NFL roster cuts: 5 most interesting decisions facing Giants

Tuesday is a difficult day in the NFL. It is roster cut down day, when teams have to reach the 53-man regular-season roster limit. Players will lose jobs, and many of them won’t get another opportunity.

Yours truly has already made his 53-man roster projection, which was quickly blown to smithereens by Monday’s trade of defensive tackle B.J. Hill for offensive lineman Billy Price.

Let’s look quickly at the five most interesting decisions facing the Giants as they shape their roster.

Running back

How many do they keep, and which ones? Will veteran Corey Clement and rookie Gary Brightwell both make the roster? If not, who stays and who goes? That might depend on whether or not the Giants really believe Elijhaa Penny can be a capable extra running back.

Speaking of Penny, could the Giants be the rare NFL team that keeps two fullbacks? Both Penny and Cullen Gillaspia excel on special teams, so that could happen.

Wide receiver

How many can they keep? With Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay uncertain for the season opener as of now, how many do they need to keep? Can fan favorite and training camp star David Sills make the roster? If not, could the Giants find takers for either Sills or Pettis via trade? What do the Giants do with John Ross?

How many tight ends?

Evan Engram’s calf injury has his Week 1 availability in doubt, and makes this position a bit of a mess. Kyle Rudolph just began practicing last week as he returns from foot surgery, and his Week 1 availability is also a question mark.

No offense to Nakia Griffin-Stewart of Jake Hausmann, but the only completely healthy roster-worthy tight end on the Giants’ current roster is Kaden Smith.

No matter how the initial 53-man roster turns out, you have to believe the Giants will be looking at cuts across the league in an effort to supplement this position.

Offensive line

As of this writing, I am only comfortable predicting six offensive line spots out of what should ultimately be eight or nine players. Price, Andrew, Thomas, Nick Gates, Will Hernandez, Matt Peart, Nate Solder are making the roster.

Shane Lemieux? I’m wondering if his worrisome knee injury will land him on IR to begin the season. The remaining backups? Who knows?

Backup cornerbacks

There would appear to be at least one spot open. Madre Harper? Sam Beal? Josh Jackson? None of the above? We will see soon enough.