The New York Giants released their first unofficial depth chart of the 2023 preseason on Tuesday, just days removed from their game against the Detroit Lions.
Overall, there were very few surprises but several notable takeaways — especially considering how practices have been structured and factoring in the rotations head coach Brian Daboll has been using.
Here are 10 quick takeaways.
John Michael Schmitz starting at center
Rookie John Michael Schmitz has been penciled in as the starting center since the moment the Giants selected him in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL draft, but he hasn’t taken the full complement of first-team reps. Ben Bredeson has also seen time at center and is currently listed as the team’s backup.
Behind JMS and Bredeson at center are Shane Lemieux and Jack Anderson.
Starters at wide receiver
The Giants have a ton of depth at wide receiver but the starting three will come as no surprise: Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton and Parris Campbell in the slot.
The first wave of backup wide receivers are Jalin Hyatt, Cole Beasley and Sterling Shepard.
Colling Johnson, Jamison Crowder and David Sills are listed as the second reserves with Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Jaydon Mickens and Kalil Pimpleton buried at the bottom.
Left guard
In addition to being listed as the backup center, Ben Bredeson is listed as the starting left guard. Behind him is the surging Tyre Phillips and then Shane Lemieux and Wyatt Davis.
Joshua Ezeudu is listed as the backup right guard behind Mark Glowinski.
Depth at tight end
Behind Darren Waller and Daniel Bellinger, it’s Lawrence Cager who gets the nod. Behind him is Tommy Sweeney with Chris Myarick and Ryan Jones listed side-by-side at the bottom.
Myarick is not listed as a fullback on this unofficial depth chart despite having that designation on the team’s official roster.
iDL
Rakeem Nuñez-Roches is listed as the primary backup at nose tackle behind Dexter Lawrence with A’Shawn Robinson listed as the primary reserve at defensive tackle behind Leonard Williams. Rookie Jordon Riley is the third nose tackle on the unofficial depth chart.
Edge rushers
The edge rush group breaks down as expected: Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari at the top with Oshane Ximines and Jihad Ward as their backups. Then comes Tomon Fox and Tashawn Bower with undrafted rookie Habakkuk Baldonado at the bottom.
A small surprise at ILB?
Micah McFadden has been considered the favorite to start alongside veteran Bobby Okereke at inside linebacker but currently, the Giants have Darrian Beavers penciled in as the starting WILL.
Carter Coughlin is listed as the backup to Okereke with Cam Brown falling in behind Beavers and McFadden.
Rookie climbing the ranks
The Giants still have Adoree’ Jackson listed as one of their starting outside cornerbacks alongside rookie Deonte Banks, but it’s another rookie — Tre Hawkins III — who finds himself listed as the team’s primary reserve.
Darnay Holmes is listed as the starting nickel corner ahead of Cor’Dale Flott.
Rodarius Williams finds himself listed behind Hawkins as the team’s second reserve alongside Darren Evans.
Safety shuffle
Jason Pinnock is currently listed as the team’s starting strong safety alongside Xavier McKinney (FS). Dane Belton is the primary backup behind Pinnock and Nick McCloud, who can also play cornerback, is listed as McKinney’s backup.
Bobby McCain is the second reserve at strong safety with rookie Gervarrius Owens finding himself as the second reserve at free safety.
Return men
Rookie running back Eric Gray is listed as the team’s primary punt returner. Fellow running back Gary Brightwell is penciled in as the primary kick returner with Gray listed as his backup.
Other kick returners on the unofficial depth chart: Kalil Pimpleton and Jaydon Mickens.
Other punt returners on the unofficial depth chart: Pimpleton, Mickens, Darnay Holmes and Darnay Holmes.
