New York Giants 2021 Roster Transaction Tracker

Keep it here for the latest reported Giants roster cuts, transactions and quick analysis on each move made.

Author:
Patricia Traina
Updated:
Aug 31, 2021 3:52 PM EDT
Original:
Aug 31, 2021

The NFL mandatory cutdown date is here as teams all over the league will begin trimming from 80 to 53.

As word of the Giants roster cuts come in, we will be listing them here on this page along with a brief reaction/analysis. So be sure to keep checking this page throughout the day.

Keep in mind that no moves are final until the 4 p.m. deadline, so a move reported as a cut could actually become a trade, for example.

Newest transactions will be posted on the bottom of the article.

Reported Giants Roster Transactions

OL Chad Slade (waived)

Slade, a physical player, saw snaps at right guard and right tackle in the preseason finale. Most of his preseason snaps this summer came at right tackle, which was a position at which he never really looked as comfortable. Slade allowed a total of seven quarterback pressures in 77 pass-block snaps.

With the Giants appearing to be more stable along the interior offensive line and a bit thinner offensive tackle depth, the Giants might have hoped that Slade might be able to look and perform as comfortably at tackle as he did guard. Unfortunately, such was not the case, though don't be surprised if Slade lands on the practice squad.

RUMOR: SI's Albert Breer has reported that "bubble guys Dante Pettis, David Sills and Devante Downs have been raised in trade talks."

CB Madre Harper (waived)

The Giants liked Harper enough last year to poach him off the Las Vegas practice squad, initially for his special teams prowess. Unfortunately for Harper, who last year appeared in nine games, his showing this summer left something to be desired.

For one, Harper, who allowed two touchdowns this summer in 82 coverage snaps (and who posted a very disappointing 143.3 NFL rating in coverage), regularly gave up far too much cushion. Harper was much better with run support and was an otherwise solid tacker.

Harper is probably headed to the practice squad, but the only way he might still land on the 53-man roster for Week 1 is if the Giants like enough of Josh Jackson to where he's added to the 53-man roster and then move to injured reserve, thereby opening a roster spot.

TE Nakia Griffin Stewart

Griffin-Stewart, 6’5, and 260 pounds, appeared in 57 snaps for the Giants this summer, 27 of those as a run blocker, where his run blocking after a solid showing against the Jets n Week 1 tapered off. As a pass blocker, he allowed four quarterback pressures in five pass-blocking snaps—not ideal.

Griffin-Stewart lacks the bulk to hold up to power consistently, but he played an aggressive game and caught all three of his pass targets this summer (all in the preseason finale against New England) for 30 yards and a 108.7 rating.

Although Griffin-Stewart didn’t make the 53-man roster cut, he has enough upside to potentially warrant a spot on the practice squad. He has fine athleticism and speed, and if he can add some additional bulk to even out his blocking game, the Giants might have a future tight end capable of blocking guys on the move and creating space downfield.

DE/OLB Niko Lalos (Waived)

A budding success story last year when he flashed on some big plays, Lalos played 84 snaps this summer, most of those on the defensive line where he recorded three pressures (one in each game) and had eight tackles (two misses).

Lalos struggled in coverage, where he was beaten on five of six pass targets, three of those coming on short throws in the preseason finale while playing off-ball. Lalos has good size and a solid skill set, but his struggles to shed blocks in the second and third preseason games may have contributed to his not making the initial 53.

That said, a spot on the practice squad likely beckons as Lalos has some tools worth continued development.

WR/DB Matt Cole (waived)

It's rare to have a player who can play in all three phases of the ball, but that's what the Giants have in receiver/defensive back Matt Cole, who finished with four special teams tackles (two solos, tying him with Cam Brown for the lead).

Cole didn't get any special teams snaps as a gunner or return specialist in the preseason finale, a telltale sign that his chances for a roster spot was a longshot.

It's not known whether the Giants view him long-term as a receiver or a defensive back--he doesn't have the desired deep speed for a receiver. However, his aggressive style of play might make him more of a fit for defensive back and special teams--but he has enough tools in his box to warrant further development on the practice squad.

Aug 29, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver David Sills (84) catches pass and makes a run defended by New England Patriots defensive back Dee Virgin (38) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium.
Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

WR David Sills V (waived)

In one of the training camp "feel-good" stories of the summer, Sills, who has all the characteristics of an X-receiver, was always facing an uphill battle given the addition of Kenny Golladay.

