The Giants.com crew members react to the initial 53-man roster.
John Schmeelk: I’ve been at this game of trying to predict the initial 53-man roster for more than a decade. No one ever gets all 53 correct. The amount of institutional knowledge about these players inside the building between the front office and coaches dwarfs whatever anyone not involved in those continuous offseason discussions knows. Whenever I try to come up with my list, I try to take 25 offensive players, 25 defensive players and then the three specialists. Usually, the final numbers wind up somewhere in that window, though this year was a bit of an exception.
The Giants kept 26 offensive players with only 24 coming on defense, but there should be a few notes. Though Gunner Olszewski is technically an offensive player, most of his contributions are likely to come on special teams. The Giants also only kept three safeties, making it possible they bring in a fourth player at that position, with a corresponding roster move that may trim an additional offensive player off the roster.
On offense, I thought it was noteworthy that Beaux Collins was the only undrafted free agent to make the team. The fact he made it as the team’s sixth wide receiver shows how much the team thought of him and their concern another team might claim him if he showed up on the waiver wire. With his combination of size and speed, he will have a chance to develop slowly behind an experienced group of wideouts without needing to be forced into action too soon.
The same can be said of Thomas Fidone II, who has the physical tools and athleticism to become a good tight end in the league even if he isn’t ready to contribute right away. He is the fourth tight end in a group behind three players with various skillsets in Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz. He will be able to get stronger as a blocker and develop as a two-way player without immediate pressure to contribute right away.
The Giants’ decision to keep only three running backs, even after Dante “Turbo” Miller had a strong offseason and contributed on special teams, reflects their confidence in the top three (Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, Cam Skattebo) to give the team the production they need at the position. It would also indicate a measure in confidence in Skattebo being healthy after he missed a large portion of training camp but was able to back on the field in time for the third and final preseason game.
Finally, I’m not sure I remember the Giants keeping 11 players on the offensive line, even considering the fact Josh Ezeudu was placed on injured reserve and designated to return. Their willingness to keep so many players at the position speaks to their confidence in the skills of the group. Injuries always happen at the position, and the Giants want to make sure they are not scrambling to grab someone off the couch like they had to with Justin Pugh two years ago. With the 10 active players, they are three deep (including Greg Van Rotten) at center, and five deep at both tackle and guard given the multi-position flexibility from many of their players. The fact that 10 of the team’s best 53 players (11 of 54 if you count Ezeudu) were offensive linemen should provide some relief to anyone doubting the group.
Marcus Mbow provides that developmental player in the offensive line group, while Jaxson Dart does the same at quarterback. All in all, it is a good combination of veteran players that can help the team win now, and talented young players that develop in the future.
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