Giants Unofficial Depth Chart Takeaways: Rookies Rising, Battles Still Unsettled

The New York Giants have released their first unofficial depth chart of the summer— unofficial because the depth chart does not come from the coaches but is instead compiled by the staff based on interpretations of where guys have taken the majority of their practice reps.

Still, the depth chart is always fun to dissect for clues as to how the team is taking shape, so let’s look at some of the key takeaways.

Where Do the Rookie Draft Picks Stand?

As anticipated, first-rounders Francis Mauigoa and Arvell Reese are listed as starters at their respective positions (right guard and inside linebacker).

Second-round pick Colton Hood is currently listed as the third cornerback behind projected starter Paulson Adebo and veteran Deonte Banks.

But with Adebo and Greg Newsome II both dealing with injuries that make them question marks for Saturday’s preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings, Hood could very well find himself with an opportunity to start.

Receiver Malachi Fields, the third-round pick, is listed as the third receiver, behind Malik Nabers and Calvin Austin III.

Defensive lineman Bobby Jamison-Travis currently is third on the chart at nose tackle, behind D.J. Reader and Leki Fotu.

Meanwhile, offensive tackle J.C. Davis, the second of the three sixth-round draft picks, is listed as the third-string left tackle, behind starter Andrew Thomas and backup Marcus Mbow.

Jack Kelly, the last of the three sixth-round picks, is listed as the backup weakside linebacker behind Reese. Kelly has been having a solid camp and projects not only to nail down a spot as the fourth inside linebacker but also a core special teams role.

Darius Alexander is Projected as One of the Starting Defensive Linemen

New York Giants defensive lineman Darius Alexander (91) | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

No surprise here, as Darius Alexander is listed as the first-team defensive end next to Shelby Harris at defensive tackle and D.J. Reader at nose tackle.

Alexander has been pushing for a job on the first-team defense as far back as the end of last season, having continued his quest over the spring and summer.

Backup Right Guard in Flux

New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Giants list Aaron Stinnie OR Evan Neal as the backup right guard behind Mauigoa. There are actually several instances where two players are listed, an indication that the competition is either close or there is no clear-cut guy at that spot.

But what’s most interesting about this one is that Neal has been “glued” to the third-team offense, something that might not necessarily be the case given the depth chart listing.

What’s also interesting is that Stinnie has mainly been a career left guard and has played just 15 regular-season snaps on the right side, all coming in 2019, his rookie year.

No Change at One Starting Cornerback Spot

New York Giants cornerback Paulson Adebo | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Despite there being a rotation at cornerback on the first-team defense, Paulson Adebo is still listed among the starters.

Again, though, with Adebo nursing some injury, it remains to be seen whether he plays in Saturday's preseason opener.

Even when Adebo does return to play, it’s clear that he’s still in competition to hold onto his starting job.

Starting Strongside Linebacker

New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In another somewhat surprising move, the unofficial depth chart lists Abdul Carter OR Kayvon Thibodeaux as the starting SAM linebacker.

Entering camp, it was thought that perhaps Carter, who finished the 2025 season in place of the injured Thibodeaux on a strong note, would lead to Thibodeaux working mostly with the second-team defense in camp.

Head coach John Harbaugh, however, didn’t see it that way when asked about Thibodeaux’s handling of being with the second-team defense.

“I don't think he's worried about it. He knows he's going to play a bunch. These guys know. We have three starters at outside linebacker. Those are all starting football players. So, slice it how you want. Do a depth chart any way you want. Those guys are all going to play a ton of football,” he said.

Receivers

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Finally, we get to the position group that everyone wants to know about: receivers.

The first thing that jumps out is that this depth chart doesn’t list a slot receiver. That doesn’t mean the Giants won’t have one, but it's likely a sign they will be leaning more into 12- and 13-personnel, or they could be planning to deploy tight end Isaiah Likely into more of that role.

As for how the receivers stack up, it looks like it will be a mix-and-match. As already noted, the top three receivers at one spot are Nabers, Austin, and Fields.

At the other receiver spot, Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, and Odell Beckham Jr. are the top three, followed by veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalin Hyatt, Dalen Cambre, and Xavier Gipson.

Nabers isn’t expected to play in any of the preseason games as he continues his ramp-up from ACL surgery.

Fields has been having a solid camp thus far, to the point where he could be in line for a bigger role on offense than maybe initially thought as his NFL career gets underway.

Running Backs

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Giants have the same situation at running back where they list “Cam Skattebo OR Tyrone Tracy, Jr” as the first-team running back.

New York is expected to deploy a committee approach at running back rather than name one specific guy as the bellcow, so this development really doesn’t come as a surprise, nor does it necessarily indicate which running back is going to see the bulk of the carries any given week, as the specific opponent and matchups will instead dictate that.

Punt and Kickoff Returners

New York Giants wide receiver Braxton Berrios | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Braxton Berrios, who has had himself a solid camp, is listed as the main punt returner, followed by Calvin Austin III and then Xavier Gipson.

Berrios is also second on the unofficial depth chart at kickoff returner, behind cornerback Deonte Banks. Dante Miller and Eric Gray are third and fourth guys at kickoff returner.

Kicker

Despite undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada having jumped out in terms of consistency this summer, he is not listed as being equal to Ben Sauls for the kicking job.

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