The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.
Defensive line is the deepest position on the team.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – Defensive line is the strongest, and in my opinion, the best position on the team with the presence of two All-Pro level players in Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams and veterans like Rakeem Nunez-Roches, A'Shawn Robinson and Vernon Butler backing them up. There are also young players like Ryder Anderson, DJ Davidson and Jordon Riley. But the Giants are going to struggle pairing down their roster at wide receiver at the end of August.
Lance Medow: Fiction – Coincidentally, Schmeelk and I just had this conversation on a recent edition of Big Blue Kickoff Live, so if he doesn't go fact here, it'll be the biggest surprise since Paul Dottino didn't use a food analogy on the show to make a point. I have defensive line second in this category right behind wide receiver. As of now, the receiving corps showcases at least 10 players who realistically have a shot to secure a roster spot. Yes, there are some individuals coming off injuries and others who have yet to play an NFL snap, but the group overall still makes a stronger case than the defensive line, especially with respect to experience.
Cornerback is the most improved position on the roster.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – Deonte Banks certainly helps the position, but the addition of a proven high-level player like Bobby Okereke at inside linebacker could be a game-changer. The Giants struggled to stop the run last year. Okereke will help in those areas and bring a level of speed and strong instincts to the position that the Giants lacked last season. I expect a strong two-way performer that never leaves the field for the Giants defense.
Lance Medow: Fiction – The addition of first-round pick Deonte Banks will help this group, but for the most part, the cornerback unit from last season is returning and receiving some players back from injury. That's why I think the defensive line is the most improved unit. A'Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches are both polished veterans who have a reputation for stopping the run, a facet of the defense the team is looking to elevate. Those two players should help that cause and create additional opportunities for the edge rushers.
View photos from OTA practice No. 3 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
DB Adoree' Jackson (22), DB Cor'dale Flott (28), DB Zyon Gilbert (38)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), WR Darius Slayton (86), WR Jeff Smith II (19)
OL Evan Neal (73), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
RB Gary Brightwell (23), RB Eric Gray (20), RB Jashaun Corbin (25), RB Matt Breida (31)
DB Gervarrius Owens (31)
DB Tre Hawkins III (37), DB Gervarrius Owens (31)
LB Micah McFadden (41)
LB Carter Coughlin (52)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
DB Alex Cook (23)
DB Germon Green (34)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
DB Alex Cook (23)
DB Zyon Gilbert (38)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
DB Bobby McCain (21)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25), QB Tyrod Taylor (2), TE Lawrence Cager (83), WR Collin Johnson (15)
WR Collin Johnson (15)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
LB Troy Brown (46)
LB Troy Brown (46)
LB Troy Brown (46)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
LB Dyontae Johnson (54)
LB Micah McFadden (41), LB Troy Brown (46), LB Dyontae Johnson (54)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
LB Micah McFadden (41), LB Troy Brown (46), LB Dyontae Johnson (54)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jeff Smith II (19), WR Parris Campbell (0)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
WR Parris Campbell (0), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6), WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Jamison Crowder (80), WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Collin Johnson (15), WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82), G Shane Lemieux (66), OL Devery Hamilton (62), OL Mark Glowinski (64), LS Casey Kreiter (59), OL Jack Anderson (77), LB Jarrad Davis (57), OL J.C. Hassenaauer (63), TE Tommy Sweeney (89), K Graham Gano (9)
DB Rodarius Williams (25)
DB Cor'dale Flott (28)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
RB Matt Breida (31)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
DB Adoree' Jackson (22), DB Cor'dale Flott (28), DB Zyon Gilbert (38)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61), QB Daniel Jones (8)
TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux is your breakout candidate on defense.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – I'm going to go with Xavier McKinney. He has flashed some big plays and has avoided big mistakes when he has been on the field, but I'm not sure he has broken out yet with a true Pro Bowl-level season. I think this could be the year where we get multiple game-changing interceptions. The same could be said for Azeez Ojulari, whom I think is the best pure pass rusher on the Giants. If he is healthy for 17 games, I think he will lead the Giants in sacks.
Lance Medow: Fact – I think this is a critical year for Azeez Ojulari given the injuries he battled in 2022, but not sure if you can make a case for him as a breakout candidate after he posted eight sacks and led the team in that department as a rookie. That's why Kayvon Thibodeaux is the most sensible choice. He's entering his second year in the league, has much more comfort in Wink Martindale's scheme and should benefit from some of the new additions on the interior of the defensive line.
WR Wan'Dale Robinson is your breakout candidate on offense.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – We have a FICTION SLAM! I am going to ride the Parris Campbell train here. He has an elite set of physical skills, and I have a lot of faith in Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka to put him in position to utilize them in the most explosive way possible.
Lance Medow: Fact – I thought Wan'Dale Robinson had a strong chance to make 2022 his breakout campaign, but he was limited to only six games due to injuries, including a season-ending torn ACL. Robinson provided some flashes of what he's capable of doing in Week 11 against the Lions when he recorded nine catches for 100 yards. If he has a chance to do that consistently this season, he'll absolutely produce a memorable year thanks to his elusiveness and ability to create explosive plays.
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 cycle.
