New York Giants release first unofficial depth chart ahead of preseason Week 1 game vs. Buffalo Bills and it has a few surpises originally appeared on A to Z Sports.
The New York Giants kick off their preseason slate this Saturday against the Buffalo Bills, and we have a first look at their opening depth chart.
This depth chart is still unofficial, but it clarifies where new faces fit into the mix.
During training camp, there's been jockeying between Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston for the backup spot. Considering Dart has been inconsistent, Winston getting the nod over him isn't a huge shock. This should be closely monitored after the game and over the next few weeks because if Winston stays put, it could indicate that the team doesn't think Dart is ready to be Russell Wilson's backup. However, seeing how Dart performs when given his first shot to run the offense on Saturday will be very exciting.
No major surprises at running back, especially with the recent injuries to Cam Skattebo that kept him out of practice and prompted the signing of Jonathan Ward. It's unclear if Skattebo will play on Saturday, but his early momentum could lead to him passing Singletary.
WR is another position group with nothing unexpected, considering the established starters from last year returned. It is quite daunting to look at the group on paper and realize how thin their depth is after Jalin Hyatt.
Undrafted rookie Beaux Collins is the most underrated name to watch during the first preseason game, as he's been unexpectedly impactful during practices.
The Giants' tight end unit has potential in 2025, especially if they can see a leap from the uber-athletic Theo Johnson. If rookie Thomas Fidone II has decent production in Game 1, he could rise above Greg Dulcich.
The offensive line will look completely different once Andrew Thomas is healthy and ready to step back in at left tackle. However, it's notable that Evan Neal is listed as a backup at right guard. This signals that we could see a lot of playing time from Neal at the beginning of the preseason, giving him a shot to prove himself as a worthy starter. The talent is there, and the humbling experience of being a backup and switching positions could be an impactful motivator.
Additionally, seeing rookie Marcus Mbow listed as depth at both tackle spots is promising. It's an indicator that the Giants see his potential versatility as a swing lineman and will likely get a lot of reps during preseason games. Mbow is a gifted player who could develop into a starter someday.
Everyone's eyes likely darted to Abdul Carter being listed as a backup to Brian Burns. It needs to be clarified that this doesn't mean anything. The Giants are so deep along their defensive line that they'll be rotating all of their key pass rushers during the season, so this is likely clerical.
It's disappointing to see 2025 third-round pick Darius Alexander listed behind Roy Robertson-Harris at defensive tackle. The transition from the MAC to the NFL could lead to Alexander taking longer than the typical rookie to crack the starting lineup. While Rakeem Nuñez-Roches is a quality starter, one would hope that Alexander eventually takes his job because he has more upside in the long run.
Of all of the position groups, linebacker is the least surprising. No new big names were added via free agency or the draft. We already know Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden are reliable starters.
The most important note on this depth chart is the Giants listing Deonte Banks or Cor'Dale Flott as the second-starting outside corner. Banks started his career with a promising rookie season, but his job could be in jeopardy after a rocky second year and a hot start to training camp for Flott. Ultimately, this should be a concern for where Banks stands and why he needs to finish camp strong to avoid being unseated.
Dee Williams was making waves in practice, but apparently didn't do enough to be listed ahead of 2025 seventh-round pick Korie Black.
Head coach Brian Daboll was unclear and non-committal about whether the starters would play on Saturday, so it will be interesting to see how much this lineup could change heading into preseason game 2.