Patricia Traina dives into an early 53-man Giants roster projection ahead of Thursday's preseason finale against the New England Patriots, laying out a precise depth-chart picture that hinges on a near-term plan rather than long-term cap gymnastics. The quarterback group stands as a three-man rotation with Wilson, Winston, and Dart, while the backfield expands to four after Cam Scataboo’s return. At tight end, four are kept: Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, Thomas Fedoni II, and Greg Doulick, with Manhurz on the outside looking in.

Wide receivers are pared to a six-man group featuring neighbors, Slayton, Robinson, Hyatt, Bo Collins, and Marett, while the offensive line sticks to nine and the defense to tight seven-man front structures in different phases. Dexter Lawrence anchors the DL with a handful of pass-rushers, and Dane Belton plus Cavon Wallace anchor the safety corps, complemented by a six-man cornerback unit and a stout return game battle. The show also weighs waiver-wire intrigue, including Tommy DeVito’s potential path if he clears waivers, and Bellinger’s pay-cut scenario as the team negotiates its 53-man entry point.

The Giants enter 2025 with a promising offense and a revamped pass rush, but the run defense remains the unit under the most scrutiny. Through two preseason games, Pro Football Focus grades and depth-chart realities paint a picture of a defense that still leaks yards on the ground, with opponents grinding out four-plus yards per carry and many tackles coming with unfavorable angles. Dexter Lawrence anchors the interior, but when he's out, the line struggles to hold the point of attack, forcing linebackers to scrape through clutter and miss more tackles than coaches would like. The roster battle plan centers on practical depth pieces who can step up when the lights are brighter in the regular season. Segment-by-segment breakdowns lean into interior offensive line battles (Joshua Isudu vs Jake Kubas), tight end intrigue (Thomas Fidoni, Greg Doulick, Daniel Bellinger), and the shifting group of linebackers and defensive backs who must contribute on all three downs. Cap space looms as a practical constraint, with the team weighing pay cuts or restructures for veteran pillars to fund the year while keeping core pieces intact. The takeaway for fantasy and betting is clear: the Giants likely lean on a tighter rotation up front, but meaningful improvement hinges on a cleaner, more disciplined run defense that can free up the pass rush to do what it was built to do.

As anticipation builds for the New York Giants' upcoming season, several veterans find themselves on the roster bubble as the team evaluates their futures. Tight end Daniel Bellinger struggles to regain a secure spot with the emergence of Darren Waller and Theo Johnson, while also dealing with declining targets and snap counts. Similarly, wide receiver Jalen Hyatt has seen his playing time diminish significantly, raising questions about his role in the offense amidst new additions. Veteran kicker Graham Gano's performance has faltered recently, potentially making his position vulnerable as the Giants consider alternatives. Running back Eric Gray appears to be at risk as well, with his lack of involvement and subpar stats putting his place in jeopardy.

The Giants also face tough decisions regarding other players like Rake Nunez-Roches and Micah McFadden, whose positions could be reassessed with new arrivals aimed at strengthening the roster. As training camp approaches, the Giants must navigate these complexities wisely to ensure a competitive lineup while also considering the future of their roster.