The New York Giants have one more preseason game to determine who will make the final 53-man roster for the 2026 season. With roster cuts looming, every position group on offense has at least one difficult decision ahead. 

From the crowded running back room to the volatile wide receiver competition, the picture is starting to come into focus based on preseason performance and beat reporter evaluations. Let’s dig in, position by position.

Note: I’ll have a defensive version of this very soon to make up the full picture! 

Quarterback (2) 

This feels like a foregone conclusion. Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston make this team. Winston has performed really solidly in the backup role and has clearly established himself as an underrated key piece for the Giants. It sounds unusual to say that about a backup quarterback, but he provides an unheralded steadiness within the quarterback room. If something ever happens to Dart, Giants fans can trust Winston to step in and keep the offense afloat.

Running back (4) 

The running back room is more crowded than anticipated, and the casualty could come at tight end to make room. The four backs who make the roster are clear. 

First, Cam Skattebo, who’s been great so far and is a given. Second, Tyrone Tracy, who’s been a bit disappointing and hasn’t played up to expectations, but is still productive and good enough to stick. Third, Devin Singletary, who has flashed some really nice plays in the preseason. And fourth, Najee Harris, whose addition made it clear the Giants wanted a big-bodied runner.

Patrick Ricard will have a key role with this team, being more prominently featured than fullbacks in the past. The notable casualty is Eric Gray, who has been on this roster for what feels like forever and has never carved out a meaningful role. He is on his way out.

Tight end (3) 

Keeping four running backs forces the Giants to trim down to three tight ends, which is narrow considering the expectation that they’ll run heavy tight end sets. 

Isaiah Likely is a potential primary target for Dart. Theo Johnson, who has a lot of upside, sticks as the tight end 2 the Giants are hoping develops into something special. And Chris Manhertz boxes out Thomas Fidone and Tanner Conner because of his blocking impact. Manhertz fits exactly what you want from your third tight end: a guy who plays special teams and paves lanes in the run game.

Wide receiver (6) 

We know Malik Nabers makes the cut along with rookie Malachi Fields, who has performed solidly. Darnell Mooney is safe unless some ridiculous trade offer comes in. Darius Slayton will make the squad because he’s been a leader, even though it’s likely guys will play over him, and his role shrinks.

Braxton Berrios makes it as the kick returner, a role the Giants clearly envisioned for him when they brought him in. He has reliability from past destinations, and none of the other candidates have made a case for the return job. Xavier Gibson has not made any noise.

The last receiver spot appears to belong to Odell Beckham Jr., who has been stronger than most people expected. He’s making guys miss and remains technically refined as a route runner, even though the explosiveness isn’t what it once was. Giants fans should not expect OBJ to become a third receiver with 600 yards. 

He’ll be one of the last guys on the roster, and there’s a real possibility the team moves him to the practice squad if someone cut by another team becomes available. Isaiah Hodgins, Dalen Cambre, and Jalin Hyatt are not making it.

Losing Calvin Austin today to an undisclosed injury certainly complicates things for who the last receiver will be.

Offensive line (10)

The starting five is locked in: Andrew Thomas, Jermaine Eluemunor, John Runyon, Francis Mauigoa, and John Michael-Schmitz. No discussion, no competition.

Behind them, Bryan Hudson has done enough to stick, especially after stepping in capably when Michael-Schmitz went down during camp. Aaron Stinney also makes it. Marcus Mbow and J.C. Davis were tremendous against the Dolphins. Davis, in particular, has been one of the biggest risers during camp and one of the clearest guys trending upward.

Lucas Patrick, despite the hope that a veteran backup center role was possible, simply can’t hang. Age has caught up, and he’s not mobile enough to warrant a roster spot. Evan Neal won’t make the roster after yet another lackluster camp. 

And they netted another return for an impactful lineman by trading away Josh Ezedeu on Tuesday night.