The Giants were back at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center Tuesday as we inch closer to the start of the regular season.
By 4 p.m. Tuesday, all teams across the NFL had to reduce their rosters to 53 players, but more on that below.
The Giants held a one-hour practice today. Coach Brian Daboll spoke to reporters before the session, and offensive tackle Andrew Thomas and inside linebacker Bobby Okereke met with the media afterwards.
Here are five things we learned Tuesday.
1. Daboll: 'Roster is still fluid'
The Giants began the process of getting the roster down to 53 players on Sunday when they released 12 players. However, that still left general manager Joe Schoen and the staff with plenty of work to do ahead of the deadline. While the Giants did get their roster down to the league-mandated 53 players, Daboll told the media that the roster is still undergoing some changes and won't be solidified until later in the week.
"Tough couple of days," Daboll said to open his press conference. "Roster is still fluid. (I'm) not going to get into any specifics, at this point. Still got a couple days here to make adjustments if we need to, practice squad wise, claims and all those types of things. But certainly appreciate the players, like I told them. But in terms of specifics or individual players, we'll deal with more of that tomorrow."
The Giants were not awarded anyone off waivers following last year's cut-down day, as their 2022 playoff run led to them landing at No. 24 on the waiver claim order. But two years ago, the Giants were awarded four different players, including safety Jason Pinnock and cornerback Nick McCloud.
This year, the Giants are sixth in the waiver order. If an opportunity presents itself to put in a claim prior to Wednesday's noon deadline, Daboll said the team won't hesitate to try to improve the roster.
"Our scouts have been watching every preseason game," the head coach said. "There's college tape we've watched before. Anyone we think that can help improve our roster at any spot, that's what we'll try to do."
View photos of the New York Giants' 2024 active roster as it currently stands.
CB Deonte Banks
OLB Boogie Basham
TE Daniel Bellinger
S Dane Belton
OLB Brian Burns
DL Elijah Chatman
DL D.J. Davidson
QB Tommy DeVito
OL Jermaine Eluemunor
OL Joshua Ezeudu
CB Cor'Dale Flott
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton
K Graham Gano
P Jamie Gillan (6)
RB Eric Gray
CB Tre Hawkins III
WR Jalin Hyatt
CB Adoree' Jackson
S Anthony Johnson Jr.
FB/TE Jakob Johnson
TE Theo Johnson
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
G Jake Kubas
DL Dexter Lawrence II
QB Drew Lock
TE Chris Manhertz
CB Nick McCloud
LB Micah McFadden
ILB Darius Muasau
WR Malik Nabers
T Evan Neal
S Tyler Nubin
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches
OLB Azeez Ojulari
ILB Bobby Okereke
WR Gunner Olszewski
CB Dru Phillips
S Jason Pinnock
DL Jordon Riley
WR Wan'Dale Robinson
G Jon Runyan
C John Michael Schmitz Jr.
S/LB Isaiah Simmons
RB Devin Singletary
WR Darius Slayton
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
G Aaron Stinnie
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Andrew Thomas
RB Tyrone Tracy
G Greg Van Roten
OLB Benton Whitley
2. Giants announce 5 team captains
Daboll announced Tuesday afternoon that players have elected five team captains for the 2024 season:
- QB Daniel Jones
- OT Andrew Thomas
- DL Dexter Lawrence
- ILB Bobby Okereke
- LS Casey Kreiter
All five players had been voted team captain at least once prior to this year.
"I think for one, this year there is less captains," Thomas told the media. "So, I think that holds a little bit more weight. Guys respect you a lot more. We brought a lot of other veteran guys along, even if they're not captains, that have done a good job on both sides of the ball, just being leaders and trying to get everybody on the same page."
"Every year is a different year," Okereke added. "Every team's a new team. I think the best fit for our team this year was the five captains. Great guys who have different leadership styles, different experiences and wisdom, and I think we'll do a great job."
3. Starting O-line practice together for first time
The Giants put a lot of resources towards improving the offensive line this offseason. Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor were both signed on the first day of free agency, while Aaron Stinnie and Austin Schlottmann were added soon after. Following the start of training camp, veteran Greg Van Roten was also brought in to further solidify the unit.
Due to injuries over the first month of camp, the projected starting offensive line had not taken a single practice rep together. That changed on Tuesday, as Runyan returned to practice and slotted in at left guard, joining Andrew Thomas (left tackle), John Michael Schmitz (center), Van Roten (right guard) and Eluemunor (right tackle). With the starting line all back practicing, Thomas believes the group has plenty of time to gel prior to the Week 1 matchup against the Vikings.
"It's great to have everybody back," Thomas said. "We need these reps. I think we have seven or eight practices before the first game so we need every rep we can get."
Thomas later added, "GV and Jermaine, they were with (Offensive Line Coach) Carm (Carmen Bricillo) in a similar system in (Las) Vegas, so I think that helps a lot. And Runyan has obviously played a lot of ball for Green Bay. I think it's just a matter of being on the same page as far as language. But the schemes… Everybody, they've seen every play there is. So, I think we're going be okay."
