Suspension, DL depth could minimize Josh Mauro’s impact on Giants

Josh Mauro will sit out the first four games of the season, suspended by the NFL for violating the performance enhancing drug policy. What will his role with the New York Giants be when he is reinstated?

Let’s look as we continue our player-by-player profiles of the 90-man roster.

The basics

Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 282
Position: Defensive end
Experience: 4

2017 season in review

Played in 13 games with 7 starts for Arizona. Compiled 1 sack and 22 tackles. Mauro handled the grunt work of a 5-technique, taking on blockers and trying to clog running lanes. His 46.1 grade for 2017 put him in the “poor” category, per Pro Football Focus.

2018 outlook

The Giants signed Mauro to a 1-year, $790K free-agent contract despite apparently being aware that the 27-year-old would be suspended for the first four games of the season due to a violation of the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy.

That suspension, combined with the depth the Giants have accumulated along the defensive line, could cloud Mauro’s future.

B.J. Hill and Dalvin Tomlinson appear to be the team’s starting defensive ends. Kerry Wynn seems likely to earn a backup spot. Robert Thomas, who can play the nose and the 5-tech, is a probable backup. A.J. Francis can spell Damon Harrison at the nose. Fifth-round pick R.J. McIntosh missed the spring with an undisclosed issue for which he will undergo surgery, but he figures to be in the defensive end mix.

Where does Mauro fit? Or, does he fit at all? We will have to wait until Week 5 to find out.