New York Giants Roster Transaction Tracker
We've come to the day where over 800 players who have been part of an NFL training camp this summer will soon get word that they have not made the initial 53-man roster.
Let's face it; it's not a fun day for these young men who have busted their humps in hot, humid conditions and during a global pandemic no less. But it's part of the NFL, and by 4:00 PM today, all the roster transactions will be known.
Be sure to keep checking back on this page as we'll update any reported cuts. In addition to the cuts themselves, we'll also have commentary, any salary cap ramifications, and other analysis as applicable.
- RELATED: New York Giants Initial 53-man Roster Projection
- RELATED: Giants Place David Sills V on Injured Reserve
Keep in mind that just because a player is reported to have been cut doesn't make it final. In other words, a player might have initially been told he was cut but could end up being traded instead. Thus these roster moves are reported and won't be final until 4:00 today.
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DB Dravon Askew-Henry - Released
(multiple reports, source confirmed)
Askew-Henry was signed by the Giants from the defunct XFL to provide depth at safety and cornerback. A cousin of former Jets All-Pro cornerback Darelle Revis, Askew-Henry, the one-time standout at West Virginia, signed with the Steelers in 2019 before making stops with the Jaguars' and Patriots' practice squads.
He signed with the XFL's New York Guardians and became a starter, recording 12 tackles (10 solo) and six pass breakups. Askew-Henry had signed a two-year $1.39 million contract with the Giants on April 16, making him the first XFL signing in franchise history. He's projected to be added to the team's practice squad if he clears waivers.
OT Eric Smith - Released
(The Athletic)
Smith was initially claimed off waivers by the Giants on September 1, 2019. He saw limited action with the Giants at left tackle last season when pressed into action for then starter Nate Solder.
To be fair, Smith, who had a short stint on the Patriots practice squad, did admit that he had never taken a snap at left tackle before being pressed into action. With that said, the one-time undrafted free agent, who initially signed with the Dolphins out of Virginia in 2017, fell behind on the offensive line depth chart this year after the team added Andrew Thomas and Cam Fleming.
Smith didn't stand out much in camp, so it's unclear if he'll be asked to join the practice squad if he clears waivers.
DB KeiVaire Russell - Released
(ESPN)
Cornerback KeiVaire Russell was one of four cornerbacks the Giants added to their training camp roster in the final week, as they continued their shuffling at the position.
Russell was a third-round draft pick by the Chiefs in 2016 who didn't make it through his rookie year with the team after reportedly struggling to fit in with the Chiefs defensive scheme.
Russell then was picked up by the Bengals, where his only notable career highlight to date was an interception of a Ryan Mallett pass in a game against the Ravens late in the 2017 season.
Russell then had a cup of coffee with the Charters on their practice squad last year. He signed with the Giants August 29, 2020, but didn't make much of an impression and is unlikely to be a practice squad candidate.
DT Chris Slayton - Waived
(ESPN)
Defensive lineman Chris Slayton, a 2019 seventh-round draft pick, becomes the third Giants draft pick of the Dave Gettleman era to fail to make it through his rookie season, joining quarterback Kyle Lauletta (fourth round, 2018) and offensive tackle George Asafo-Adjei (seventh round, 2019).
Slayton spent most of last season on the practice squad but was elevated to the 53-man roster on December 27, 2019. The Giants' defensive line, which is the strongest and deepest unit on the team, added Austin Johnson in the off-season, a player whom defensive line coach Sean Spencer coached at Penn State.
Slayton, who played his college ball at Syracuse, didn't stand out enough to rise up the depth chart.
TE Garrett Dickerson - Waived
(NJ Advance Media)
Dickerson had a solid training camp but likely got swept up in the numbers game. It's still unknown if the Giants plan to keep three or four tight ends; if it's four, Eric Tomlinson should be the fourth guy.
Dickerson is a solid receiver, but his blocking and special teams work lacked somewhat, which likely contributed to his being waived by the team.
From Englewood, New Jersey, Dickerson was originally an undrafted free agent signed by the team in June 2018. He has been on and off the Giant practice squad since then, usually getting the call when injuries hit the tight end unit.
He's appeared in eight games for the Giants and has just 24 offensive snaps in those games with no receptions.
CB Grant Haley - Waived
(NJ Advance Media)
Haley's release comes as no surprise. An undrafted free agent out of Penn State who signed with eh Giants in 2018, Haley was pressed into action as the slot cornerback, which he struggled with.
