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Giants unofficial depth chart: What can we learn?

Mostly that a lot of what it shows might not be reality

Syndication: The Record Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC

In advance of Saturday’s preseason opener vs. the New York Jets, the New York Giants have released their first unofficial depth chart. And it is a very unofficial depth chart.

Let’s go through it.

2021 Giants offensive depth chart

Position First Team Second Team Third Team
Position First Team Second Team Third Team
WR Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton C.J. Board
TE Evan Engram Kaden Smith
RT Nate Solder Matt Peart
RG Will Hernandez Ben Bredeson
C Nick Gates Billy Price
LG Shane Lemieux Ben Bredeson
LT Andrew Thomas Matt Peart
RB Saquon Barkley Devontae Booker Gary Brightwell
FB Elijhaa Penny Cullen Gillaspia
WR Sterling Shepard Kadarius Toney Collin Johnson
TE Kyle Rudolph Kaden Smith
QB Daniel Jones Mike Glennon

A few thoughts on the offense:

  • Running back Devontae Booker fumbled on his first 11-on-11 carry Wednesday night. That’s not the first time. Booker, to me, still has not shown why the Giants were in such a rush to sign him.
  • I understood the reason for signing Mike Glennon instead of Colt McCoy. It was about arm strength. Still, arm strength doesn’t help Glennon on shorter throws where he appears to have no idea where the ball is going. Every day Glennon seems to miss wildly on a handful of short throws, many to running backs, that should be easy completions.
  • Weird to see Kyle Rudolph listed as fourth team. We know that won’t end up being the case. Still, it is disconcerting that this far into camp we have yet to see Rudolph (foot surgery) do so much as stretch. He remains on the PUP list.
  • The offensive line depth is a mess. Re-arrange those pieces any way you want, and you still can’t complete the puzzle.
  • Another weird thing about this is to not see Darius Slayton listed as a starter.

2021 Giants defensive depth chart

Position First Team Second Team Third Team
Position First Team Second Team Third Team
SLB Lorenzo Carter Quincy Roche Cam Brown
DE Dexter Lawrence
MLB Blake Martinez Reggie Ragland Justin Hilliard
NT Austin Johnson Danny Shelton
WIL Tae Crowder Carter Coughlin
DT Leonard Williams Raymond Johnson III
OLB Oshane Ximines Azeez Ojulari
LCB James Bradberry Rodarius Williams Josh Jackson, Sam Beal
SS Jabrill Peppers Julian Love
FS Logan Ryan Xavier McKinney
RCB Adoree' Jackson Darnay Holmes Keion Crossen

A few thoughts on the defense:

  • Oshane Ximines is listed as a starting edge defender, but has still done very little in camp. I remain unconvinced Ximines is even guaranteed a roster spot.
  • Odd to me to see Trent Harris listed ahead of Ifeadi Odenigbo and Cam Brown.
  • You can see why the Giants signed defensive tackles Willie Henry and Elijah Qualls. They really don’t want their front-line guys playing a ton of snaps Saturday against the New York Jets.
  • Xavier McKinney isn’t listed as a starter. But, he’s a starter. I have no doubt about that.

2021 Giants special teams depth chart

Position First Team Second Team Third Team Other
Position First Team Second Team Third Team Other
Punter Riley Dixon
Placekicker Graham Gano
Long Snapper Casey Kreiter
Punt returner Jabrill Peppers Adoree' Jackson Kadarius Toney
Kickoff returner C.J. Board Jabrill Peppers Kadarius Toney
Holder Riley Dixon

A few thoughts on the special teams:

  • Ryan Santoso was really impressive on Wednesday night, making 6 of 7 field goal attempts. His only miss came from 58 yards, and he made two 54-yarders with ease. Could the Giants get a seventh-round pick in exchange for him? I doubt it because he remains unproven in regular-season competition, but it won’t hurt to ask placekicker-needy teams.
  • As special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey indicated a few days ago, the Giants have a ton of good options at punt and kickoff returner. I still think Kadarius Toney ends up doing a lot of returning, but I think the coaching staff wants to make him earn that right.