Several Giants make CBS Sports' preseason All-NFC East Team
With the preseason now over, the Giants' focus has turned towards the start of the regular season.
But before Week 1 begins, CBS Sports' Jared Dubin examined the best players at each position in the Giants' division and named his preseason All-NFC East Team.
The Giants had several representatives on the list, starting with running back Saquon Barkley. The fifth-year running back got the nod over Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, Philadelphia's Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott, and Washington's Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic.
Third-year tackle Andrew Thomas was also selected following his promising 2021 campaign in which he ranked 12th among all tackles with his 82.1 pass block grade from Pro Football Focus. Dubin labeled the Giants left tackle as an "emerging young star."
Moving over to the defense, defensive lineman Leonard Williams made the team "because he could be unleashed in new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale's highly-aggressive scheme." Williams was recently named to the NFL Top 100 where he landed at No. 97. His 44 quarterback hits since the start of 2020 are tied for the seventh-most among defensive linemen, and his 18.0 sacks are tied for fifth-most in that span. In 2021, his 81 tackles were the fourth-most by a defensive lineman, three fewer than three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.
Despite missing most of last season with an ACL injury, inside linebacker Blake Martinez made the list. "Martinez played in only three games last year but prior to that was a consistent force against the run and showed improvement in coverage," Dubin wrote. "We're betting on a bounce-back."
The final representative from the Giants is talented third-year safety Xavier McKinney, who led the team with five interceptions last season. McKinney's 75.4 overall grade from PFF ranked 14th among the league's safeties, while his 78.4 coverage grade was the 12th best mark at the position.
Barkley, Thomas, Williams and McKinney were named among the Giants' captains for the 2022 season.
View the best photos from training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Darnay Holmes (30)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll fist bumps quaterback Daniel Jones (8) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Daniel Jones (8)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Daniel Jones (8)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Evan Neal (73)
Adoree' Jackson (22), Julian Love (20)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
LS Casey Kreiter (58)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
David Sills (13)
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 7, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Darnay Holmes
Don Martindale Defensive Coordinator
Julian Love
G Ben Bredeson (68)
TE Daniel Bellinger (45)
Matt Breida (31)
WR David Sills V (13)
WR David Sills (13)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
RB Matt Breida (31)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
David Sills (13)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
Blake Martinez (54)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Angela Baker Offensive Quality Control Coach
Andrew Thomas (78), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Matt Breida (31)
David Sills (13)
Blake Martinez (54)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Evan Neal (73)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Laura Young Director of Coaching Operations
Matt Breida (31)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
Carl Banks
G Ben Bredeson (68)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Jamie Gillan (17), Graham Gano (9)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
David Sills V (13)
Saquon Barkley (26)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
Saquon Barkley (26), Lawrence Cager (81)
RB Matt Breida (31)
Brandon Jacobs talks to team post-practice
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
Justin Ellis (71)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Amani Toomer
WR Kenny Golladay (19), RB Saquon Barkley (26)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
OL Mark Glowinski (64)
P Jamie Gillan (17)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Kadarius Toney (89)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
Tae Crowder (48)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Daniel Jones (8)
Davis Sills (13)
Julian Love (20), Adoree' Jackson (22)
Daniel Jones (8)
Andrew Thomas (78), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), Daniel Jones (8)
Julian Love (20)
Evan Neal (70), Mark Glowinski (64)
Eli Manning
Tyrod Taylor (2)
David Sills (13)
Head Coach Brian Daboll, Eli Manning,
S Julian Love (20)
Tyrod Taylor (2)
K Graham Gano (9), P Jamie Gillan (17)
Justin Ellis (71)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Blake Martinez (54)
Tae Crowder (48)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
OT Evan Neal (70)
Daniel Jones (8)
Osi Umenyiora
Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
LB Blake Martinez (54)
Darnay Holmes (30)
S Julian Love (20)
Kadarius Toney (89)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Don " Wink" Martindale during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday July 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Saquon Barkley (26)
DT Justin Ellis (71)
Leonard Williams (99)
Daniel Bellinger (45)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
WR Kenny Golladay (19), QB Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26), Micheal Strahan
S Julian Love (20)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
OL Jon Feliciano (76)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
DL Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
New York Giants players huddle during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday July 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
T Andrew Thomas (78), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks with Osi Umenyiora during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 7, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday July 30, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)gets blocked by New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (45) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 19, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive coordinator Don Wink Martindale during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offense huddles during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks with former NFL coach Bill Cowher during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants' Kadarius Toney (89) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 1, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 1, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll waves to his family following a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll introduce boys from the San Miguel Academy following training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 3, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a preseason NFL football game against New England Patriots on Thursday August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants players huddle during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 9, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday July 29, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 9, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 9, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 9, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll signals touchdown during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
A look down the line of scrimmage during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 25, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll fist bumps quaterback Daniel Jones (8) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 28, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks with New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 25, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (70) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive tackle Justin Ellis (71) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (70) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 24, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Ronnie Barnes during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 8, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll watches from the sideline during a pre-season football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday August 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants' wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday July 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants announce 53-man roster for 2022
The Giants yesterday released 20 players - including their leading passer, receiver and tackler in the just-concluded preseason - to reach the NFL regular-season limit of 53 players. The 20 players were split 10 apiece on offense and offense.