He appeared in 25 games with 12 starts for the Giants and recorded no interceptions, and only two passes defended over his short tenure with the team.
Expectations are the Giants will rotate different guys int he slot cornerback position, including Logan Ryan and possibly Darnay Holmes and Julian Love, depending on the personnel grouping.
CB Prince Smith, Jr. - Waived
(The Athletic)
Smith, who played his college ball at Kentucky, was signed by the Giants on August 12, after their deal with veteran Ross Cockrell fell through.
The 5-10, 185-pound Smith went undrafted out of New Hampshire, signing with the Eagles, who waived him last month to get down to the 80-man training camp limit.
At New Hampshire, Smith recorded 193 tackles and 11 interceptions. But he did very little to stand out in his audition with the Giants at a position where the team desperately needed guys to stand out.
QB Alex Tanney - Released
(The Athletic first, multiple reports and source confirmed)
The Giants are finally moving on from veteran quarterback Alex Tanney.
The move comes as no surprise, not after the team added Cooper Rush, who had been with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett in Dallas, to join Daniel Jones and Colt McCoy in the quarterbacks room.
Tanney was in the final year of a two-year contract. His departure will save the team $950,000 in cap space and will cost just $62,500 in dead money between his prorated signing bonus and his workout bonus collected earlier this year.
DL Niko Lalos - Waived
(multiple reports; source confirmed)
Lalos, out of Dartmouth, was an intriguing player who might have some practice squad potential.
Lalos was an All-Ivy League First Team, Division I All-New England Team, and Phil Steele’s All-Ivy League First Team at defensive end honors. He finished last season in the top five in sacks among Ivy League defenders and was fifth in tackles for a loss.
Lalos likely caught the eye of scouts at the Hula Bowl, where he dominated his competition. He did some work with long snapping earlier in camp, but the Giants added Carson Tinker to serve as a potential backup to Casey Kreiter. Lalos still could end up on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
LS Carson Tinker - Released
(multiple reports; source confirmed)
Tinker was signed this week to presumably backup Casey Kreiter. With the practice squad rules having changed to accommodate veterans with any number years of experience, expect Tinker to be back with the Giants.
WR Austin Mack - Waived
(multiple reports; source confirmed)
The 6'2, 215-pound Mack was one of the three undrafted free agent receivers signed by the Giants after the draft. He dealt with injuries at Ohio State, most notably a foot ailment his junior season and an undisclosed injury in his senior year.
He finished his Buckeyes’ career with 79 catches in 45 career games (28 starts) and 1,050 yards and six touchdowns. Mack never had more than 30 catches, 400 yards, or three touchdowns in any given season as a Buckeye.
RB Tavien Feaster - Released
(multiple reports; source confirmed)
Feaster initially replaced Javon Leake on the router, but with Wayne Gallman having a solid camp, there was no room for Feaster on the 53-man roster.
LB Ryan Connelly - Waived
(ESPN)
In the first big surprise among the moves, the Giants are moving on from Ryan Connelly, last year's fifth-round pick who looked like a steal until a torn ACL robbed him of a full rookie season.
Connelly, who missed a week of practice earlier in camp, looked like he was getting back to full strength. Still, with Devante Downs making a push for a starting job alongside of projected starter Blake Martinez, the Giants are going in another direction.
Here are the rest of the moves as announced by the team.
- WR Johnny Holton - Waived
- QB Cooper Rush - Waived
- CB Chris Williamson - Waived
- WR Alex Bachman - Waived
- WR Derrick Dillon - Waived
- WR Binjimen Victor - Waived
- TE Eric Tomlinson - Waived
- OL Jon Halapio - Waived
- OL Tyler Haycraft - Waived
- OL Kyle Murphy - Waived
- DL Daylon Mack - Waived
- ILB Josiah Tauaefa - Waived
- DB Montre Hartage - (waived/injured, hamstring)
- DB Brandon Williams - Waived
- DB Jarren Williams - Waived
Look for a good number of those waived to resurface on the practice squad.
Other Roster Notes
Tight end Rysen John and defensive back Jacquarius Landrews, who were waived/injured by the Giants, cleared waivers. Landrews has a partially guaranteed contract, according to the NFL Transaction report; Overt the Cap lists his guaranteed money as $15,000.
Both players went unclaimed and are currently on the Giants' injured reserve list, but don't be surprised if at least one (John) ends up with an injury settlement.
