The New York Giants released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of Saturday’s preseason opener, and it provides a telling glimpse into how this roster is shaping up. From defensive edge rotation clarity to the muddled wide receiver picture, there’s plenty to unpack. 

Kayvon Thibodeaux’s listing is about optics, not competition

The depth chart listed outside linebacker Abdul Carter or Kayvon Thibodeaux as the starter, without a clear separation designating Thibodeaux as second team. That raised some eyebrows, but the reality is straightforward. Every indication during Giants camp has been that the two starting pass rushers are Carter and Brian Burns, and that Thibodeaux has worked with the second-team unit while carving out a role in sub packages.

The Giants didn’t do the same thing for players like Dru Phillips or Ardarius Washington, who are sub-package defensive backs. They did it for Thibodeaux, though, likely as a way to show how committed they are to him and how involved he’ll be when the rotation hits the field. Nobody should be shocked. He is a sub-package player, not a starter.

Paulson Adebo holds the starting corner spot despite struggles

After weeks of reporting that Deonte Banks has been working with the first team and Adebo has struggled, the depth chart still lists Adebo as a starting outside corner alongside Greg Newsome. This reads as the coaching staff giving Adebo the benefit of the doubt to see if he can rebound.

The Giants are probably wanting to give him every chance to fail before turning things over to Banks. Considering how high Banks was drafted and how good he looked as a rookie, his ceiling is significantly higher than Adebo’s. Hopefully, Banks can force the issue, because he’s the long-term answer at the position.

Newsome appears locked into a starting role. Behind those two, Phillips is listed in the backup spot, though that’s a formality since he’s the nickel corner for this team. Colton Hood was listed as the third-team option, which seems more about the ordering format than any indictment on his performance. Hood would technically be the next starting outside corner if needed.

Jack Kelly earns his second-team linebacker spot

The BYU linebacker hasn’t generated much buzz since the draft, but he’s quietly worked himself into the second-team will linebacker spot alongside Micah McFadden. For a late-round pick to carve out that role despite the heavy investment New York made at linebacker this offseason with Tremaine Edmunds, that’s impressive.

Kelly isn’t exceptionally athletic, and he’s probably never going to be a starter. But he is the perfect backup special-teamer linebacker, the kind of player who does a lot of things right that a competitive team needs. He could become one of those unsung heroes on the back end of the roster.

The Tyrone Tracy-Cam Skattebo backfield split is real

The depth chart listed Tracy and Skattebo together at running back rather than designating one as the clear-cut starter. This is a strong indication that the Giants plan to split touches rather than ride one back exclusively. Considering both players have dealt with injuries early in their careers, distributing carries is probably the best approach for long-term health and production this season.

If one was definitively ahead, the Giants would have listed them one and two like most teams do. The shared designation tells you this backfield rotation is by design.

Evan Neal’s time is running out

The most glaring evidence that Neal’s tenure in New York is nearing its end came from his placement on the depth chart. He was listed as the backup right guard, but not even as the sole backup. It was Aaron Stinnie or Evan Neal.

The Giants aren’t going to put a former first-round pick in a third-team spot because that would be almost embarrassing. But if Neal can’t push Stinnie out of a backup role, the beginning of the end is here. With Lucas Patrick and others occupying roster spots, Neal’s existence on this offensive line is redundant. He’s a big body who’s never going to step on the field in a meaningful way. A player like JC Davis would provide more long-term value in that spot.

Wide receiver remains the biggest question mark

Malik Nabers is locked in as the No. 1 wide receiver, and Darius Slayton was listed as the second starter. But Slayton’s placement feels more like a veteran courtesy than anything else. With the Giants likely running plenty of three-receiver sets, the depth chart doesn’t paint a clear picture of how the full unit shakes out.

Malachi Fields has been emerging as the second outside receiver and was listed alongside Isaiah Hodgins as the third option behind Nabers and Calvin Austin. Jalin Hyatt and Darnell Mooney sit behind Slayton at the other spot. There’s no real clarity here, and this is probably the position group that shifts the most between now and Week 1.

The first preseason game on Saturday should provide some answers, and it will be worth watching which young receivers start to separate themselves from the pack.