53-man roster projection: What Giants might look like right now

With the 2017 NFL Draft completed let’s take a way too early stab at what the New York Giants 53-man roster might look like. It won’t look like this in September, but this is what it might look like if there was a game this weekend.

Quarterback (3)

Eli Manning
Josh Johnson
Davis Webb

The Giants will keep three quarterbacks. Manning will start and Webb will be No. 3. That means Johnson and Geno Smith compete for the No. 2 job. Since Johnson has been around for a year and Smith’s knee will limit him throughout the spring, I’m giving the nod to Johnson. For now.

Running back (5)

Paul Perkins
Shane Vereeen
Wayne Gallman
Orleans Darkwa
Shaun Draughn

So, if the Giants sign LeGarrette Blount who loses a job, Darkwa or Draughn?

Tight end (4)

Rhett Ellison
Evan Engram
Will Tye
Jerell Adams

Ellison is the blocker and will also likely handle some fullback duties. Engram was drafted to be the pass catcher. Adams is the young, developing player who might one day be able to do both. What, exactly, is Will Tye going to do for this team? The Giants have kept Matt LaCosse around for two years hoping he would turn into a player for them. Can he force his way on to the roster as a fifth tight end?

Wide receiver (5)

Odell Beckham Jr.
Brandon Marshall
Sterling Shepard
Dwayne Harris
Roger Lewis

Lewis, Tavarres King, Darius Powe. Take your pick for the last receiver slot. I might change my mind every time I do one of these projections.

Offensive line (9)

Ereck Flowers, Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg, John Jerry, Bobby Hart
D.J. Fluker, Brett Jones, Adam Bisnowaty, Chad Wheeler

I think eight of those are pretty easy to figure right now. I’m giving the last spot to Wheeler since the Giants have made such a fuss about getting him an an undrafted free agent. Besides, I had to find a spot for a UDFA. If they don’t add a veteran swing tackle, the Giants could opt for just eight linemen.

Defensive tackle (3)

Damon Harrison, Dalvin Tomlinson
Robert Thomas

No Jay Bromley in this projection. Bromley is a pass-rushing 3-tech who hasn’t given the Giants any pass rush in three seasons. Besides, the Giants push a defensive end inside in many pass-rush situations, anyway. Maybe the Giants stash an undrafted guy like Jarron Jones on the practice squad.

Defensive end (6)

Jason Pierre-Paul, Olivier Vernon
Romeo Okwara, Avery Moss, Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Kerry Wynn

Kept Wynn instead of Bromley. In my view, he’s been a more useful player.

Linebacker (6)

Jonathan Casillas, Devon Kennard, B.J. Goodson
Keenan Robinson, Mark Herzlich, J.T. Thomas III

Thomas is still around. The Giants are paying him a healthy chunk of money. For now, I’ll project they keep him. What they do with him is another story, but for now I have him on the 53. As for Herzlich, every year I project him falling off the roster and, somehow, he stays on.

Cornerback (5)

Janoris Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Eli Apple
Valentino Blake, Michael Hunter

Umm, yeah. Look at those backups. The Giants could use a little help there. Before you ask, no I don’t think Trevin Wade or Leon Hall will be the answer.

Safety (4)

Landon Collins, Darian Thompson
Andrew Adams, Nat Berhe

Sorry, Mykkele Thompson. No room at the inn. Unless Berhe has more concussion issues.

Specialists (3)

PK — Aldrick Rosas
P — Brad Wing
LS — Zak DeOssie

You have to give the placekicking job to Rosas for now. He’s the only one on the roster.