The 2017 New York Giants roster is one of the most talented rosters in the league, and one of the better rosters the Giants have had over the last decade.
In fact, the roster is so talented that a couple of players who have made contributions last season for Big Blue will have a hard time making the final roster this season.
Here are three New York Giants that are on the bubble to make the roster heading into training camp.
1. Will Tye
Over the past two seasons, Will Tye has been by far and away the most productive Giants tight end catching 90 passes for 859 yard and four touchdowns.
The only complaint there’s been of Tye is that he’s not a good blocker and that at 6-foot-2, he’s an undersized tight end.
In the offseason, the Giants acquired Rhett Ellison to be the blocking tight end, and in the first round of the draft, the Giants took Evan Engram who has superstar potential.
With these additions and the 5-foot-5 Jerell Adams and 6-foot-6 Matt LaCosse also competing to make the roster, Tye will need to be impressive in camp and in the preseason if he has any hope of making the roster.
2. Orleans Darkwa
There’s no denying Darkwa has potential. But in his three years with the Giants, his performance has never warranted him to be moved up the depth chart. In three seasons with the Giants, he’s run the ball just 71 times for 285 yards and four touchdowns.
With Paul Perkins pegged as the starter, Shane Vereen locked in as a third down back, and rookie Wayne Gallman expected to make a significant contribution this season, it’s far from a guarantee that Darkwa makes the roster.
The Giants will likely only keep five running backs on the roster, so Darkwa will be competing against Shaun Draughn and Khalid Abdullah for the final two spots. Darkwa will need to continue to step up on special teams if he’s going to make the roster.
3. Roger Lewis Jr.
The Giants have several talented wide receivers in not including their big three (Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, and Sterling Shepard). Roger Lewis Jr., Dwayne Harris, Tavarres King, Darius Powe and Travis Rudolph can all play.
Lewis Jr. may have the biggest upside out of all of the receivers outside of the big three. Despite limited playing time last season, he showed flashes of big play ability averaging 13.9 yards per reception.
But he was recently arrested and charged with OVI in Ohio, which greatly jeopardizes his chances of making the roster. There are four receivers locked to make the team (OBJ, Marshall, Shepard, Harris) and considering how King played in the Giants wild card loss to the Packers, you’d have to figure he’s also ahead of Lewis heading into training camp.