The New York Giants open the 2023 NFL season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 10, at MetLife Stadium.
Before that, the most difficult roster decisions for the Giants will be at wide receiver. Cole Beasley, Jamison Crowder and even Collin Johnson (who likely would have started last year if not for a torn Achilles) are among those on the bubble at the crowded position.
But that's not the only position at which coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen will have to think long and hard (see: cornerback, safety and offensive line).
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is the final projection for the Giants:
QUARTERBACK (2): Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor
It's still just Jones and Taylor. Tommy DeVito proved this summer he's worth keeping around on the practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (4): Saquon Barkley, Matt Breida, Eric Gray, Jashaun Corbin
The first three names on this list were locks from the start. Corbin had a strong preseason and has impressed on special teams. Gary Brightwell is the odd man out. A late-summer injury didn't help.
WIDE RECEIVER (7): Parris Campbell, Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Jalin Hyatt, Sterling Shepard, Cole Beasley, Collin Johnson
Wan'Dale Robinson begins the season on PUP just nine months after ACL surgery. Johnson snuck his way onto the roster after undrafted rookie Bryce Ford-Wheaton hurt his knee in the preseason finale against the Jets. Jamison Crowder gets squeezed in the numbers game.
TIGHT END (3): Darren Waller, Daniel Bellinger, Lawrence Cager
Waller is the team's No. 1 receiver. Cager is his backup as a move tight end. Couldn't put Tommy Sweeney on the roster at this point. His "medical event" this past week puts his season and future in jeopardy.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Andrew Thomas, Evan Neal, Tyre Phillips, Mark Glowinski, Ben Bredeson, Joshua Ezeudu, John Michael Schmitz Jr., Matt Peart, Jack Anderson
It was hard to even get a ninth lineman. Don't be surprised to see the Giants look toward the waiver wire for reinforcements on the line. Recently signed Julien Davenport also could factor into the mix.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, A'Shawn Robinson, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Jordon Riley
Riley has been especially impressive this summer. He beats out D.J. Davidson, who lands on the practice squad coming off a torn ACL.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Darrian Beavers, Carter Coughlin, Isaiah Simmons
McFadden will start alongside Okereke. Coughlin is the best special teams player on the roster, and this team needs to prioritize special teams after last season. Simmons is the latest addition and an intriguing piece for defensive coordinator Wink Martindale to use all over the field. Cam Brown gets squeezed with the arrival of Simmons.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Jihad Ward, Tomon Fox
This is another position where reinforcements are likely on the way. The coaching staff likes Fox, while Oshane Ximines just hasn't made an impression. Habakkuk Baldonado probably did enough to land on the practice squad.
CORNERBACK (6): Adoree' Jackson, Deonte Banks, Cor'Dale Flott, Amani Oruwariye, Tre Hawkins III, Darnay Holmes
Banks and Hawkins have been impressive this summer and are staples with the first-team defense, while Jackson has played plenty in the slot. Holmes remains as the next best option in the slot unless Schoen can find something better.
SAFETY (5): Xavier McKinney, Jason Pinnock, Dane Belton, Gervarrius Owens, Nick McCloud
Pinnock has earned a starting role with Belton as his backup. McCloud is a player the Giants like, even though he missed a good chunk of time recently with a leg injury. Veteran Bobby McCain never seemed to gain traction this summer and got left off this projection.
SPECIALISTS (3): Graham Gano (K), Jamie Gillan (P), Casey Kreiter (LS)
This trio was never in doubt.