Saturday’s dominant 26-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins should feel like a relief, but for Head Coach John Harbaugh and General Manager Joe Schoen, it just cranked up the pressure. They are staring down some excruciatingly difficult decisions as they try to finalize the New York Giants’ 53-man, season-opening roster. This is not some easy cut day; it is a brutal puzzle, especially after so many guys apparently made their case on the field. Harbaugh himself said, “There’s a lot of guys fighting for jobs on this team. And I thought they came out and they made a point to try to make their case. And they did a good job of it.” Oof, good for the players, tough for the front office.
The Running Back Logjam Is No Joke
Talk about a headache for the coaching staff, right? The biggest question in the backfield is all about Tyrone Tracy. After the addition of Najee Harris, the whole running back math got thrown out the window. Harris, Cam Skattebo, and fullback Patrick Ricard are locks. Devin Singletary? He is practically glued to a spot, too. The guy just keeps making plays. He put up 40 yards on eight carries, including a sweet 13-yard touchdown run, on Saturday. Harbaugh could not stop praising him, saying, “He did great. He played like he always plays. He is one of the most consistent players you’re ever going to see.” When your coach says that, you are usually safe.
So, where does that leave Tracy? He is a good player, for real, with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons from scrimmage under his belt. But here’s the kicker: those were for Brian Daboll, not Harbaugh. What has Tracy done for Harbaugh? He has made “huge mistakes” in two straight games. Seriously, if the coach does not trust him to keep Jaxson Dart healthy or hold onto the ball, why would he use him? It is a brutal reality. Five running backs might just be one too many for this roster. Could they really swing a trade for Tracy, like they did for Daniel Faalele, to avoid losing him for nothing? It is a real possibility, and it is wild to think about.
Wide Receiver Drama and O-Line Shuffles
The wide receiver room is another spot where things are getting tight. Darnell Mooney and Braxton Berrios did not even suit up on Saturday, which usually means their spots are secure. That puts Malik Nabers, Mooney, Berrios, Malachi Fields, Calvin Austin, and Darius Slayton all on the 53. That is six! Can they really keep a seventh? This is where the fan favorite versus special teams ace debate kicks in. Do you go with the sentimental choice, Odell Beckham Jr., who can still get open but cannot play special teams and would likely be the last receiver on the depth chart? Or do you pick Dalen Cambre, the special teams monster who also keeps showing he can be useful as a receiver? It is a tough call when every spot matters.
And let us not forget the big boys up front. Josh Ezeudu definitely earned his spot on the offensive line, but then he got dinged up in the second half on Saturday, so his health is now a massive question mark. Rookie sixth-round pick J.C. Davis? He was looking like a practice squad guy until Saturday. Then he played 81 snaps at left tackle, and played them *well*. There is no way he clears waivers now. He has got to be on the 53-man roster. Marcus Mbow, Aaron Stinnie, and Lucas Patrick should also be on the roster. So, how many O-linemen can they stash, and who are the backups? It feels like every good snap someone makes adds another layer of complexity.
These decisions are coming fast and hard. Harbaugh is set to speak with the media on Sunday afternoon, and you know everyone is going to be asking about these impossible calls. The shape of the Giants’ season is literally being decided right now, piece by agonizing piece.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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