New York Giants Depth Chart
By Jon Dove
The New York Giants Depth Chart looks very different after the franchise spent a ton of money via free agency.
All the team’s additions though free agency has remade the New York Giants Depth Chart. However, some of those signings come with question marks. We’ve seen in the past that teams who spend big in free agency usually come to regret that decision.
Quarterback
Starter: Eli Manning
Backup: Ryan Nassib
Eli Manning has been extremely durable and effective throughout the course of his career. He’ll be asked to lead an underwhelming group of weapons this season. The offensive line is very shaky and Odell Beckham Jr is the only major difference maker in the passing game.
Running Back
Starter: Rashad Jennings
3rd Down: Shane Vereen
Backups: Andrew Williams and Paul Perkins
This is the same backfield as last year and we should expect to see the same results. Vereen may get a little more touches overall because of his ability as a pass catcher.
Fullback
Starter: Nikita Whitlock
Backup: Will Johnson
It’s highly unlikely the Giants keep two fullbacks on the roster, but it does appear that they’d like to feature one as a lead blocker.
Wide Receiver
Starters: Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard
No. 3: Dwayne Harris
Backups: Victor Cruz, Geremy Davis, Myles White and Tavarres King
New York needs rookie Sterling Shepard to quickly pick up the offense and make an immediate impact. They just don’t know what they’ll get from Victor Cruz which is why there’s a lot of pressure on Shepard.
Harris is a solid No. 3 receiver and showed some flashes of being more last year.
Tight End
Starter: Larry Donnell
Backups: Will Tye and Jerell Adams
Larry Donnell needs to stay healthy and show more consistency. He has the talent to be a major weapon in the passing game, but tends to disappear for long stretches. Look for Jerell Adams to push for playing time at some point during the season.
Left Tackle
Starter: Ereck Flowers
Backups: Marshall Newhouse and Brett Jones
I’m shocked that the Giants didn’t address the offensive line in the draft. The overall depth of the group is thin and they have players like Ereck Flowers playing out of position. Last year, we saw that Flowers is better suited to play right tackle due to his struggles protecting the edge.
Left Guard
Starter: Justin Pugh
Backups: Adam Gettis and Shane McDermott
Pugh might be the most consistent member of the offensive line. He’s a solid player, but isn’t someone who should be considered a top-level player.
Center
Starter: Weston Richburg
Backup: Shane McDermott
Richburg has solid season last year and is looking to build off that momentum.
Right Guard
Starter: John Jerry
Backups: Adam Gettis and Shane McDermott
Last year, John Jerry started to play to his talent and provide more consistency. He’s still a bit of a wildcard but New York doesn’t have anyone else to take his place.
Right Tackle
Starter: Bobby Hart
Backups: Marshall Newhouse and Bryon Stingily
Bobby Hart got 1 start last year and will be battling for a full-time starting gig during training camp. Reports are that he shed as much as 25 pounds which will help him hold up better in space.
Defensive End
Starters: Olivier Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul
Backups: Owamagbe Odighizuwa and Kerry Wynn
The Giants have a lot of money invested in this position and need these guys to produce. Vernon and Pierre-Paul have the potential to be among the best pass-rushing duos in the NFL. Their success this season could be the key to the Giants playoff hopes.
Defensive Tackle
Starters: Johnathan Hankins and Damon Harrison
Backups: Jay Bromley, Louis Nix III and Melvin Lewis
Both Hankins and Harrison are space-eaters who excel at stuffing the run. Neither brings much in the pass rush department which is why we could see Jay Bromley get snaps on 3rd down.
SAM Linebacker
Starter: Devon Kennard
Backups: Kelvin Sheppard, Mark Herzlich and Jonathan Casillas
Kennard is rounding into a solid linebacker thanks to his combination of athleticism and feel for the game.
Middle Linebacker
Starter: Keenan Robinson
Backups: BJ Goodson and Jasper Brinkley
Keenan Robinson will head into training camp as the starter, but look for rookie BJ Goodson to make a push for some playing time.
WILL Linebacker
Starter: JT Thomas
Backups: Kelvin Sheppard, Mark Herzlich and Jonathan Casillas
JT Thomas is a productive player when he’s on the field, but he has had issues staying healthy.
Cornerback
Starters: Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Nickelback: Eli Apple
Backups: Bennett Jackson, Leon McFadden and Trevin Wade
Most people were surprised when the Giants selected Eli Apple with the 10th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. They had plenty of needs elsewhere and while Apple has talent he was a bit of a reach at No. 10.
However, New York has built a strong cornerback group that is capable of holding up against the more explosive offenses in the league. The real key might be the consistency and play of Janoris Jenkins who received a huge contract in the offseason.
Safety
Starters: Landon Collins and Darian Thompson
Backups: Taylor Cooper, Mykkele Thompson and Nat Berhe
Landon Collins had his share if issues as a rookie, but that had a lot to do with the Giants asking him to play outside his comfort zone. Collins is an in-the-box safety who excels at supporting the run. The hope is that someone like rookie Darian Thompson can fill the center field role and allow Collins to play closer to the line.