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NFL teams have to trim their rosters from 90 players to 75 by Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Many teams have already begun that process, though to this point the New York Giants have not. Let’s track some of the big-name cuts around the league and discuss some of the newly-available players who might be of interest to the Giants.
To track all of the cuts, use the SB Nation roster cuts tracker.
As far as the Giants are concerned, maybe the most interesting player to be released thus far is veteran offensive lineman Erik Pears, cut Sunday by the San Francisco 49ers. As we have speculated many times, the Giants could be scouring the roster cuts for players to supplement their offensive line depth.
Pears, 34, is a nine-year veteran who started all 16 games — most at right tackle and a couple at right guard — for San Francisco last season. He has 102 starts in 117 career games, and has started games at every position except center. In addition to San Francisco, Pears has played for the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills
Here is David Fucillo of SB Nation’s Niners Nation on what Pears might be able to offer the Giants.
"He's not a starting caliber right tackle. The 49ers signed him in 2015 with the intention of him being their swing tackle. However, Anthony Davis retired, and that shoved him into the starting lineup. It did not help that the 49ers had an awful right guard next to him, but he struggled in his own right. After an injury to the left guard moved the right guard over, Pears took over as right guard for the final two games, and was decent.
"There are a couple reasons he could be a decently valuable addition. The first is that he can play both right and left tackle. As a reserve, that's incredibly valuable, and he has extensive experience practicing on both sides. The other is the ability to play guard, where he might be better suited. He's not the most athletic of linemen, so keeping him in guard where he can focus a bit more on a smaller area could be valuable. But again, combine that with his left and right tackle play, and he could be a nice reserve option."
There will be other players who become available in the coming days. Teams have to reach the 53-man regular-season limit on Saturday. Pears, though, was the first available offensive lineman who might intrigue the Giants.
We know the Philadelphia Eagles already cut Rueben Randle. Offensive lineman Bryan Stork is also apparently a member of the New England Patriots again.
[Update] — The Detroit Lions have cut ex-Giant Geoff Schwartz.
Thanks to the @Lions organization for everything. Enjoyed my time... On to the next opportunity.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) August 29, 2016
Cullen Jenkins signs with the Washington Redskins
lockquote class="twitter-tweet">Redskins have signed DE Cullen Jenkins to a one-year deal, source says.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) August 29, 2016
(Update 4:15 p.m.)
Lions trade WR Jeremy Kerley to 49ers to OG Brandon Thomas https://t.co/Mohh2tmTZW
— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) August 29, 2016
(Update 4:47 p.m.)