The New York Giants’ 53-man roster is set with less than two weeks until their season-opener on Sept. 8 at MetLife Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings.
A revamped roster built by Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will attempt to take a step forward after a significant regression in 2023 where they went from a playoff team to another disappointing 6-11 season.
Uncertainties litter the roster, headlined by the quarterback position as the 2024 campaign appears to be Daniel Jones’ last stand to prove he can be the franchise’s long-term man under center.
Here is how things are shaking up in the Meadowlands.
2024 Giants 53-man roster
- Quarterback: Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito
- Running back: Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Tyrone Tracy
- Wide receiver: Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Jalin Hyatt, Malik Nabers, Gunner Olszewski, Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton
- Tight end: Daniel Bellinger, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz
- Offensive line: Jermaine Eluemunor, Joshua Ezeudu, Jake Kubas, Evan Neal, Jon Runyan Jr., Austin Schlottmann, John Michael Schmitz, Aaron Stinnie, Andrew Thomas, Greg Van Roten
- Defensive line: Elijah Chatman, DJ Davidson, Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Jordon Riley
- Outside linebacker/EDGE: Brian Burns, Azeez Ojulari, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Benton Whitley
- Inside linebacker: Carter Coughlin, Dyontae Johnson, Micah McFadden, Bobby Okereke, Darius Muasau
- Cornerback: Deonte Banks, Cor’Dale Flott, Tre Hawkins III, Nick McCloud, Dru Phillips
- Safety: Dane Belton, Tyler Nubin, Gervarrius Owens, Jason Pinnock, Isaiah Simmons
- Special teams: Graham Gano, Casey Kreiter, Jamie Gillan
3 takeaways
Keeping DeVito was a necessity: Going with three quarterbacks is not always the right move but head coach Brian Daboll did not have much of a choice — even if the writing was on the wall at the end of last season that Tommy DeVito would not be with the team after his 15 minutes of fame were up.
Backup Drew Lock is still recovering from a hip injury and starter Daniel Jones has had an extensive history with injuries. Just last season alone he suffered a neck injury before his season-ending ACL tear. DeVito went 3-3 as a starter last season, completing 64% of his passes for 1,101 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions
Robinson and Hodgins undone by lack of versatility: The Giants’ top four wide receivers do not come as much of a surprise as Daboll went with a youth-heavy group of Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Jalin Hyatt. The trio are supported by the lone veteran of the group, Darius Slayton, who has been the lone familiar target for Jones over the years.
Isaiah Hodgins was a key part of the Giants’ playoff run two years ago when he was picked up from Buffalo and veteran Allen Robinson — a three-time 1,000-yard receiver — added another veteran option when he was brought in during the offseason.
But neither offered anything in terms of special teams play, which is likely why they got the cut. Instead, the Giants stayed loyal to Gunner Olszewski despite him carrying a groin injury, and the biggest surprise of them all, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, who managed to beat out veteran Miles Boykin for an expected returner role.
An inexperienced defensive line: Dexter Lawrence is one of the very best in the league at his position, but the interior of the Giants’ defensive line lacks definitive experience behind him. Rakeen Nunez-Roches has 42 starts, 83 tackles, and four sacks in nine years, DJ Davidson has 20 games (two starts) to his name, Elijah Chatman was an undrafted free agent and minicamp tryout, and Jordon Riley was a seventh-round pick last year who appeared in just eight games.
It would be surprising if this was the same group that makes it to Week 1 as the Giants could use a waiver pickup to bolster the group.
