The New York Giants established their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday but immediate changes were expected. Among them were waiver claims, which was an opportunity the Giants could maximize given the NFL’s waiver order.
At noon ET on Wednesday, those claims became official. And for the Giants, they walked away with four new players.
DB Jason Pinnock, Jets
The Giants claimed safety Jason Pinnock from the New York Jets to add depth to the defensive backfield. Pinnock was a fifth-round pick out of Pittsburgh in the 2021 NFL draft. He spent last season with the Jets where he recorded 16 tackles, one pass defensed and two forced fumbles.
“He’s good on teams. He had some good film out there playing in the deep part of the field. Practiced against him, played against him. He has some redeeming qualities and traits that when the (scouts) watched him they thought it’d be a good claim,” head coach Brian Daboll said of Pinnock.
DB Nick McCloud, Bills
Nick McCloud is another defensive back that the Giants claimed from a New York team. The former Buffalo Bill has appeared in two games in his NFL career where he has recorded no stats as a cornerback. McCloud, an undrafted free agent, adds depth to a depleted secondary.
OG Jack Anderson, Eagles
Jack Anderson, a former seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, should provide depth at the guard and center spot for the Giants. He spent the 2021 NFL season with the Philadelphia Eagles and is a former First-team All-Big 12 lineman.
DB Justin Layne, Steelers
Justin Layne, a former third-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, has been claimed by the Giants. Layne has spent the last three seasons with the Steelers where he has appeared in 43 games starting in none. Layne has recorded 41 tackles and one fumble recovery and should help provide Big Blue with much needed cornerback depth.
Four released
In order to clear room for the four incoming players, the Giants also released four. They include offensive lineman Max Garcia, defensive lineman Nick Williams, linebacker Austin Calitro and tight end Tanner Hudson.
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The Giants are also slated to place three players on injured reserve, which would allow them to re-sign three of the four who have been released.