Sills spent the off-season following quarterback Daniel Jones all around the country to build up camaraderie with the quarterback.

His downfield run blocking is still a work in progress, and with him having caught seven out of 10 pass targets this summer (no drops, and he only came down with two of six contested catches), Sills' path to the roster always felt like a longshot despite his story.

That said, the Giants are likely hoping to get Sills onto the practice squad, though it will be interesting to see if he draws attention from around the league.

RB Sandro Platzgummer (roster exemption)

The Giants will take advantage of the roster exemption for Sandro Platzgummer, who had 53 yards on five carries (but no receptions despite one pass target). Platzgummer is part of the league's International Pathway Program and was assigned to the Giants last year.

Given his roster exemption status, he will stay on the team's practice squad this season but won't count toward the limit.

QB Brian Lewerke (waived)

Lewerke was signed following the first preseason game when Clayton Thorsen suffered an injury and was later waived. Lewerke completed 11 out of 19 pass attempts for 108 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in limited preseason action.

On his deep pass attempts of 20+ yards, he went one of three and was picked off. He also had a dropped ball on those three deep attempts. Despite the pedestrian numbers, Lewerke showed enough to warrant a spot on the practice squad.

WR Damion Willis (waived)

Willis, 6'4" and 199 pounds, finished the preseason catching six out of eight pass targets for 112 yards and two touchdowns but only had two yards after the catch on his receptions. Willis played most of his snaps on the perimeter, coming down with both of his contested catches this summer, but the lack of yards after the catch likely didn't help him separate (no pun intended) in an otherwise crowded receivers room.

RB Corey Clement (contract terminated)

The handwriting was on the wall for Clement, the Super Bowl LII hero, when rookie Gary Brightwell got the snaps Sunday night with the first-team offense.

Clement posted decent numbers as a runner--18 carries for 86 yards (4.8 yards/carry) and 49 yards after contact. A backbreaking fumble in the first preseason game combined with his history of ball security issues and Eli Penny's emergence as a tailback option were all likely factors that doomed Clement's quest for a roster spot.

Toss in the fact that Clement was invisible on special teams, whereas Eli Penny and Gary Brightwell were more consistent performers, and the roster move makes sense.

Clement is eligible for the practice squad, but the Giants are thought to be more interested in bringing back Alfred Morris, whom they cut earlier this summer, instead.

WR Alex Bachman (waived/injured)

Bachman tried to catch on with the Giants as a slot receiver. But with Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney well ahead of him on the depth chart combined with a poor statistical showing by Bachman (three out of nine pass targets caught for 39 yards and one touchdown and two dropped passes), Bachman's days with the Giants are likely over.

WR Austin Mack (waived/injured)

Since the start of camp, Mack has been nursing a hamstring injury that has kept him off the field. He'll revert to the injured reserve list if he clears waivers. Don't be surprised if the Giants eventually reach an injury settlement with him and then look to bring him back to the practice squad later in the year once the settlement expires.

ILB Devante Downs (waived)

Another move that comes as no surprise is that the Giants have released inside linebacker Devante Downs, a guy they initially declined to tender as a restricted free agent but who they re-signed at a cheaper rate in the off-season.

Downs produced three pressures and 12 tackles this summer, but his coverage skills were probably the worst of the inside linebacker candidates. He allowed six of seven pass targets to be complete for 48 yards and had one pass breakup, but his poor angles leading to a couple of missed tackles in space helped to do him in.

DL Willie Henry (contract terminted)

Henry, originally a fourth-round pick of the Ravens in the 2016 NFL draft and most recently with the Eagles, was signed by the Giants on August 12. He finished the summer with three pressures and five tackles, but his run defense left a lot to be desired.

Edge Ifeadi Odenigbo (contract terminated)

In something of a mild surprise considering the $1 million in guaranteed money invested, the Giants terminated the contract of edge Ifeadi Odenigbo, a pass rusher who had 10.5 sacks in the last two seasons with the Vikings.

The New Jersey-born Odenigbo, who was trying to convert from defensive end to outside linebacker, had a quiet preseason, registering just three pressures and one tackle. Interestingly, all 79 of his preseason snaps came on the defensive line, but he didn't stand out, especially against the run where, in the preseason finale, he failed to set the edge on a 15-yard gain by a running back.

Between the lack of splash plays as a pass rusher combined with the struggles in setting the edge against the run made for a bad combination that doomed his roster chances and now forces the Giants to eat $1 million in guaranteed money.

