The Giants got down to 80 players by moving their maimed to the IR/PUP lists. The promising rookie linebacker Darrian Beavers and tight ends Ricky Seals-Jones and Andre Miller were put on I.R. Meanwhile, offensive linemen Nick Gates and Matt Peart will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, and because they are on the PUP we now know we won’t be seeing them in a game until at least week five.
By this time next week, we will know the final 53-man roster. There has been tight competition in some areas and some mystery in regards to who will make the final cut.
Running back
At running back, Matt Breida has been penciled in behind Saquon Barkley. He has the experience and a 4.9 average over the others, but his age (27) could work against him if he hasn’t distanced himself enough on the depth chart. He has yet to play in the preseason, so his spot is far from certain.
Gary Brightwell and Antonio Williams are both in their second year, and both were buried on the depth chart in their rookie season. Williams played only in week 17 after the Bills locked up their playoff spot. Brightwell was drafted by the Giants last year as a special-teams player, and took only a single snap for 4 yards for the Giants.
Jashaun Corbin is an undrafted rookie from Florida State. Although he has been behind the rest on the depth chart, he is a little heavier and has appeared a bit quicker than the rest this preseason. He has also been returning kicks.
Sandro Platzgummer is a part of the International Player Pathway program, where the Giants are given an extra practice squad spot just for him. This is one of the reasons we see so little of him in the preseason compared to the others competing for a roster spot.
Wide receiver
For various reasons, Golladay, Shepard, Toney, and Robinson are locks to be on the roster leaving six players to fight for the last two spots. Typically teams do not carry over six receivers on an active roster.
Darius Slayton is the only one with extended starting experience, but he, like everyone else, was a disappointment last year. He has also failed to stand out during camp. Most importantly, he costs more. Alex Bachman and David Sills are practice squad veterans, both 26, and seemed to have been hanging on to the organization by sheer will. Yet they get a little better every year.
C.J Board is 28 but, like Richie James, 26, is an experienced kick/punt returner. With all the injuries at wide receiver, they might not be able to earn a spot on special teams alone and will need to prove they can produce on the field. Neither has been outstanding when given a chance in previous seasons.
Collin Johnson is younger, taller, heavier, and drafter higher (5th round 165th) than the rest of the receivers in question. This is his third year and maybe he puts it all together, giving the giants at least one other big target besides Golladay.
Outside Linebacker
Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux obviously get the nod as high draft picks. From there, you have an exciting set of possible overachievers.
Quincy Roche was a late draft pick, grabbed off of waivers from a Pittsburgh team, traditionally loaded with linebackers. When given a chance to start, he has made the most of it, and it seems his 6th-round draft position has been his most limiting factor.
Oshane Ximines, on the other hand, was a third-round pick and was probably held in higher regard than he should have been. Though he has had only had five starts, he has been given the opportunities when not injured. Unfortunately he hasn’t produced much pass rush nor performed well setting the edge as a run defender. He has look revitalized in camp and is still only 25 years old, but his ability to play special teams better than the others may be his deciding factor.
Tomon Fox has been heavily endorsed by fellow Carolina Tarheel Lawrence Taylor and is a good size at 6’3 260. But playing well against 3rd and 4th stringers will not get him on a roster as an undrafted free agent. Look to see if he gets some time with the two’s and how he fares on special teams.
2020 6th-round pick Cam Brown is tall, lanky, and speedy. He does flash from time to time when he gets on the field and would be a solid situational rusher for the linebacker rotation. Again it is likely that the special teams, which have been struggling this preseason, will be the deciding factor.
Which bubble player are you pulling for?
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