Quarterback Davis Webb, wide receiver Alex Bachman and safety Nate Meadors were the significant August producers who were cut.
Officially, Webb was one of five veterans whose contract were terminated. The others were wide receiver C.J. Board, guard Jamil Douglas, tackle Will Holden and defensive end Jalyn Holmes.
Bachman and Meadors were among the 15 players who were waived. They were joined by running back Jashaun Corbin; wide receiver Jaylon Moore; tight end Austin Allen; offensive linemen Garrett McGhin and Roy Mbaeteka; defensive linemen David Moa and Ryan Anderson; linebacker Quincy Roche; cornerbacks Khalil Dorsey, Darren Evans, Zyon Gilbert and Harrison Hand; and safety Trenton Thompson.
The Giants began the process of winnowing down the roster Monday when they waived wide receivers Keelan Doss and Travis Toivonen; guard Josh Rivas; defensive backs Olaijah Griffin and Yusuf Corker; and kicker Ryan Santoso and terminated the contract of veteran offensive lineman Eric Smith.
"We met with a lot of players today, this morning and yesterday," coach Brian Daboll said Tuesday. "And again, I've said this before, it's always a tough time of year for players and I'd say for the rest of the people in the organization.
"These guys put a lot of time and effort and energy into doing everything they can do to create a role for themselves, and it's tough when you're talking to each individual. And each individual is different. Each individual handles things different. But I think that relationship that you build when you have to tell somebody that they didn't make it, that's always – at least for me – that's tough."
View photos of the New York Giants' 2022 roster as it currently stands.
OL Jack Anderson
DL Ryder Anderson
RB Saquon Barkley
TE Daniel Bellinger
S Dane Belton
G Ben Bredeson
RB Matt Breida
RB Gary Brightwell
LB Cam Brown
TE Lawrence Cager
S Landon Collins
LB Carter Coughlin
LB Jarrad Davis
G Wyatt Davis
DL Justin Ellis
OL Jon Feliciano
CB Cor'Dale Flott
OLB Tomon Fox
K Graham Gano
OL Nick Gates
P Jamie Gillan
G Mark Glowinski
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Isaiah Hodgins
CB Darnay Holmes
CB Adoree' Jackson
WR Richie James
S Tony Jefferson
WR Marcus Johnson
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
DL Dexter Lawrence
S Julian Love
CB Nick McCloud
LB Micah McFadden
S Xavier McKinney
DL Henry Mondeaux
CB Fabian Moreau
T Evan Neal
OLB Azeez Ojulari
T Matt Peart
OL Tyre Phillips
S Jason Pinnock
WR Darius Slayton
ILB Jaylon Smith
QB Tyrod Taylor
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
T Andrew Thomas
TE Nick Vannett
OLB Jihad Ward
DL Leonard Williams
CB Rodarius Williams
LB Oshane Ximines
Giants vote team captains for 2022 season
Casey Kreiter plays a position where anonymity is good, and recognition normally happens only because of a mistake. But Kreiter today received some very welcome attention when his teammates selected him one of the Giants' 10 captains for the 2022 season.
"As a long snapper you kind of do your job," Kreiter said. "And when people don't say your name, that's a good thing. This is one of the times it's good people are saying your name."
The team's other captains are Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley and Andrew Thomas on offense, Xavier McKinney, Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence on defense, Graham Gano and Cam Brown on special teams, plus Julian Love, who received numerous votes as both a safety and special teamer.
"He got a good amount of votes on both sides, so he was the last one we announced this morning after the walkthrough," coach Brian Daboll said of Love. "But all well-deserved, I think. All of them exhibit good leadership, and I think that's a testament to them that they're voted on by their peers. So, those will be our captains."
