Updating Some Key Roster Competitions after the Giants 25-23 Win vs. Cincinnati

With just a little over a week to go before roster cuts must be made, the Giants' 25-23 win over the Bengals Thursday night might very well have provided a bit of clarity regarding the competition at several roster spots.

Here is a closer look at those competitions, taking into consideration not only the game but also the entire summer.

Running Backs

Wayne Gallman appears to have locked up the No. 2 running back spot behind starter Saquon Barkley, but thus far, it's been a tight race between Paul Perkins and Rod Smith, with rookie Jon Hilliman also making a late push.

Smith, however, suffered a groin strain, the severity of which isn't known.

What also isn't know is whether the Giants, who will probably keep fullback Eli Penney, might carry just one of Perkins, Smith, and Hilliman as with Barkley expected to take the lion's share of the reps, carrying four running backs doesn't make sense when that spot can be used elsewhere.

Prediction: The Giants go with Barkley, Gallman, and Perkins. Hilliman goes to the practice squad.

Tight Ends

Anyone else surprised that the Giants haven't been playing C.J. Conrad as much as initially anticipated?

Yeah, us too. But there might be a reason for that, and that is they're trying to sneak him to the practice squad.

Conrad, after all, has a game that's very similar to Rhett Ellison's game. And is there any reason to carry two guys whose style of game are virtually identical?

Prediction: The Giants will carry Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison, and Scott Simonson. Conrad will go to the practice squad.

Offensive Line

The first six offensive linemen are set--the five starters (Nate Solder, Will Hernandez, Jon Halapio, Kevin Zeitler and Mike Remmers--and guard/center Spencer Pulley.

Behind them, figure Chad Slade and Nick Gates have earned spots, which gives them eight projected players on this unit.

Will they carry a ninth player? They could, but I don't think they will just yet, not with needing to carry extras at receiver and cornerback potentially.

Prediction: Chad Wheeler, who has dealt with a back issue most of the summer, doesn't make this roster. Also, James O'Hagan, the smallish, but intriguing center who didn't even get int the game Thursday night, might have lost out to Evan Brown, who has been getting snaps and who is eligible for the practice squad.

Quarterbacks

Could the Giants keep two at this spot?

They just might for the first time in a long time.

Eli Manning is the starter, no matter what spin you see others int he media trying to put on the situation. And Daniel Jones is going to be his backup.

Alex Tanney, whom the team signed to a new multiyear contract, hasn't done much to make this roster--and quite frankly with the development of Jones, I'm not so sure they need him to, and I'm wondering if given some of the injuries at quarterback around the league if the Giants try to trade him for a conditional seventh-round draft pick.

Kyle Lauletta still has some potential as a third QB, but I would try to slide him through to the practice squad if I'm the Giants and I need that roster spot that would otherwise go to a third quarterback for someplace else.

Prediction: The Giants go with two quarterbacks (Manning and Jones), slide Laueltta to the practice squad, and move on from Tanney.

Linebackers

I'm very concerned about the depth, or lack thereof, at inside linebacker after last night's game.

I think rookie Ryan Connolly is going to be just fine in time, but I thought Tae Davis had a rocky showing as did Nate Stupar, who missed a couple of tackles this week after dropping a "gimme" interception last week.

As if that's not enough to create a concern, undrafted rookie Jonathan Anderson suffered a knee injury that was to be further evaluated.

Meanwhile, B.J. Goodson, last year's incumbent alongside Alec Ogletree, has been buried on the depth chart.

While Goodson does have his limitations and has, at least so far, been good for missing a game or two given his hard-hitting style of play, his time with this team might not yet be done after all.

Prediction: Goodson and Davis will stick, but the Giants will be hitting the waiver wire hard for another option.

Cornerbacks

Janoris Jenkins and DeAndre Baker will be the starters. Grant Haley will be the nickel, and the Giants will see a healthy dose of Corey Ballentine this year.

But what about the bottom of the depth chart? Sam Beal and Antonio Hamilton are both dealing with injuries. And even if they weren't only one of them would likely make the roster (probably Beal).

Prediction: The Giants will carry both Beal and Hamilton on the initial 53-man roster and move Beal, who has participated in just one training camp practice this year, to Injured Reserve, where he would then become eligible to return after six weeks and if needed.

Receivers

I don't think there's any doubt that the Giants will carry six receivers. Sterling Shepard, Cody Latimer (he of two dropped passes last night), Darius Slayton, Russell Shepard and Alonzo "Russell Hustle" Russell are likely locks.

I think the sixth receiver spot comes down to T.J. Jones or Brittan Golden with special teams likely the deciding factor. (Golden Tate will miss the first four games due to his looming league-imposed suspension.)

Prediction: Yes Golden had a costly muffed punt against the Bengals, but if you look at his entire body of work he's been sturdier than Jones as both a receiver and as a punt returner.

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