Giants-Dolphins ‘things I think’: Difficult roster decisions loom
· Yahoo Sports
Head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen face some excruciatingly difficult decisions when it comes to setting the New York Giants’ season-opening 53-man roster. That is the most important ‘thing I think’ after Saturday’s one-sided 26-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
“There’s a lot of guys fighting for jobs on this team,” Harbaugh said after the game. “And I thought they came out and they made a point to try to make their case. And they did a good job of it.”
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Here is a look at five of the places where decisions need to be made.
Running back
This really becomes the Tyrone Tracy question.
The addition of Najee Harris has changed the equation. Do the Giants have room to keep five running backs, including fullback Patrick Ricard?
Harris, Cam Skattebo, and Ricard are staying. In my view, so is Devin Singletary. The veteran back just keeps making plays, and his reliability is clearly something Harbaugh appreciates. Here is what Harbaugh said about Singletary after he gained 40 yards on eight carries, including a 13-yard touchdown run, Saturday:
“He did great. He played like he always plays. He is one of the most consistent players you’re ever going to see.”
Which leads us to Tracy.
He is a good player. Back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons from scrimmage are nothing to sneeze at. He did not compile those seasons for Harbaugh, though. What he has done for Harbaugh is make huge mistakes in two straight games. No matter what he did for Brian Daboll the past two seasons, if Harbaugh doesn’t trust him to keep Jaxson Dart healthy or hold on to the ball, how or why would he use him?
I believe Tracy should stay. He is a good back. What, though, if the Giants look at their roster and think five backs is one too many? Could they swing a deal for Tracy like the one they did for Daniel Faalele?
Wide receiver
Unless they have injuries we don’t know about, the way to take Darnell Mooney and Braxton Berrios not dressing for Saturday’s game is that their roster spots are secure.
That means six wide receivers — Malik Nabers, Mooney, Berrios, Malachi Fields, Calvin Austin, Darius Slayton — have roster spots.
Can the Giants find room for a seventh? And, would that seventh be the sentimental choice, Odell Beckham Jr., or the special teams ace, Dalen Cambre?
There are arguments for both. Beckham can still get open, but can’t play special teams and would likely be the last receiver on the depth chart. Cambre is a special teams first player, but keeps showing he can be useful if needed as a receiver.
Offensive line
How many offensive linemen can the Giants keep? And, which ones should be the backups?
One player who has earned a spot is Josh Ezeudu. Of course, this happened in the second half on Saturday so Ezeudu’s health is now a question we have to ask Harbaugh about when he holds a call with media Sunday afternoon:
Josh Ezeudu banged up and limping off pic.twitter.com/gjwrvqn9oX
— Giants Nation Show (@GiantsNationPod) August 22, 2026
Until recently, I felt rookie sixth-round pick J.C. Davis was headed to the practice squad. Now? After he played 81 snaps, and played them well, at left tackle against the Dolphins there is no chance the Giants get him through waivers to the practice squad. He has to be on the 53-man roster.
Marcus Mbow, Aaron Stinnie, and Lucas Patrick also should have roster spots. Can the Giants keep 10 offensive linemen? I’m not sure how.
Jake Kubas has played well in two preseason games. You can even make a case that Evan Neal has looked like a competent NFL guard, and deserves consideration.
Cornerback
The cornerback position isn’t so much about who makes the team. Paulson Adebo, Greg Newsome, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, Colton Hood, and Art Green seem secure. Could 2025 seventh-round pick Korie Black make the team as a seventh cornerback? Maybe.
The real question comes down to who lines up against receivers from the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1? Phillips is the nickel cornerback, with occasional help from safety Ar’Darius Washington. As of yet, though, there isn’t a clear answer about how the Giants will decide amongst Adebo, Newsome, Banks, and Hood.
I believe Adebo and Newsome emerge as the starters Week 1, but we’ll see.
Defensive line
Chauncey Golston has emerged as a starter in the base defense because he is a more reliable run defender than Darius Alexander. Golston, Alexander, D.J. Reader, and Shelby Harris should occupy four roster spots.
Leki Fotu has had a good summer, and might have the inside track on a roster spot. Josh Fotou was impressive against the Minnesota Vikings. Zacch Pickens and sixth-round pick Bobby Jamison-Travis were impactful Saturday against the Dolphins. There aren’t enough roster spots for eight interior defensive linemen.