Training camp officially begins for the New York Giants on July 25th. The Giants will begin to put together their final roster as players will compete for positions.
Last offseason, many surprise cuts were made, such as fan-favorite cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The Giants are bound to surprise again this offseason. With multiple positions open for competition, a few veterans will be cut. Here are three likely cut candidates for the 2019 NFL offseason:
Kyle Lauletta:
While Kyle Lauletta might not technically be a “veteran,” he is still a serious potential cut candidate. The Giants have four quarterbacks on their roster currently, and it is hard to believe they will keep more than three. Kyle Lauletta is not likely to be one of the three.
The Giants’ starting quarterback is still Eli Manning. Behind him is the heir apparent rookie Daniel Jones. Then, finally, we have the positional battle between Alex Tanney and Kyle Lauletta. Unfortunately for Lauletta, Tanney is the more likely quarterback for the Giants to keep.
Lauletta was drafted by the team in the 4th round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was a dark horse to become the Giants’ next franchise quarterback but failed to live up to the hype during his limited playing time in 2018. The Giants have always been fond of veteran leadership from the backup quarterback position, and Alex Tanney provides just that.
Tanney might not have a bright future or an impressive career stat line but does provide veteran leadership. Alex Tanney earned himself a contract extension with the Giants and it is unlikely that they would have extended him if they did not plan on keeping him through the summer. So, unfortunately, that means that the sophomore Kyle Lauletta will likely be moved out of New York.
Cody Latimer:
Cody Latimer missed 10 games last season due to injury. The receiver flashed strong potential when he was on the field, but he was rarely ever able to suit up. The Giants’ receiving corps has its two primary receivers set, but there seems to be a positional battle brewing for the third receiver position.
Cody Latimer is likely the Giants’ leading candidate to win this position, however, he has some serious competition. Corey Coleman is a young, speedy receiver that the Giants picked up last season. Coleman is a former 1st-round pick who never reached his potential, but it is not too late for him to evolve into a solid receiving threat.
If Corey Coleman can take a leap and show major improvements during 2019’s training camp, then Cody Latimer’s value on this team takes a significant hit. Additionally, the Giants can save a little over $1,000,000 in cap space by cutting Latimer. If the Giants get pressed for cap space, Cody Latimer could be another cap casualty.
Janoris Jenkins:
This is the least likely of the three cut candidates, however, it is a possible surprise. The Giants drafted three cornerbacks in the 2019 NFL Draft (four if you count Sam Beal). Janoris Jenkins is currently being pegged into a veteran-teacher role, but that could change.
Julian Love, DeAndre Baker, Sam Beal, and Corey Ballentine are all talented young cornerbacks who could take Janoris Jenkins’s spot if the Giants feel the need to save some cap space. Janoris Jenkins had a down year in 2018 and has a huge contract to live up to.
Janoris Jenkins has a cap hit of $14,750,000 in 2019. New York can free up $7,750,000 if they cut him this year. He would also account for only $3,500,000 in dead cap space next year if they decide to cut him.
Being that Janoris is 30 years old, it would not be too outlandish for the Giants to move on from the aging vet. If New York decides that they need to free up cap space, Janoris Jenkins might become a cap casualty.