New York Giants post-mini-camp 53-man roster projection

The New York Giants offseason program is complete. Training camp is six weeks away. What are we to do? Well, one thing we can do is make guesses absolutely 100 percent certain to be wrong about what the 53-man roster will look like. So, because we can, let’s do that.

Offense

Quarterback (3) — Eli Manning, Davis Webb, Kyle Lauletta

In that order. Nothing to see here.

Running back (4) — Saquon Barkley, Wayne Gallman, Jonathan Stewart, TBD

Initially, I did this with only three running backs. I’m just not comfortable with that, though. Both undrafted rookie Robert Martin and second-year man Jalen Simmons have had their moments.

Tight end (4) — Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison, Kyle Carter. Scott Simonson

Just a flier here that Jerell Adams could be in jeopardy. Simonson is an experienced blocking tight end. This gives the Giants two blocking tight ends in Ellison and Simonson and two receiving tight ends in Engram and Carter. My gut feeling is they keep an extra tight end rather than a true fullback in Shane Smith.

Wide receiver (6) — Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, Cody Latimer, Hunter Sharp, Russell Shepard, Amba Etta-Tawo

Sorry, Roger Lewis Jr. Throughout the spring he seemed to have been pushed down the depth chart. Here. I’m pushing Lewis out the door. Etta-Tawo got first-team reps in mandatory mini-camp, though we can’t read too much into that.

Offensive line (8) — Starters: Nate Solder (LT), Will Hernandez (LG), Brett Jones (C), Patrick Omameh (RG), Ereck Flowers (RT); Reserves: Jon Halapio, John Greco, Chad Wheeler

Jon Halapio has been getting first-team reps recently. I am taking Pat Shurmur at his word here that there is still a competition with Brett Jones. As well as Jones played last season, I find it hard to believe he ends up riding the pine. Also, in all honesty I would still love to see the Giants acquire a veteran swing tackle before the season begins.

Defense

Defensive line (7) — Starters: Damon Harrison, Dalvin Tomlinson, B.J. Hill; Reserves: Kerry Wynn, Robert Thomas, A.J. Francis, TBD

No Josh Mauro because he will begin the season serving a four-game suspension. The seventh guy could be Avery Moss or R.J. McIntosh if one of them ever gets healthy enough. For now, To Be Determined wins that spot.

Linebackers (7) — Starters: Alec Ogletree, B.J. Goodson, Olivier Vernon, Kareem Martin; Reserves: Lorenzo Carter, Ray-Ray Armstrong, Mark Herzlich

I’m amazed that I’m doing it, but I’m putting Mark Herzlich on the roster. Somebody has to back up in the middle, and when I look at the current choices I don’t know who else to put there.

Cornerbacks (6) — Starters: Janoris Jenkins, Eli Apple; Reserves: William Gay, Donte Deayon, Grant Haley, Chris Lewis-Harris

To be honest, beyond Jenkins, Apple and Gay which corners make the roster is anyone’s guess.

Safeties (5) — Starters: Landon Collins, Curtis Riley; Reserves: Michael Thomas, Darian Thompson, Andrew Adams

Special teams

Placekicker — Aldrick Rosas

Marshall Koehn is not taking the job away from Rosas. Until the Giants bring in an experienced kicker to compete, I have to believe the job is his.

Punter — Riley Dixon

I think his competition with Taylor Symmank is a toss-up, but I have never seen Symmank punt so I will go with Dixon. For now.

Long-snapper — Zak DeOssie