New York Giants preseason Week 1 53-man roster projection

The New York Giants opened their preseason on Thursday night against the New York Jets. Let’s update our 53-man roster projection after what we see in that game.

Offense (26)

Quarterbacks (3)

Starter: Eli Manning
Backups: Daniel Jones, Alex Tanney
Out: Kyle Lauletta

No change

This is what I have been predicting all along. I’m sticking with it.

Running backs (4)

Change: Paul Perkins out

Starter: Saquon Barkley
Backups: Rod Smith, Wayne Gallman
Fullback: Elijhaa Penny

With a fumble and a dropped pass against the New York Jets, Paul Perkins just did not look like a reliable NFL back.

Tight ends (4)

Starters: Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison
Backup: C.J. Conrad, Scott Simonson

No change

Conrad keeps impressing. I keep believing he is making the roster.

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Wide receivers (6)

Starters: Sterling Shepard, Bennie Fowler
Backups: Cody Latimer, Darius Slayton, T.J. Jones, Russell Shepard

No change:

Alonzo Russell had a 34-yard catch vs. the Jets and has had an excellent training camp, I just don’t know how to get him on the roster. I think Jones’ experience and versatility as a guy who can play in the slot and return punts and kickoffs if needed earns him a roster spot.

I’m increasingly worried about the time rookie Darius Slayton has missed with a hamstring injury. Reggie White Jr. had four catches against the Jets. My guess is he lands on the practice squad.

Offensive linemen (9)

Starters: Nate Solder (LT), Will Hernandez (LG), Jon Halapio (C), Kevin Zeitler (RG), Mike Remmers (RT)
Backups: Spencer Pulley, Chad Wheeler, James O’Hagan, Nick Gates

No change

I am beginning to think Chad Slade, formerly with the Houston Texans, has a shot. He can play both guard and right tackle. I’m not ready to put him on the 53 yet, though. Also, I still think GM Dave Gettleman should be on the prowl for a quality backup tackle.

Defense (24)

Defensive linemen (6)

Starters: Dalvin Tomlinson, B.J. Hill, Dexter Lawrence
Backups: RJ McIntosh, Chris Slayton, Olsen Pierre

No change

Nothing to see here. There was some gnashing of teeth over the lack of production from Dexter Lawrence against the Jets. The kid only played six snaps, though, so let’s not ring any alarm bells just yet.

Edge defenders (4)

Starters: Lorenzo Carter, Markus Golden
Backups: Oshane Ximines, Joey Alfieri

Change: Kareem Martin out

A complete flier here. Alfieri was just claimed a week ago, and played 14 really quiet snaps against the Jets. I don’t really have a feel for him yet. I just have this feeling the Giants might move on from Martin, an average player, netting them a savings of $3.275 million against the cap. Jake Carlock was impressive Thursday with a Pick 6 and a sack. I think he’s ticketed for the practice squad, but let’s see what happens if he keeps making plays. I’m also leaving Nathan Stupar off the 53, and I might end up being wrong about that.

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Inside linebackers (4)

Starters: Alec Ogletree, Tae Davis
Backups: Ryan Connelly, Jonathan Anderson

Change: B.J. Goodson out, Anderson in

It’s been increasingly obvious that Goodson is no longer a starter. The way he was used Thursday against the Jets, playing in the second half with the third and fourth groups, had to raise a red flag in the Goodson camp. Shurmur’s lukewarm “he is in that linebacker crew competing to be on the team” response when asked about Goodson wasn’t exactly an endorsement.

I’m not convinced Anderson will be the guy to replace him, but that’s how the Giants lined up Thursday so, for now, that’s what I will go with.

Cornerbacks (7)

Starters: Janoris Jenkins, DeAndre Baker, Grant Haley (slot)
Backups: Julian Love, Corey Ballentine, Antonio Hamilton, Sam Beal

Change: Haley starting

OK, so I’m finally getting with the program here. Haley continues to look like the starter, so I will finally list him that way. I think Love is going to see the field a lot as a slot corner and the backup free safety to Antoine Bethea. I would think at this point Ballentine has zoomed past Beal on the depth chart.

Safeties (3)

Starters: Jabrill Peppers, Antoine Bethea
Backups: Michael Thomas

No change

You can easily make an argument that Sean Chandler and Kenny Ladler are deserving of roster spots, because they are. I just don’t know where to put them without removing deserving players from other positions.

Special teams (3)

Punter: Riley Dixon
Placekicker: Aldrick Rosas
Snapper: Zak DeOssie

No change

Unless injury dictates a switch somewhere in here, there is no reason to make any changes to this group.