New York Giants wide receiver battle for final 53 spots
The New York Giants wide receiver room is the thorniest cutdown puzzle entering the final preseason week. Analysts diverge on Odell Beckham Jr.: ESPN and NorthJersey keep him among seven wideouts, while The Athletic cuts him for Braxton Berrios' return skills after Beckham's touchdown drop vs. Miami.
Key Takeaways
- The Giants must cut to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET Sunday after Friday's preseason finale against the Jets.
- Wide receiver is the hardest call under new coach John Harbaugh, with Odell Beckham Jr. on the bubble.
- Outside linebackers Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux are widely projected as locks.
- Cornerback and interior defensive line are flagged as thin spots the team may still upgrade.
- Rookie Dominic Zvada is projected to win the kicking job over Ben Sauls.
New York opens the regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13 at MetLife Stadium. First comes one more preseason game Friday against the Jets, then final cuts. For more market-moving sports and finance coverage, see our Fintech & Crypto Alerts hub.
Who makes the New York Giants wide receiver cut?
Per ESPN's projection, wide receiver will force the hardest decisions, with Beckham and Braxton Berrios among the big names. Beckham has shown he remains a capable receiver this summer, but ESPN questions whether a sixth or seventh wideout who does not play special teams is worth a roster spot—and notes Dalen Cambre could make more sense.
The Athletic keeps six receivers—Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, Calvin Austin III, and Berrios—and leaves Beckham off after his dropped touchdown against Miami. Berrios' return flexibility tipped the scale. NorthJersey.com's Art Stapleton projects seven, including both Beckham and Berrios, arguing Beckham has done everything asked.
How many running backs will New York keep?
All three outlets lean toward four: Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, and recent addition Najee Harris. The Athletic cites Skattebo's ankle history and Harris' Achilles recovery as reasons to keep depth. Tracy's fumble and missed block have clouded his No. 2 status. Singletary's 40 yards and a touchdown vs. Miami helped his case, though he could land on the practice squad if numbers tighten.
Which positions look thinnest before Week 1?
Cornerback is repeatedly flagged as unsettled from top to bottom, with Paulson Adebo, Greg Newsome II, Dru Phillips, and Deonte Banks in the mix and possible upgrades still sought. Interior defensive line is another priority: general manager Joe Schoen has said the team will keep looking for upgrades through cutdown. Outside linebacker—Burns, Carter, and Thibodeaux—is widely called the strongest group.
Specialists are projected as Dominic Zvada (K), Jordan Stout (P), and undrafted rookie Ben Mann (LS), with Zvada edging Ben Sauls after a strong summer.