Projecting NY Giants' 53-man roster as training camp begins

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. - John Harbaugh is not thinking solely about tomorrow. Or the next day.

Just about everything his New York Giants do on the practice fields and in the meeting rooms here at The Greenbrier Resort has a singular focus: being ready for the Dallas Cowboys in their Week 1 "Sunday Night Football" showdown.

The offseason program was not necessarily about competition, more so technique and assignments.

Training camp is about getting ready for the real thing to the slightest detail in preparation and performance.

"We're chasing execution," Harbaugh said. "We're chasing execution. We're at a stage now, we're getting ready for the games. I mean, that's what practice is for. We're not here to practice. It's not a training camp exercise. We're here to prepare for the games that we're going to play. What plays we call, how we practice, all those things. We're not just running plays out here to run plays. That's why we want to keep our plays to ourselves when we're doing them out here. So, that's what we're evaluating: our execution."

Here is our initial weekly 53-man projection of the summer and notes on the depth chart:

New York Giants  roster projection

OFFENSE (25)

Quarterbacks (2)

Starter: Jaxson Dart

Backup: Jameis Winston

What to know: Dart and Winston together form one of the league's most underrated QB tandems, given Dart's ceiling and Winston's fit as his mentor and team leader. The Giants have Brandon Allen here as a QB3 with great familiarity with QB coach/pass game coordinator Brian Callahan, but he'd have to make a really strong and surprising push to keep a third at the position on the active roster.

Running backs (3)

Starter: Cam Skattebo

Backups: Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary

What to know: Skattebo participated in his first full practice on the first day of camp Wednesday, July 29, and he continues to show promise in his recovery from a gruesome ankle and lower leg injury last October. He's going to be the lead back and is an underrated receiver. Tracy is an all-purpose threat and is in sync as 1-2 punch with Skattebo. Singletary might be a better fit in this run scheme helped orchestrated by senior offensive assistant Greg Roman than Brian Daboll's offense. We'll see if the Giants opt to bring in another veteran later in camp or during the preseason. Undrafted rookie Damon Bankston could take a leap in the preseason if he makes the most of his chances.

Wide receiver (7)

Starters: Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Calvin Austin

Backups: Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios

What to know: Nabers was the story of Day 1 and he took a huge step forward by participating in individual drills. He's the straw that stirs this drink and the Giants need him at his best. Slayton also participated without limitation after missing the spring following sports hernia surgery. Austin has been quietly developing a nice rapport with Dart. Fields can be an X-factor, especially in the run game. They might have just one spot for Mooney, Beckham, Berrios and JuJu Smith-Schuster. If Beckham stays healthy, he should be on the team. Berrios, also in the mix at returner, is in the same boat.

Tight ends (4)

Starters: Isaiah Likely, Theo Johnson, Patrick Ricard (FB)

Backup: Chris Manhertz

What to know: Likely and Johnson should be significant contributors. Ricard works out of this position group and his presence will help set the tone in the run game. Manhertz had a strong first day of camp and is a pro's pro with his strength as an in-line run blocker.

Offensive line (9)

Starters: Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan, John Michael Schmitz, Sisi Mauigoa, Jermaine Eluemunor

Backups: Marcus Mbow, Daniel Faalele, Lucas Patrick, J.C. Davis

What to know: The alignment of the starting OL has not changed since Mauigoa was drafted 10th overall and penciled into the right guard spot. Cutting Runyan would result in the addition of $9 million in salary cap space, but at this point, he is the best they have at LG. Could Faalele, who has started the last two seasons for Harbaugh in Baltimore, emerge and push him? It's possible, of course, buy I'm sticking for now with Runyah. Mbow is the swing tackle and he'll seek to build on a solid rookie year in relatively limited duty.

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DEFENSE (28)

Defensive line (6)

Starters: D.J. Reader, Darius Alexander, Shelby Harris

Backups: Bobby Jamison-Travis, Leki Fotu, Sam Roberts

What to know: The Giants will mix and match in looking to find the right combination to help this run defense. Reader and Harris are solid pros. Alexander is a breakout candidate. Jamison-Travis has the proper profile to build on. We'll go an extra player at this position and Roberts should make a push now that he has passed his physical and been removed from the PUP list.

Outside linebacker (4)

Starters: Brian Burns, Abdul Carter

Backups: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Chauncey Golston

What to know: Burns and Carter have a chance to be one of the most productive rush tandems in the league, provided the latter continues to ascend after a strong finish to his rookie season. If this defense reaches its potential, Thibodeaux will be one of the biggest reasons.

Inside linebacker (4)

Starters: Tremaine Edmunds, Arvell Reese

Backups: Micah McFadden, Jack Kelly

What to know: Reese's best fit in the NFL from jump is exactly where the Giants are planning to play him: next to Edmunds and in the middle of the defense. Edmunds will wear the green dot on his helmet as the signal caller. McFadden is an extremely valuable reserve. Kelly is a promising sixth round rookie.

Cornerback (6)

Starters: Paulson Adebo, Greg Newsome

Backups: Colton Hood, Dru Phillips, Tae Banks, Art Green

What to know: The Giants have more confidence in their c...

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →