason Dickerson doesn’t make this team.Â
Only two guards on the initial 53 man roster. This could change after Tate’s suspension but this is a position where the Giants haven’t collected any sort of depth. The available guard options in free agency are most likely comparable to what the Giants have lined up as second-team guards right now. This makes them one of the more replaceable assets while the team carries an extra receiver early in the season. If one of the starters were to get injured a signing at this position would be nearly certain.Â
Defense:
Julian Love’s roster spot ends up counting toward the safety budget leaving room for Antonio Hamilton to sneak onto the roster. Julian Love has looked good as a safety and the team has solid depth at the cornerback position. It’s a win-win for both of these players. In terms of raw value, this unit has depth but they’ve yet to experience their growing pains. If they’re not awesome right out of the gate it won’t be time to panic.
The Giants keep four inside linebackers. While this is two more than what they’ve kept in recent years they need at least three ready to play in a 3-4 defense. It’s a weak position for this team and they have four guys who are a step above the inside linebackers available in free agency. The â€strength in numbers†approach let’s a fourth inside linebacker make the team.
Tonight will be the first real step toward forming the 53 man roster.