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Each time the New York Giants take the field this preseason the picture of what the regular-season 53-man roster might look like will change somewhat. Let’s try once again to project what the roster might look like Week 1.
Offense (25)
Quarterback
Eli Manning
Ryan Nassib
No change, of course. If you watched or about the the way Dak Prescott, a rookie fourth-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys, played over the weekend you have to be even more disturbed by the way Ryan Nassib, a four-year veteran fourth-round pick, played for the Giants on Friday night.
Running back
Rashad Jennings
Shane Vereen
Paul Perkins
Andre Williams
Change: Williams in, Orleans Darkwa out. You know that stand I took last week about Darkwa being better than Williams? Well, I still believe it. After the way Williams played on Friday and knowing how the Giants have continued to have faith in him, I just don’t think the Giants are going to give him a real chance to show it.
Tight end
Will Tye
Larry Donnell
Will Johnson
Matt LaCosse
No change. There are many who think the Giants won’t take a chance on losing sixth-round pick Jerell Adams via waivers, which they would have to pass him through before putting him on the practice squad. Before I worry about that I actually need to see him do something that justifies putting him on the 53-man roster.
Wide receiver
Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard
Dwayne Harris
Geremy Davis
Roger Lewis
Myles White
Change: Stop the presses! You’re right, you do not see the name Victor Cruz on that list. I simply can’t put him on the 53-man roster right now until he proves he can stay healthy, get in games and actually contribute. Until he proves otherwise, he’s just a broken down brand name. I chose White, but that sixth spot could easily be Tavarres King or Darius Powe. Or Cruz, if he can ever actually get into a game and do something.
Offensive line
Ereck Flowers, Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg, John Jerry, Marshall Newhouse
Bobby Hart
Byron Stingily
Ryan Seymour
Dillon Farrell
Changes. First, I relented and added a ninth offensive lineman. Second, after an awful night against Miami Adam Gettis is out. So is Shane McDermott. Dillon Farrell has moved in as the second-team center this week, so he’s in. Ryan Seymour can play all across the line, so he is also in. To be honest, picking the backup offensive linemen is like throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. This group is going to change every time I do one of these projections.
Defense (25)
Defensive tackle
Damon Harrison, Johnathan Hankins
Jay Bromley
Montori Hughes
Change: Hughes in, Greg Milhouse out. Milhouse was impressive in limited snaps Friday, but this is based on one simple fact. Hughes played with the second unit against Miami, ahead of Milhouse.
Defensive end
Olivier Vernon, Jason Pierre-Paul
Owamagbe Odighizuwa
Kerry Wynn
No change. I still think it would be nice to add one more defensive lineman, but I don’t know who it would be.
Linebacker
Devon Kennard, Jasper Brinkley, Jonathan Casillas
Keenan Robinson
B.J. Goodson
Mark Herzlich
Kelvin Sheppard
No change.
Cornerback
Janoris Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Leon Hall
Eli Apple
Trevin Wade
Donte Deayon
No change. Deayon has reportedly been getting some first-team reps, especially in packages with four corners on the field. He wouldn’t be getting those at this point if he didn’t have a solid chance to make the roster.
Safety
Landon Collins, Darian Thompson
Nat Berhe
Mykkele Thompson
Change. Thompson in, Bennett Jackson out. The Giants only gave Jackson eight snaps against Miami. For me, that’s a red flag about his chances to make the team.
Specialists (3)
Placekicker — Josh Brown
Punter — Brad Wing
Long-snapper — Zak DeOssie
No change. More and more, I wonder if it’s possible the Giants would keep Tyler Ott instead of DeOssie. I will, however, believe it when I see it.