How much did the New York Giants time in West Virginia change the team\u2019s potential season-opening roster? Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n
Below is an updated position-by-position look at who I consider to be locks to make the 53-man roster, bubble players, and long shots after the first two weeks of practice. The intent is to look at where the most interesting competitions are, and the chances of individual players.<\/p>\n
Locks (2) \u2014 Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston
Bubble players (0) \u2014 None
Long shot (1) \u2014 Brandon Allen<\/p>\n
I would think we will see a lot of Allen in Saturday\u2019s preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings.<\/p>\n
Locks (4) \u2014 Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary, Patrick Ricard
Bubble players (1) \u2014 Dante Miller
Long shots (2) \u2014 Eric Gray, Damon Bankston, Grant Finley (FB)<\/p>\n
[Change: Finley added to roster]<\/p>\n
When the Giants have monitored Skattebo\u2019s reps, it has been Miller who has benefitted by getting chances to work with Dart. I still don\u2019t think Miller makes the team, but right now he would be RB4 with Ricard as a fullback\/blocking tight end.<\/p>\n
Locks (3) \u2014 Isaiah Likely, Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz
Bubble players (1) \u2014 Tanner Conner
Long shot (1) \u2014 Thomas Fidone<\/p>\n
Conner, formerly with the Miami Dolphins, has made plenty of plays this summer. I don\u2019t see, though, how he knocks Manhertz off the roster. Unless the Giants are willing to use Patrick Ricard regularly as an inline tight end.<\/p>\n
Locks (5) \u2014 Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Calvin Austin, Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields
Bubble players (5) \u2014 Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster, Braxton Berrios, Dalen Cambre, Jalin Hyatt
Long shots (3) \u2014 Ryan Miller, Xavier Gipson, Isaiah Hodgins<\/p>\n
[Changes: Beaux Collins cut; Jalin Hyatt moved from long shot to bubble]<\/p>\n
Hyatt has made a career of flashing during training camp, and he is doing it again. Interestingly, the Giants are taking a look at Hyatt as a potential punt gunner. He has the speed for it. Does he have the physicality to get off blocks, especially double teams, and the willingness\/ability to tackle? Those are questions we don\u2019t have the answer to.<\/p>\n
One player who has gotten little attention in camp is Mooney, the veteran receiver signed in free agency during the offseason. I have even heard speculation that Mooney, who has $3 million in guaranteed money, could be on the roster bubble.<\/p>\n
After what I watched during the week of padded practices in West Virginia, and heard from players, I am not buying.<\/p>\n
Mooney has consistently repped with Dart. During Friday\u2019s practice, Mooney caught several passes. One was an impressive 15-yard, top-tapping, deep out during the full-field drive at the end of practice. That same day, Mooney smoked Paulson Adebo for a deep sideline catch during 7-on-7 work.<\/p>\n
One of my favorite questions to ask new, veteran Giants is which player or players they knew nothing about they have been impressed by. When I had a chance to speak with defensive back Ar\u2019Darius Washington, I put the question to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew Mooney was nice,\u201d Washington said. \u201cI knew he was good. But I didn\u2019t know he was that good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anything can happen, but I have a hard time believing Mooney won\u2019t be part of the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n
Locks (7) \u2014 Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan, John Michael Schmitz, Francis Mauigoa, Jermaine Eluemunor, Marcus Mbow, Daniel Faalele
Bubble players (5) \u2014 J.C. Davis, Lucas Patrick, Bryan Hudson, Josh Ezeudu, Aaron Stinnie
Long shots (5) \u2014 Evan Neal, Ryan Schernecke, Jake Kubas, Jarrod Gray (International Exemption), Brendan Jaimes<\/p>\n
[Change: Jaimes added to roster]<\/p>\n
Patrick is making the team as the backup center \u2026 if he is healthy. The Giants have been managing the veteran lineman\u2019s snaps. If he isn\u2019t healthy, maybe that opens the door for Hudson \u2026 or even Kubas, who has worked at center in the past.<\/p>\n
Locks (4) \u2014 D.J. Reader, Darius Alexander, Shelby Harris, Chauncey Golston
Bubble players (5) \u2014 Bobby Jamison-Travis, Leki Fotu, Zacch Pickens, Sam Roberts, Josh Tupou
Long shots (2) \u2014 Anquin Barnes Jr., Marlon Davidson<\/p>\n
If I had to guess right now, I would say Jamison-Travis and Fotu make the roster. That, though, is purely a guess.<\/p>\n
Locks (4) \u2014 Arvell Reese, Tremaine Edmunds, Micah McFadden, Jack Kelly
Bubble players (2) \u2014 Darius Muasau, Zaire Barnes
Long shots (1) \u2014 Anfernee Orji<\/p>\n
[Change: Kelly moved from bubble to lock]<\/p>\n
Kelly, one of the Giants\u2019 three sixth-round picks, has been impressive going both forward and backward. He aligns next to McFadden with the second team during every practice. I will be very surprised if he is not on the season-opening roster.<\/p>\n
Locks (3) \u2014 Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux
Bubble players (1) \u2014 Khalid Kareem
Long shots (2) \u2014 Trace Ford, Caleb Murphy<\/p>\n
I still see only the three edge defenders making the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n
Locks (5) \u2014 Paulson Adebo, Greg Newsome II, Colton Hood, Dru Phillips, Deonte Banks
Bubble players (3) \u2014 Art Green, Nic Jones, Korie Black
Long shots (2) \u2014 David Long, D.J. James<\/p>\n
[Change: Long, James added to roster; Jarrick Bernard-Converse waived\/injured]<\/p>\n
The Giants are a little thin at cornerback right now, even after signing Long and James. Dru Phillips\u2019 knee injury is said to be minor, but the Giants might still need to add one more player here.<\/p>\n
As for the competition for starting spots at cornerback, scoff at the idea Deonte Banks could be a starter if you want \u2026 but he could be a starter. He has been getting considerable snaps with the first team, and is legitimately in competition with Greg Newsome and Colton Hood. Newsome even said a few days ago that Banks has been \u201camazing\u201d this summer.<\/p>\n