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
OL Jaylon Thomas - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 9)
K Graham Gano - Signed 3-year contract extension (September 8)
WR Cam Sims - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (September 4)
WR Cole Beasley - Practice Squad; Injured (September 4)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injury Settlement
DB Kaleb Hayes, WR Dennis Houston, T Jaylon Thomas - Practice Squad Signing (August 31)
RB Taiwan Jones - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (August 31)
TE Tyree Jackson, G Jalen Mayfield - Practice Squad Exception Signing (August 31)
DB Gemon Green, T Tyre Phillips - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (August 31)
CB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injury Settlement
DT Ryder Anderson, ILB Darrian Beavers, DB Alex Cook, QB Tommy DeVito, CB Gemon Green, ILB Dyontae Johnson, TE Ryan Jones - Practice Squad (August 30)
WR Cole Beasley, CB Amani Oruwariye, T Tyre Phillips, OLB Oshane Ximines - Practice Squad Veteran (August 30)
OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exception (August 30)
DE Boogie Basham - Acquired via Trade (via BUF) with 2025 7th Round Pick for 2025 6th Round Pick (August 30)
DT Ryder Anderson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DE Habakkuk Baldonado - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Darrian Beavers - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Alex Cook - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
QB Tommy DeVito - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Tomon Fox - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Gemon Green - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
TE Ryan Jones - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LS Cameron Lyons - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
T Tyre Phillips - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DT Kobe Smith - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Ray Wilborn - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Cole Beasley - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR Jamison Crowder - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
C Sean Harlow - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
DB Amani Oruwariye - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR David Sills V - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
LB Oshane Ximines - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Reserve/Non-Football Illness (August 29)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Passed Physical (August 29)
CB Aaron Robinson - Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (August 29)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Injured (August 28)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Wyatt Davis - Waived, Injured (August 28)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Reserve/Injured (August 27)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Korey Cunningham - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Julién Davenport - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Brandin Bryant - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DE Tashawn Bower - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Kevin Atkins - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
WR Collin Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
DB Darren Evans - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
NT Donovan Jeter - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
RB James Robinson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons - Acquired via Trade (via ARZ) for 2024 7th Round Pick (August 25)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived, Injury Settlement (August 24)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injury Settlement
CB Rodarius Williams - Waived, No Recall (August 19)
OT Julién Davenport - Free Agent Signing (August 16)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injured (August 16)
LB Ray Wilborn - Claimed off Waivers from DEN (August 15)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived/Injured (August 15)
DL D.J. Davidson - Passed Physical (August 14)
WR Jeff Smith - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (August 11)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Passed Physical (August 7)
OL Marcus McKethan - Passed Physical (August 7)
NT Donovan Jeter - Free Agent Signing (August 4)
WR Jeff Smith - Waived/Injured (August 4)
C Sean Harlow - Free Agent Signing (August 1)
OL J.C. Hassenauer - Reserve/Injured (August 1)
WR Sterling Shepard - Passed Physical (July 30)
WR Jamison Crowder - Passed Physical (July 30)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Injured (July 29)
LB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injury Settlement (July 29)
DT Kevin Atkins - Free Agent Signing (July 27)
T Andrew Thomas - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (July 26)
DT D.J. Davidson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
G Marcus McKethan - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
CB Aaron Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Sterling Shepard - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Jamison Crowder - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 25)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Did Not Report (July 25)
RB Saquon Barkley - Franchise Player Signing (July 25)
OLB Tashawn Bower - Free Agent Signing (July 25)
OLB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injured (July 25)
DB Trenton Thompson - Waived, No Recall (July 25)
DT Brandin Bryant - Free Agent Signing (July 24)
WR Makai Polk - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
WR Dre Miller - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
RB James Robinson - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
WR Cole Beasley - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
DB Darren Evans - Free Agent Signing (July 18)
LB Jarrad Davis - Reserve/Injured (July 18)
DB Leonard Johnson - Waived/Injured (July 18)
DL Kobe Smith - Free Agent Signing (June 15)
DL Dexter Lawrence - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (May 5)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Troy Brown - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Alex Cook - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
QB Tommy DeVito - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Gemon Green - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
TE Ryan Jones - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LS Cameron Lyons - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
CB Deonte Banks - Selected in Round 1 (Pick No. 24) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Deonte Banks - Selection List Signing (May 18)
OL John Michael Schmitz - Selected in Round 2 (Pick No. 57) of 2023 NFL Draft
C John Michael Schmitz - Selection List Signing (May 23)
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selected in Round 3 (Pick No. 73) of 2023 NFL Draft
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selection List Signing (May 15)
RB Eric Gray - Selection List Signing (May 5)
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selected in Round 6 (Pick No. 209) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DL Jordon Riley - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 243) of 2023 NFL Draft
RB Eric Gray - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 172) of 2023 NFL Draft
DL Jordan Riley - Selection List Signing (May 6)
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 254) of 2023 NFL Draft
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 24)
C J.C. Hassenauer - Free Agent Signing (April 7)
OLB Jihad Ward - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
CB Amani Oruwariye - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Jamison Crowder - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
S Bobby McCain - Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Darius Slayton - Free Agent Signing (March 20)
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Parris Campbell - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Jeff Smith - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
LB Bobby Okereke - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
WR Sterling Shepard - Free Agent Signing (March 15)
TE Darren Waller - Acquired via trade with Las Vegas Raiders (March 15)
RB Matt Breida - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 14)
P Jamie Gillan - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
G Wyatt Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
QB Daniel Jones - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
RB Saquon Barkley - Designated Franchise Player (March 7)
LB Jarrad Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 16)
G Jack Anderson - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 14)
TE Lawrence Cager - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 13)
WR David Sills V - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
DB Terrell Burgess - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
T Devery Hamilton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Dre Miller - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Makai Polk - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
T Korey Cunningham - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Trenton Thompson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Terrell Burgess - Waived/Injured (May 5)
G Solomon Kindley - Waived
WR Kenny Golladay - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 15)
