Giants post-draft depth chart: A new 1-2 punch at RB and a scary pass rush

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New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen is “excited” about the roster he’s assembled, but he cautioned after the NFL Draft that “it’s just on paper.” The roster will transition to the field soon enough.

Here’s an early projection of the Giants’ post-draft depth chart:

(R) = Rookie

Quarterback

Starter: Russell Wilson
Backups: Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart (R), Tommy DeVito

Coach Brian Daboll reiterated after the Dart pick that Wilson is the starter, although he added, “That’s how it’ll be once we get started here in the spring.” I don’t think he was intentionally leaving the door open for that to change, but that will be the reality if Dart blows them away.

The expectation is that it will take Dart time to develop. The Giants have the luxury of allowing that to happen with Wilson and Winston at the top of the depth chart. It would be a major surprise if Wilson isn’t the opening day starter. And even if he falters, the Giants would likely first turn to Winston to avoid expediting Dart’s timeline. Meanwhile, DeVito is the odd man out of the revamped quarterback room, although he could land on the practice squad.

Running back

Starter: Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Backups: Devin Singletary, Cam Skattebo (R), Eric Gray, Dante Miller

The attention the Giants devoted to running backs in the pre-draft process, which was capped by the Skattebo pick in the fourth round, shows they felt they needed a strong complement to Tracy, even with Singletary under contract for the next two years. Tracy showed potential in his rookie season, but ball security issues and limited production late in the season raise questions about him being a true No. 1 back.

Enter Skattebo, whose bruising style should complement the shifty Tracy. Skattebo’s college production was off the charts. It’s questionable if he’ll be as effective against NFL defenders, but at minimum, he’s a physical runner who will be useful in short-yardage situations.

Wide receiver

Starters: Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson
Backups: Jalin Hyatt, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Zach Pascal, Montrell Washington

This is essentially the same group as last season, with a few changes to the veteran depth. The expectation is that Nabers will take the next step to solidify himself as one of the league’s premier receivers. Slayton should benefit from the downfield mindset and ability of the new quarterbacks. The switch to Wilson won’t be as great for Robinson, whose option routes rely on precise timing from the quarterback on short passes.

Trade chatter about Hyatt doesn’t make sense. He has minimal value coming off an eight-catch season, and the Giants should at least let him go through the offseason with the new quarterbacks who can maximize his strength as a deep threat. Special teams value will likely determine the final spots at receiver, with Smith-Marsette’s return ability giving him an edge.

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— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) April 28, 2025

Tight end

Starter: Theo Johnson
Backups: Chris Manhertz, Daniel Bellinger, Greg Dulcich, Thomas Fidone (R)

The Giants brought back the same group of tight ends, plus Fidone, a seventh-round lottery ticket with athleticism who was slowed by injuries in college. The Giants are banking on Johnson to build on the promise he showed before his rookie season was cut short by a foot injury. Manhertz and Bellinger are veteran role players.

Offensive line

Starters: LT Andrew Thomas, LG Jon Runyan, C John Michael Schmitz, RG Greg Van Roten, RT Jermaine Eluemunor
Backups: T James Hudson, G Jake Kubas, G/T Evan Neal, G/T Marcus Mbow (R), G/T Josh Ezeudu, G Aaron Stinnie, C Austin Schlottman, T Stone Forsythe, C Jimmy Morrissey, C Bryan Hudson

The same starters return on the offensive line. The Giants are showing faith in Schmitz despite two disappointing seasons from the 2023 second-round pick. Van Roten provides a baseline level of competency at right guard, but the Giants have to hope someone with upside from the group of Neal, Kubas, Mbow and Ezeudu challenges for the job.

Schoen emphasized upgrading the tackle depth this offseason. The James Hudson signing should signal the end of Ezeudu ever playing there again. Mbow will play tackle initially, but he’s widely projected to shift to guard. He was a strong value pick in the fifth round, but he’s likely not in the immediate plans to start, so it makes sense to let him begin working at the position he played the past two years. Neal isn’t a lock to make the roster, with the investments in James Hudson and Mbow this offseason giving them top status among the backup linemen.

Defensive line

Starters: Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Roy Robertson-Harris
Backups: Darius Alexander (R), Jeremiah Ledbetter, Elijah Chatman, DJ Davidson, Jordon Riley, Elijah Garcia, Casey Rogers, Cory Durden

The defensive line was a weakness, aside from Lawrence last season, so Schoen addressed that need. Robertson-Harris and Ledbetter are veteran role players, while Alexander is a third-round pick with a high ceiling. This group will be deeper. How much better they will be depends on how quickly Alexander develops.

Outside linebacker

Starters: Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux
Backups: Abdul Carter (R), Chauncey Golston, Victor Dimukeje, Tomon Fox

This position group is loaded. Carter is listed as a backup because someone needs to be, but the top three players at this position should be on the field plenty. It will be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Shane Bowen gets them on the field together. Carter’s background as an off-ball linebacker opens up possibilities. Golston has a different body type that should allow him to play a role as an interior rusher on passing downs since his edge snaps will be limited by the talent at the atop the depth chart.

Inside linebacker

Starters: Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden
Backups: Chris Board, Darius Muasau, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dyontae Johnson, Ty Summers

The same starters are back for the third straight season. The Giants need Okereke to bounce back after being less impactful in his first season in Bowen’s scheme. Board’s two-year, $5.7 million contract shows an investment in upgrading the depth. Muasau and Johnson will battle for the other backup jobs, while Flannigan-Fowles and Summers are experienced special-teamers.

Cornerback

Starters: Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips
Backups: Cor’Dale Flott, Tre Hawkins, Korie Black (R), Art Green, Dee Williams, Nic Jones

Banks wasn’t ready to be a No. 1 cornerback last season. The signing of Adebo allows Banks to slide back into a No. 2 corner role. Phillips is looking to build off a solid rookie season in the slot. Flott should settle in as the top backup outside and in the slot. There’s not much experience behind the top four corners, providing a big opportunity for Hawkins, who has flashed glimpses of potential in his first two seasons. Black has a better chance of earning a spot than most seventh-round picks. This looks like a position that could see a veteran addition before the season.

Safety

Starters: Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin
Backups: Dane Belton, Anthony Johnson, Raheem Layne

Holland should be a big upgrade over Jason Pinnock in the starting lineup. The depth is shaky. Belton has demonstrated a nose for the ball in his career, but his limitations have been exposed in extended action. This is another position that could see a veteran addition.

Special teams

Starters: K Graham Gano, P Jamie Gillan, LS Casey Kreiter
Backup: K Jude McAtamney

The Giants return the same trio of specialists for the fourth straight season. They didn’t bring in a young kicker to compete with Gano, so they’re comfortable rolling with the 38-year-old after two straight seasons marred by injuries. McAtamney is back as an international exemption on the practice squad.

(Photo of Cam Skattebo: Kelsey Grant / Getty Images)

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