OT Jackson Barton (waived)

Barton received 123 offensive snaps, all of those coming at left tackle, and showed some promise in his performance. But with Nate Solder ahead of him on the depth chart--Solder is expected to be fine after dealing with a shoulder injury midway through camp--Barton's immediate future looks to be on the practice squad.

Barton showed acceptable positioning, backpedal, knee bend, and hand punch were all serviceable parts of his performance. He was solid in pass protection, but his run blocking really suffered given that he's not a power player--he landed on the ground a bit too much for our liking--or very physical in that aspect.

G/C Brett Heggie (waived)

With the Giants acquiring guard/center Billy Price via a trade with the Bengals, that pretty much closed the door on Heggie's chances of a roster spot.

Heggie is a raw prospect who, late in camp, started to get some work at right guard, seemed to be destined for the practice squad, where he'll continue learning the finer points of playing both guard and center.

G/C Jonotthan Harrison (contract terminated)

Harrison and guard Zach Fulton, the latter who has since retired, were the only two off-season additions made by the Giants to the offensive line, and now both are gone.

The acquisition of Billy Price from the Bengals probably spelled the end for Harrison, a veteran who began camp on the PUP list with a hamstring strain and who wasn't activated until August 3.

Harrison, who received snaps at both guard and center, was more adept at guard and proved to be a decent run blocker. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said of his pass blocking.

DB Jordyn Peters (waived)

The Giants liked safety/cornerback Jordyn Peters enough to bring him back a second time once they had a roster opening. In his only preseason game action for the Giants, Peters lined up primarily at free safety in the game against the Patriots. He had four tackles and wasn't directly targeted in coverage.

That said, on a touchdown pass up the seam, Peters was late in providing the deep help, and he also came in too high on a ball carrier on a third-quarter tackle attempt on Rhamondre Stevenson's 9-yard rushing touchdown. Still, the Giants liked what they saw of Peters and will look to bring him to their practice squad if he clears waivers.

TE Jake Hausmann (waived)

The Giants picked up Jake Hausmann off waivers on August 7 from the Lions, a move made not long after veteran Levine Toilolo suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles.

Hausmann was solid as a run blocker, the role he was likely acquired to execute, but at 6'4 and 255 pounds, Hausmann, formerly of Ohio State, might have been thought to be a little on the smallish size to fill an in-line blocking tight end role.

The Giants are very thin at tight end, with two of their projected three rostered players at the position, Evan Engram and Kyle Rudolph, having dealt with injuries. Engram suffered a calf injury in the preseason finale against the Patriots, the severity of which wasn't known at the start of Tuesday, while Rudolph, just activated off PUP a week ago, continues his rehab from off-season foot surgery.

DB Chris Johnson (waived)

Johnson struggled with his angles in coverage and was too often fooled by play action. Splitting his snaps between both safety spots and the slot, he finished the summer with five tackles (three solo) and a 109.7 NFL rating in coverage.

CB Aaron Robinson (PUP)

The Giants' third-round draft pick spent all training camp on the active/PUP list while recovering from a core muscle injury. As Robinson isn't thought to have passed a physical just yet, his status will change from active/PUP (in which he counted against the training camp roster number) to inactive/PUP, meaning when will miss at least the first six weeks of the season and not count against the roster.

RELATED: New York Giants to Acquire OL Ben Bredeson from Ravens via Trade
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OL Ted Larsen (Injured Reserve)

Larsen was added for depth two weeks ago, with Shane Lemieux dealing with a knee issue and in light of the retirements of interior offensive linemen Zach Fulton and Joe Looney.

In his short stint with the team, Larsen, who played at both center and guard for the Giants, struggled some in pass blocking, while his run blocking was otherwise solid. Larsen did injure his knee in the pre-season finale which possibly prompted the trade for Ben Bredeson.

DT David Moa (waived)

Moa finished second on the defense this summer in pressures with seven (behind team leader Raymond Johnson III) but with a rather crowded defensive line room, the nod ended up going to Johnson ahead of the undersized Moa.

LS Casey Kreiter (contract terminated)

Don't read too much into this one as it sounds like it's more of a procedural move related to Kreiter's contract. Kreiter is expected to be re-signed by the team this week.

DL Elijah Qualls (waived)

Qualls, picked up midway through training camp, had a quiet run for the Giants in his role at defensive right tackle.

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