Training Camp for teams across the NFL, including the New York Giants, are set to begin very soon. The team hopes they have much better results this season after a downright disappointing year in 2023. Training camp also means the possibility of players being either traded or cut before stepping out on the field.
As for this Giants team, they’re expected to have some new faces. Notable faces are now gone, with players like running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney moving on to different teams. Some new players are joining the team, like first-round pick Malik Nabers out of LSU and running back Devin Singletary, who will take over the reins as the Giants’ new running back.
It is up in the air about what kind of year to expect from the New York Giants in 2024, but for now, it is time to start thinking about what this roster may look like before Week 1. With all that said, which three players on this Giants squad are most likely to be traded or cut before the start of the season?
WR Darius Slayton
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Wide receiver Darius Slayton has become a fan favorite and a favorite target for Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. New York drafted the former Auburn wideout back in 2019 with their fifth-round pick, and some would say that was a steal. But with the wide receiver room becoming more crowded for the Giants, it may be time to say goodbye to Slayton.
Despite leading the Giants in receiving yards in back-to-back seasons, including setting a career-high in receiving yards with 770 last season, it makes sense if the team wants to cut ties with him. He’s not had a 1,000-yard season yet for the Giants since entering the league almost five years ago, and with the addition of Nabers, Slayton may not have much of a fit on this team.
The Giants are also hoping for big things out of wideout Jalin Hyatt, who New York drafted out of the third round last season, and they’re also hoping that wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson can build off a nice sophomore showing from a season ago.
Big Blue also has Isaiah Hodgins, who they hope can revamp what he did with the team in 2022 when he had over 350 receiving yards in limited action. Those wide receivers could see much more playing time over Slayton, so it won’t be a surprise if the Giants decide to cut or trade him.
Edge Rusher Azeez Ojulari
When the Giants drafted Azeez Ojulari over three years ago with their second overall pick, they hoped he would be a sneaky and generational talent. It sure looked that way during his rookie season in 2021 when he set an all-time Giants rookie record for sacks with eight back in 2021. But from lingering injuries and lack of playing time, it won’t be a surprise if he does get cut or traded.
Since that impressive rookie campaign, Ojulari has only had a combined eight sacks and was on the injured reserve list multiple times in 2022 and last season as well. He’s become unreliable for the Giants on defense, and whether it’s via trade or if they cut him, he may need to go. With the addition of pass rusher Brian Burns, the Giants received from the Carolina Panthers, he, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Dexter Lawerence look like the future of the team’s defensive front.
QB Tommy DeVito
It was a fun ride watching Tommy DeVito, or “Tommy Cutlets,” as he was affectionately called, playing under-center for the Giants. But all fun things must come to an end, and unfortunately for DeVito, that may happen before Week 1.
While DeVito did light a spark for the Giants last season in what was a miserable year in winning three straight games, he does not seem to fit well on the Giants team for this year and the future. While he did pass for over 1,100 yards last season and completed over 64% of his passes, he had his fair share of issues against some elite NFL squads.
Against the Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas last year, he passed for just 55 yards in the first half with no touchdowns to show. He averaged just under 3.5 yards a throw and completed just 55% of his passes. That performance resulted in him getting benched for the second half, possibly ending any hopes for a spot on this Giants team.
Giants Sign Lock
Plus, the New York Giants did go out this offseason and sign a much more reliable backup quarterback by signing former Denver Bronco and Seattle Seahawk Drew Lock to a one-year deal. He has much more NFL experience and is the reasonable backup to sit behind Daniel Jones.
It was a fun time watching Tommy DeVito in his brief Giant career, but it may be coming to an end. I’m sorry, “Tommy Cutlet” fans, but it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if he does get traded or cut.
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