The New York Giants have an extremely important week coming up for roster bubble players, and the back end of the wide receiver unit is full of questions.
Against the Cleveland Browns in the second preseason game of the off-season, the only stand-out player in the WR was David Sills, who recorded a touchdown catch in the second half.
Multiple players are on the brink of being released, fighting for an opportunity to spend the 2021 season on the active roster. The Giants will have to cut the roster down to 53-men by August 31 at 4 PM. Sills may have impressed, but he’s no lock just yet.
New York Giants WR position battle boiling down to four players:
1.) Alex Bachman
Unfortunately for Bachman, he had a poor outing against Cleveland this past weekend. He dropped one of his four targets, picking up 6 yards. Unfortunately, there’s no room for error at this point in the off-season, and he’s falling behind quickly, with Sills and Dante Pettis showing stronger performances. He has a total of just one reception and 6 yards over two games, despite earning 46 snaps.
2.) Damion Willis
Willis is another player gunning for a roster spot, earning 50 snaps over the past two games. Willis has hauled in three receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown, showing far more than Bachman. Fortunately for the former Cincinnati Bengal, he has not dropped a pass but offers little beyond his receiving capabilities. The Giants will likely be looking at special team’s value with receivers at the back end of the roster, so the practice squad could be in his future.
3.) Dante Pettis
Dante Pettis is known for his kick returning abilities, but he also contributed nicely toward the end of the 2020 season with the Giants. He hauled in four receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown over the last two games of the season. He was a catalyst against the Dallas Cowboys, but he remains on the roster bubble with Sills pressing him.
So far, during preseason play, Pettis has three receptions on seven targets for 25 yards. Unfortunately, he hasn’t made a significant impact and has earned no snaps on special teams.
4.) David Sills
Sills has been one of the more impressive receivers this off-season but also offers little on special teams. During preseason play, he’s hauled in six receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown, completing over 50% of his opportunities. As a 6’4″ receiver, the Giants may depend on him as a bigger possession option in case Kenny Golladay is forced to miss any time during the regular season. Based on his work ethic, traveling around the country with Daniel Jones to offer a helping hand, he’s already in the good graces of head coach Joe Judge.
Unless Judge sees more value with a player that can serve as a gunner return man, I believe Sills is the favorite to make the roster.