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2024 cycle.
WR Chase Cota - Waived, Injury Settlement (September 13)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing (September 10)
G Cade Mays - Practice Squad Exception (September 10)
OT Marcellus Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 10)
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette - Free Agent Signing (September 9)
LB Curtis Bolton - Practice Squad Veteran (September 9)
LB Carter Coughlin - Practice Squad; Injured (September 9)
LB Ty Summers - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 7)
LB Carter Coughlin - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 7)
LB Curtis Bolton - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 7)
ILB Carter Coughlin - Practice Squad Veteran (September 6)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 6)
ILB Carter Coughlin - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 5)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (September 4)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (September 3)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Practice Squad Veteran (September 2)
WR Miles Boykin - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 2)
CB Adoree' Jackson - Free Agent Signing (August 31)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 31)
S Gervarrius Owens - Practice Squad (August 30)
LB K.J. Cloyd - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (August 30)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (August 29)
C Austin Schlottmann - Reserve/Injured (August 29)
DB Duke Shelley - Practice Squad Veteran (August 29)
DE Elijah Garcia - Practice Squad (August 29)
DB Art Green - Practice Squad (August 29)
LB Curtis Bolton - Free Agent Signing (August 28)
ILB Dyontae Johnson - Reserve/Injured (August 28)
OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exception (August 28)
C Jimmy Morrissey - Practice Squad Exception (August 28)
K Jude McAtamney - International Practice Player Signing (August 28)
WR Miles Boykin, TE Lawrence Cager, WR Isaiah Hodgins, FB/TE Jakob Johnson, OT Joshua Miles, LB Ty Summers - Practice Squad Veteran (August 28)
LB K.J. Cloyd, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, DB Raheem Layne, RB Dante Miller, DL Casey Rogers - Practice Squad (August 28)
S Anthony Johnson - Claimed off Waivers from GB (August 28)
S Gervarrius Owens - Waived, No Recall (August 28)
LB Matthew Adams - Reserve/Injured - Designated for Return (August 27)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Reserve/Injured; Prior to Cut to 53 (August 27)
LB Darrian Beavers, LB K.J. Cloyd, LB Tomon Fox, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, DB Raheem Layne, K Jude McAtamney, RB Dante Miller, C Jimmy Morrissey, DT Casey Rogers, TE Jack Stoll - Waived (August 27)
WR Miles Boykin, TE Lawrence Cager, DB Tre Herndon, WR Isaiah Hodgins, DB Darnay Holmes, FB/TE Jakob Johnson, DB David Long, OT Joshua Miles, OT Matt Nelson, WR Allen Robinson - Terminated, Vested Veteran (August 27)
DB Mario Goodrich, G Jalen Mayfield, DE Ovie Oghoufo - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 27)
RB Joshua Kelley - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 25)
DB Breon Borders - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 25)
DB Jonathan Sutherland - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 25)
DT Timmy Horne - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 25)
WR Ayir Asante, DT Kyler Baugh, DB Christian Holmes, DB Clayton Isbell, WR John Jiles, LB Trey Kiser, RB Lorenzo Lingard, T Marcus McKethan - Waived, No Recall (August 25)
DB Clayton Isbell - Free Agent Signing (August 20)
WR Dennis Houston - Waived/Injured (August 20)
DT Kyler Baugh - Free Agent Signing (August 19)
LB Trey Kiser - Free Agent Signing (August 19)
DL Ryder Anderson - Waived/Injured (August 19)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Reserve/Injured (August 19)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing (August 16)
TE Tyree Jackson - Waived/Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 16)
RB Joshua Kelley - Free Agent Signing (August 15)
S Raheem Layne - Free Agent Signing (August 15)
S Jonathan Sutherland - Free Agent Signing (August 15)
DL Jordan Phillips - Traded to Dallas Cowboys (August 15)
S Jalen Mills - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Failed Physical (August 15)
DB Elijah Riley - Reserve/Injured (August 15)
RB Lorenzo Lingard - Free Agent Signing (August 12)
RB Jacob Saylors - Waived, No Recall (August 11)
OT Evan Neal - Passed Physical (August 11)
DB Kaleb Hayes - Waived, No Recall (August 11)
LB K.J. Cloyd - Free Agent Signing (August 11)
CB Christian Holmes - Claimed off Waivers from WAS (August 5)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Waived/Injured (August 5)
CB Mario Goodrich - Claimed off Waivers from PHI (July 31)
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Non-Football Injury (July 31)
OL Greg Van Roten - Free Agent Signing (July 30)
CB Aaron Robinson - Waived, Failed Physical (July 30)
DB Breon Borders - Free Agent Signing (July 28)
QB Nathan Rourke - Waived, No Recall (July 28)
TE Theo Johnson - Passed Physical (July 28)
OT Evan Neal - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 23)
CB Aaron Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 23)
DB Jalen Mills - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 23)
DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 23)
TE Theo Johnson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 16)
RB Jacob Saylors - Free Agent Signing (June 18)
WR Chase Cota - Reserve/Injured (June 18)
CB Tre Herndon - Free Agent Signing (June 12)
TE Darren Waller - Reserve/Retired (June 10)
S Tyler Nubin - Selection List Signing (May 31)
DB Elijah Riley - Free Agent Signing (May 30)
RB Gary Brightwell - Waived, Injured (May 30)
TE Theo Johnson - Selection List Signing (May 22)
LB Darius Muasau - Selection List Signing (May 15)
CB Dru Phillips - Selection List Signing (May 14)
