With cut day in the books and the preseason wrapped, the waiver wire has become the next place to find help. The Giants are sitting fifth in the waiver order, which gives them a real shot at adding players who can either plug holes right away or give the roster some needed depth.
New York didn’t take any huge hits in its own cuts, but Evan Neal and Jalin Hyatt were the most notable names to come off the roster picture. Beyond that, the Giants have obvious areas to address, and the waiver market is full of players who fit those needs.
The biggest focus should be up front on defense, where run-stopping bodies stand out as sensible targets. McKinnley Jackson, a 24-year-old defensive tackle from Texas A&M, brings a 6-foot-2, 330-pound frame and was drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The production may not jump off the page, but his strength is exactly what matters here: stopping the run. Rashaun Benny is another intriguing option.
The former Michigan Wolverine is listed at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, was a seventh-round pick this past April, and got squeezed out by numbers in Baltimore. He’s built on motor, gap control, and run defense.
Naz Stackhouse fits that same lane. The former Georgia Bulldog, who was signed by the Packers as a UDFA before being released, measures 6-foot-4 and 327 pounds.
His calling card is simple: run stuffing. Pairing that kind of presence with new Giants DT C.J.
Okoye, who stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs in at 370 pounds, would make life miserable for offensive linemen. Colby Wooden offers a different kind of value.
He’s not as big as the others, but he can line up at edge or tackle, plays stout against the run, and brings a fast, physical style that can disrupt plays in the backfield. According to PFF, he ranked 38th out of 146 defensive tackles in run stopping.
The offensive line is another spot where the Giants can keep churning the roster. Trevor Keegan, a 24-year-old guard drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, was an All-Conference guard at Michigan and turned in a strong preseason with the Cowboys.
Tristan Leigh, a 6-foot-6 rookie tackle out of Clemson, went undrafted before landing with the Vikings, and he also has the Senior Bowl connection with the Giants. Jake Majors, the undrafted Texas center, brings something else entirely.
Giants offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren called for “a smart prick,” and Majors fits that mold with his command, communication, and football IQ. He could challenge Bryan Hudson if he lands in New York.
In the secondary, the Giants may have the clearest need of all. Deonte Banks has looked good this summer and newcomer Greg Newsome has also started well, but depth is still an issue.
Mory Bamba, a 6-foot-2 corner from BYU, stands out as a developmental swing. He’s 25, posted a 4.27 40-yard dash and an 11-foot-1 broad jump, and handled both zone and man coverage.
Beanie Bishop is the more proven name. He’s played nickel, slot, and dime for the Steelers, fought through injury concerns, and still managed seven passes defended and four interceptions in two seasons.
He could give the Giants competition for Dru Phillips inside.
There’s also a linebacker worth watching. Deontae Lawson, a former All-American from Alabama, went undrafted but signed with the Eagles as a UDFA.
He was a team captain at Alabama, is known for his leadership, and brings speed, physicality, and violence to the position. He can play the run, drop into coverage, shed blocks, and make tackles at the line of scrimmage.
The Giants won’t claim all of these players, but the list gives them plenty to think about. The waiver wire is open, and the roster still has room to get better.
In Other News...
Giants Camp Already Has John Harbaugh Dealing With A Cam Skattebo Issue
Cam Skattebo has brought plenty of juice to Giants training camp, and not all of it has stayed neatly inside the lines. The second-year back, still working his way back after a serious ankle injury, has already turned heads with a botched backflip and a practice altercation that ended with a 15-yard penalty, reminders that his style comes with as much volatility as it does swagger.
John Harbaugh has noticed the same thing, saying Skattebos energy can spread through a team in both good ways and bad. For the Giants, that makes him one of the more intriguing players in camp, because the talent and role are there if he can harness the edge without letting it spill over into mistakes. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Just Sent A Brutal Message With Their Final Roster Cuts
The Giants final roster cuts carried the kind of blunt-force message teams usually try to soften. New York moved on from offensive lineman Evan Neal, its 2022 first-round pick, and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, a 2023 third-rounder, in a set of decisions that underscored how little room there was left for draft status to matter once the evaluation window closed. The roster churn also included the releases of quarterbacks Brandon Allen and Jake Haener, plus cornerback Korie Black landing on injured reserve.
Odell Beckham Jr.s return to the league gave the Giants a different kind of headline, since the veteran wideout was kept while younger, cheaper pieces were shown the door. For a team still trying to sort out its identity, the contrast was hard to miss: some familiar names are still in the picture, but the cutdown day results showed the front office is willing to make uncomfortable calls on recent investments if it thinks the fit is no longer there. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Keep Targeting Former Giants And Fans Have Every Reason To Notice
The Patriots have made a habit of circling back to former Giants players, and Darius Muasau is the latest name to land in New England. After the Giants waived the linebacker during roster cuts, the Patriots claimed him off waivers, adding another familiar face from a roster that has helped them fill out depth in recent years.
Muasau arrives in Foxborough with some real NFL experience for a player who entered the league as a sixth-round pick. He appeared in 27 games with 18 starts over two seasons in New York before his release, and his move only adds to the growing list of ex-Giants the Patriots have brought in, a trend Giants fans have every reason to keep noticing. [Read more 🡒]