The New York Giants open training camp for the 2020 NFL season on July 28 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants finished the 2019 regular season 4-12, marking the fifth time over the past six seasons they have failed to reach seven victories. The Giants, who return 18 starters, are still near the beginning of their rebuild under first-year coach Joe Judge. They feature new coordinators on offense (Jason Garrett) and defense (Patrick Graham), a second-year quarterback (Daniel Jones) and a defense that is a work in progress. Here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Daniel Jones, Colt McCoy, Cooper Rush
This is a new coaching staff. They want their own guys behind Jones, who is the unequivocal starter. McCoy was signed as a free agent this offseason, and Rush was claimed off waivers from the Cowboys. The same Cowboys who had Garrett as their head coach last season. Rush's potential and experience in Garrett's offense leaves Pat Shurmur favorite Alex Tanney out of the mix.
RUNNING BACK (3): Saquon Barkley, Wayne Gallman, Javon Leake
The Giants are still going to lean on Barkley, maybe more than ever. Gallman remains the second-best runner on the roster, and Leake's playmaking ability could make him a more attractive option than recently signed Dion Lewis, who is expendable after signing a free-agent deal that included no guaranteed money. Expect Judge to favor promising young players over middling veterans for the back end of the roster. This is a team with its eyes on the future.
FULLBACK (1): Elijhaa Penny
He played well last season and provides versatility with his ability to run and catch the ball out of the backfield. Penny allows for the Giants to keep only three natural tailbacks. Look for the fullback's role to increase this year in the Giants' new run-centric offense.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Sterling Shepard, Golden Tate, Darius Slayton, Corey Coleman, Cody Core, Austin Mack
There might not be a natural No. 1 receiver on the roster, but it's a solid group with some interesting bottom-of-the roster candidates. Shepard, Tate and Slayton are the clear-cut top three options. Coleman has worked tirelessly over the past year to get back from a torn ACL. Core was re-signed because he can contribute as a receiver and provides significant special teams value. It's just a matter of which young receiver (Mack, Alex Bachman, Derrick Dillon are some names to watch) catches the coaches' eyes in training camp.
TIGHT END (4): Evan Engram, Kaden Smith, Levine Toilolo, Eric Tomlinson
Engram's talent is undeniable. But can he stay healthy? Smith showed last year that he was, at least, a capable fill-in starter. The previous regime raved about his long-term prospects. Toilolo and Tomlinson were brought in for a specific purpose -- to block in what is likely to be a tight-end-heavy offense.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Nate Solder, Andrew Thomas, Will Hernandez, Kevin Zeitler, Cameron Fleming, Spencer Pulley, Nick Gates, Shane Lemieux, Matt Peart
This is a young and eclectic group. Three spots will belong to recent draft picks Thomas, Lemieux and Peart. The tackle position has been revamped with Thomas, Fleming and Peart being added this offseason. Kyle Murphy is also another player to watch as an undrafted rookie. As for center, the Giants will hold an open tryout this summer with Gates, Pulley and Lemieux among those in the mix.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, Dalvin Tomlinson, B.J. Hill, Austin Johnson
Perhaps the easiest position to forecast. Williams, Lawrence and Tomlinson are the starters barring an injury in camp. Hill, a capable third-year pro, will have a spot in the rotation, and Johnson gets the nod over recent draftees RJ McIntosh and Chris Slayton after he was signed as a free agent earlier this year.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Lorenzo Carter, Kyler Fackrell, Oshane Ximines, Chris Peace, Carter Coughlin
Markus Golden might be added to this group, but for now he's not on the roster. Carter, Fackrell and Ximines are locks. They will be expected to make significant contributions this season. The Giants are banking on at least one of them breaking out. Peace is an interesting prospect with ability that the new coaching staff might be able to mold. Coughlin and Cam Brown are among the late-round draftees who must play themselves onto the roster.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Blake Martinez, Ryan Connelly, David Mayo, T.J. Brunson
The Giants signed Martinez to be their playcaller. Mayo and Connelly, coming off a torn knee, will compete to start alongside Martinez. After that there will be a logjam of young linebackers competing for the final spot or two. Brunson brings special teams value and will have to beat out Tae Crowder, Mark McLaurin and Josiah Tauaefa, among others, at the linebacker spot.
CORNERBACK (5): James Bradberry, Sam Beal, Corey Ballentine, Darnay Holmes, Grant Haley
No DeAndre Baker on this list. There is just too much uncertainty with his availability to count on anything at this point. It's more likely than not he never plays another snap for the Giants. This is still a young group overall with a lot of questions and plenty of nickel options.
SAFETY (4): Xavier McKinney, Jabrill Peppers, Julian Love, Chris Williamson
Peppers, McKinney and Love will have significant roles. Williams provides versatility and upside as a fourth safety, or what the Giants will call the star/nickel position.
SPECIALIST (4): Aldrick Rosas, Riley Dixon, Casey Kreiter, Nate Ebner
Rosas' off-the-field hiccup doesn't seem likely to cost him a roster spot, although he still needs to have a strong camp. Dixon is more locked in after a strong 2019 season. The Giants and Judge signed Ebner, who played for Judge in New England, to be their special teams ace.