One Blue-White Scrimmage is in the books.
With one week left before the roster gets trimmed to 53, we take a shot at who begins the season on Joe Judge’s team.
This article will focus on the Offense.
Head Coach Joe Judge and General Manager Dave Gettleman have done an excellent job in giving Offensive Coordinator, Jason Garrett, some of the NFL’s best offensive weapons at the skill positions.
Now, can Coach Marc Colombo bring the offensive line together to let Coach Garrett use his entire playbook?
Here’s a look at who will make the 2020 roster for the offense.
Quarterback
Daniel Jones, Colt McCoy, Cooper Rush
DJ has clearly been the lead QB. The real battle has been for the two remaining slots in the QB room. Colt McCoy and Cooper Rush got the benefit of extended time on the field for Friday’s scrimmage. McCoy looked sharp. Rush knows Garrett’s offense from his days with the Cowboys.
Alex Tanney is the odd man out for this team. If Alex doesn’t latch on with another NFL team, look for him to come back as an Assistant Coach and stay in the QB room.
Running Back
Saquon Barkley, Dion Lewis, Wayne Gallman, Elijhaa Penny
Photo: —All four of these RBs are solid contributors to this team. If the Giants emphasize the run, they will all be busy. Gallman had a very productive scrimmage Friday night, putting some distance between the rookies and his roster spot.
Javon Leake could make the roster as a returner on special teams. But Tavien Feaster and Sandro Platzgummer (Giants European player) won’t make this team.
Tight Ends
Evan Engram, Kaden Smith, Levine Toilolo, Eric Tomlinson
Evan Engram has been impressing everyone in this training camp, including Joe Judge. The key for Engram will be staying healthy for the season. Kaden Smith was a great pickup last season and will be used heavily on two TE sets.
Garrett Dickerson, although experienced with the Giants the last two seasons, will be waived and stay on standby for a call up if any of the top four get injured.
UDFA signee, Rysen John, has had a good camp. Special teams will be his chance to make the squad. It’s more likely Rysen will be offered a practice squad position.
Wide Receiver
Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Corey Coleman, David Sills V, Alex Bachman
This group is has been battling all camp. I’m projecting the Giants carry six WRs into the season. The top three are obvious and will start in three WR sets. Corey Coleman is back after a season-ending injury in 2019. He made a great back-shoulder catch in the scrimmage. If he’s truly 100%, it’s possible Coleman will return punts or kicks. Sills and Bachman are both returning Giants from 2019. They’ve had great camps. This leaves a talented group of UDFA rookies (Dillon, Mack, and Victor) fighting for special teams or practice squad slots. It’s possible Victor makes the team if the Giants carry more than six WRs. CJ Board, picked up from the Jaguars waiver wire, will move on.
Offensive Line
Center: Spencer Pulley, Nick Gates (It’s a tossup)
Guards: Kevin Zeitler (RG), Will Hernandez (LG)
Tackles: Andrew Thomas (LT), Cam Fleming (RT)
Backups: Matt Peart, Shane Lemieux, Chad Slade
The Giants invested heavily in the offensive line in the 2020 Draft. Perhaps these are the finishing touches to a three-year rebuild of the most important protectors of Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. The scrimmage showed there’s a lot of work to be done in melding this group of Dave Gettleman’s “hog mollies”.
As this group goes, so will the Giants’ chances at success this year. Eric Smith gave up three sacks in limited duty last season. UDFA rookies Tyler Haycraft, Kyle Murphy, and Jackson Dennis will hope for practice squad slots.
All in all, the Giants’ offense will have up to ten new players on the roster for 2020.
Many of the new players on offense have the versatility that Joe Judge is looking for in being able to play multiple positions.
This allows Coach Garrett to give opposing defenses many looks to put playmakers in positions to succeed.
Featured Image: ---
