NY Giants 53-man roster projection: Complete depth chart predictions

EAST RUTHERFORD - The Giants will open the 2025 regular season in less than two weeks, so it's almost go time around here in preparation for Brian Daboll's fourth campaign.

A promising preseason showing with three wins and reason for optimism now shifts to the upcoming trip to Maryland for the Sept. 7 opener against the Washington Commanders.

There's no question a handful of players have taken a step forward in trying to separate from the rest of the pack when competing for a place on the 2025 team. The Giants have the most complete roster in three-plus years under Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, so the challenge to earn a spot was more difficult.

Here's my best guess at where the competition for spots and the 53-man roster stand with our final projection and notes on the Giants' depth chart as team brass sets the initial roster Tuesday:

New York Giants roster projection

Quarterbacks (3)

• Starter: Russell Wilson
• Backups: Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston
• What to know: The Giants signed Winston with an eye at having him here in 2025 and 2026 at $4 million per year, a relatively inexpensive price for a backup. He also means something to this locker room. Wilson is QB1, and the debate has already begun regarding Dart and how quickly he can take the job. That may be unfair to the 10-time Pro Bowler who has done nothing to lose the job, but Dart's development has been remarkable. It's only a matter of time, wins and performance before the rookie gets the call. DeVito enters NFL limbo - he could land elsewhere, or he could be here if the Giants decide to keep a fourth quarterback on the practice squad. His value in this area is much higher than elsewhere, especially off the field.

Wide receivers (6)

• Starters: Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson
• Backups: Jalin Hyatt, Beaux Collins, Ihmir Smith-Marsette
• What to know: Nabers, Slayton and Robinson have all missed time this summer, but their place atop the depth chart has not changed. Nabers is the straw that stirs the drink, with all due respect to Reggie Jackson. Hyatt still has to prove he can be relied upon, but his TD catch from Winston in the preseason finale is tantalizing enough to keep him here. Collins had a tough preseason finale with two drops. He could be odd man out and headed to the practice squad despite a strong body of work this summer as an undrafted rookie if the Giants add to the position with a free agent such as Gabe Davis or someone via the waiver wire. Smith-Marsette beats out Gunner Olszewski, but it's close and good go the other way.

Running backs (4)

• Starter: Tyrone Tracy Jr.
• Backups: Devin Singletary, Cam Skattebo, Turbo Miller
• What to know: Tracy's strong summer has gone a bit under the radar with all the attention paid to Skattebo and Miller. Singletary has the trust of the coaching staff, especially in pass protection, and he should be safe. Skattebo returning to the field after missing nearly two weeks of action with a hamstring issue. He got his first action in the preseason finale and looked healthy in practice Sunday. Miller has improved, and his burst as a receiver out of the backfield is special. If he's not in the regular rotation at gunner, will the Giants try to expose him to waivers and get him to the practice squad? That seems possible, but I'll keep Turbo on here in this projection.

Tight ends (4)

• Starter: Theo Johnson
• Backups: Chris Manhertz, Daniel Bellinger, Thomas Fidone
• What to know: Greg Dulcich is the odd man out, but he has been making plays, especially in the preseason games. It's a tough decision. Manhertz and Bellinger have missed time this summer. Both bring value that reveals itself more on game day than in practice. Fidone has flashed this summer and has validated the Giants' belief when they selected him in the seventh round that he has a chance to outplay where he ultimately landed in the draft.

Offensive line (10)

• Starters: LT Andrew Thomas, LG Jon Runyan Jr., C John Michael Schmitz, RG Greg Van Roten, RT Jermaine Eluemunor
• Backups: T Marcus Mbow, T James Hudson, C Austin Schlottmann, G Evan Neal, G/T Joshua Ezeudu
• What to know: Schlottmann makes it as the backup center, but the Giants could eye Van Roten in that role. He is a vested veteran, so they could play some roster gymnastics and guarantee him a spot after releasing him for flexibility on Tuesday. We'll see. Neal and Ezeudu beat out veteran Austin Stinnie and Jake Kubas. Will both return to the practice squad? The Giants would likely prefer that. Kubas hit a rough patch against the Bills in the preseason opener and never reversed the momentum against him. A sleeper to watch: reserve Bryan Hudson, who showed up well at guard in preseason games.

Defensive line (6)

• Starters: Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Roy Robertston-Harris
• Backups: Darius Alexander, Elijah Chatman, D.J. Davidson
• What to know: Lawrence, the All-Pro, was biding his time this summer for the real thing to start. Robertson-Harris and Alexander, the third-round pick, are locks. Alexander could be eased into the lineup early in the year, however. Chatman was a great story last summer and the coaches love him. He offers some flex at fullback, and while that isn't the reason to keep him, his role should be established. Davidson has really picked up his game the last two weeks to earn a spot. Nunez-Roches is someone to keep an eye on as a surprise cut because of his veteran status if the Giants want to save some cap space for another move, especially if they deem Alexander ready to take on a significant role.

Edge (4)

• Starters: Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux
• Backups: Abdul Carter, Chauncey Golston
• What to know: Golston was a starter in Dallas last season and is fighting to have an impactful role. That speaks to the anticipated production of Burns, Thibodeaux and Carter. Undrafted rookie Trace Ford flashed in the preseason games, so could be a quality add to the PS. This is the best unit on the team.

Inside linebackers (4)

• Starters: Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden
• Backups: Darius Muasau, Chris Board
• What to know: Okereke and McFadden are the starters. The coaches seem prepared to give Muasau some quality reps as well. Board is a core special teamer. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles was also signed to be a core special teamer, but he has been injured. If the Giants are still high on DFF, he could easily pop here as a fifth and take a spot from another position.

Cornerbacks (6)

• Starters: Paulson Adebo, Cor'Dale Flott, Dru Phillips
• Backups: Tae Banks, Korie Black, Art Green
• What to know: Banks picked a wrong time to get banged up. Flott seized the moment against the Jets and appears poised to start opposite Adebo with Phillips in the nickel. Black, Green and Nic Jones have all flashed this summer, and Green is a solid gunner on special teams. Jones could land on the practice squad. Tre Hawkins III has not been on the field due to injury, so his chances take a hit. Could the Giants carry him on the initial 53 and place him on IR on Wednesday? Black was working after practice Sunday with veterans Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo, so the Giants are likely to find a role for the seventh-round pick.

Safeties (3)

• Starters: Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin
• Backup: Dane Belton
• What to know: Holland and Nubin are the starters, and we'll see how much time Belton will get in three-safety looks. In reality, Belton might be best served becoming a special teams beast in coverage. The fourth spot is up in the air and may come down to Raheem Layne, who is currently sidelined with an undisclosed injury; undrafted rookie Makari Paige, who played really well in the preseason finale; and the wire, either via waivers or as a free agent.

Specialists

• Kicker: Graham Gano
• Punter: Jamie Gillan
• Long snapper: Casey Kreiter
• What to know: No changes here. Jude McAtamney will back up Gano as part of the International Pathway Program, and he won't count against the 53.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Giants 53-man roster projection: Complete depth chart predictions