DL Elijah Chatman - Free Agent Signing (May 13)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Waived (May 13)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. - Selection List Signing (May 10)
WR Malik Nabers - Selection List Signing (May 10)
K Jude McAtamney - Free Agent Signing: Exempt/International Player (May 10)
WR Ayir Asante, WR John Jiles, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, G Jake Kubas, DE Ovie Oghoufo, DL Casey Rogers - Free Agent Signing (May 10)
RB Deon Jackson - Waived, Injured (May 10)
WR Allen Robinson - Free Agent Signing (May 9)
QB Nathan Rourke - Claimed off waivers from New England (May 7)
DB David Long - Free Agent Signing (May 1)
Giants select LB Darius Muasau with No. 183 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. with No. 166 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select TE Theo Johnson with No. 107 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select CB Dru Phillips with No. 70 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select S Tyler Nubin with No. 47 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select WR Malik Nabers with No. 6 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
DB Nick McCloud - Restricted Free Agent Signing (April 15)
LB Matthew Adams - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 12)
DL Jordan Phillips - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 11)
WR Miles Boykin - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 9)
S/LB Isaiah Simmons - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 5)
RB Dante Miller - Free Agent Signing (April 5)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Free Agent Signing (March 24)
CB Darnay Holmes - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 22)
OT Matt Nelson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 22)
OL Austin Schlottmann - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
OL Aaron Stinnie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
TE Chris Manhertz - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
TE Jack Stoll - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 15)
OL Jon Runyan - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
OL Jermaine Eluemunor - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
RB Devin Singletary - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
QB Drew Lock - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
DB Jalen Mills - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
WR/PR Gunner Olszewski - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
LB Carter Coughlin - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
OLB Brian Burns - Acquired via trade with Carolina Panthers (March 13)
LB Benton Whitley - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 12)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 12)
G Mark Glowinski - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 4)
C Jimmy Morrissey - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
WR Chase Cota - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
LB Tomon Fox - Reserve/Future Signing (January 10)
DL Ryder Anderson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
DB Kaleb Hayes - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
WR Dennis Houston - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
RB Deon Jackson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
ILB Dyontae Johnson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
G Jalen Mayfield - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OT Joshua Miles - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
4. Burns adds 'flexibility, speed, athleticism'
Similar to some of the other starting defensive players, Brian Burns' only action in the preseason came in the matchup against the Texans. While he played limited snaps in that game, he certainly made his presence felt. With the Texans facing fourth-and-goal, Burns used an impressive spin move to get around the offensive tackle and get into the face of Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was forced to quickly get rid of the ball. Dexter Lawrence ended up batting the ball down at the line of scrimmage, forcing a turnover on downs.
"Obviously, we saw in the Texans game, the ball was getting out quick," Okereke said about Burns' impact. "Quarterback really doesn't have an option, but he just adds an extra dynamic of flexibility, speed, athleticism on the edge that we haven't had."
The addition of Burns should make things difficult for opposing offensive lines, as they now have to account for the two-time Pro Bowler, Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
"Now you can't just double Dex and decide to have one-on-ones," said Okereke. "You've got KT, who finished 11 and a half sacks last year. You've got Burns, who's signed to a big contract. You've got Dex, so it's a kind of pick-your-poison right there."
5. Slayton has 'been Mr. Steady'
A lot has been made over the last few months about the Giants' 2024 wide receiver corps. Between the selection of Malik Nabers at No. 6, the return of a fully healthy Wan'Dale Robinson, and Jalin Hyatt heading into his second NFL season, there has been a growing buzz surrounding the group. But it is Darius Slayton who has emerged as a leader of the group.
Since arriving to the Giants as a fifth-round pick in 2019, Slayton has been consistent. The veteran wideout has finished with 700+ receiving yards in four of his five seasons, totaling 220 receptions for 3,324 yards and 19 touchdowns. When talking to reporters Tuesday, Daboll praised the 27-year-old for his dependability over the years.
"He's been here for a while. He's been consistent. He's a dependable player," Daboll told the media. "The quarterback has a lot of trust in him. He's done everything we've asked him to do since I've been here. Was productive before I got here. He's been Mr. Steady for us. One of the steady guys offensively we've had here the last couple years."
When asked whether or not the younger receivers lean on Slayton for advice, Daboll added, "Yeah, absolutely. Again, he's got a lot of experience playing, been productive, knows our system, and (they) have a lot of confidence in (Darius) Slay(ton)."
