Predicting the New York Giants' Week 1 Depth Chart

By Kenneth Teape

Predicting the New York Giants' Week 1 Depth Chart

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The New York Giants will open their season on Monday Night Football on the road against the Detroit Lions. Injury concerns made it difficult for the Giants to select a 53-man roster, as some positions are already ravaged by health concerns. Here is a prediction of what the Giants' depth chart should look like for the season opener.

Quarterback

Eli Manning Giants
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Quarterback

Eli Manning Giants
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QB1: Eli Manning (Starter)
QB2: Ryan Nassib

No surprises here as Manning will the starter for the Giants as long as he is healthy, just as he has been the past decade.

Running Back/Fullback

Rashad Jennings Giants1
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Running Back/Fullback

Rashad Jennings Giants
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RB1: Rashad Jennings (Starter)
RB2: Andre Williams
RB3: Peyton Hillis

FB1: Henry Hynoski (Starter)

Jennings is the featured back almost in a bell-cow role. Williams will mix in at the goal line and early downs when needed. Hillis will get his run if Jennings needs to be spelled on passing downs. If the preseason is any indication, Hynoski will be moved all over the offense depending on what the Giants need with a certain package.

Wide Receiever

New York Giants Wide Receivers
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Wide Receiever

New York Giants Wide Receivers1
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WR1: Victor Cruz (Starter)
WR2: Rueben Randle (Starter)
WR3: Jerrel Jernigan
WR4: Corey Washington
WR5: Preston Parker

Injuries will keep Odell Beckham Jr. out for a couple more weeks, forcing the Giants to move Jernigan to the outside and Washington and Parker up the depth chart. The Giants' base offense is a three-receiver set, but without Beckham Jr., they will go more traditional with a tight end.

Tight End

Daniel Fells Giants
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Tight End

Daniel Fells Giants
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TE1: Larry Donnell (Starter)
TE2: Daniel Fells
TE3: Adrien Robinson

No one stood out in the spring, training camp or preseason. Donnell should be the nominal starter, but all three should see playing time depending on the package the Giants are using. They will ride the hot hand, if they have one.

Offensive Line

Will Beatty Giants
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Offensive Line

Will Beatty Giants
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LT: Will Beatty (Starter) Charles Brown
LG: Weston Richburg (Starter)
C: J.D. Walton (Starter) Dallas Reynolds
RG: John Jerry (Starter)
RT: Justin Pugh (Starter)

Injuries have caused a disaster along the O-Line for the Giants. Geoff Schwartz and Brandon Mosley injuries leave the Giants with two guards they thought would be backups at best starting Week 1.

Defensive Line

Jason Pierre-Paul Giants
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Defensive Line

Jason Pierre-Paul Giants
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LE: Mathias Kiwanuka (Starter) Robert Ayers, Kerry Wynn
LDT: Mike Patterson (Starter), Jonathan Hankins
RDT: Cullen Jenkins (Starter), Jay Bromley
RE: Jason Pierre-Paul (Starter), Damontre Moore

Kiwanuka should draw the start to begin the season, but very well could find himself behind Moore, and possibly Ayers, if their performances continue on from the preseason.

Linebacker

Jon Beason Giants
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Linebacker

Jon Beason Giants
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WLB: Jacquian Williams (Starter), Spencer Paysinger
MLB: Jon Beason (Starter), Mark Herzlich
SLB: Jameel McClain (Starter), Devon Kennard

Beason is expected to return after injuring his foot in the offseason. If he cannot play, McClain will shift to the middle and Kennard will take over on the outside. Expect to see Kennard on the field anyway as his play in the preseason in games and practice has warranted regular season playing time.

Defensive Backs

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond Giants
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Defensive Backs

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond Giants1
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LCB: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Starter), Trumaine McBride
RCB: Prince Amukamara (Starter), Zach Bowman
Nickel: Walter Thurmond
FS: Stevie Brown (Starter), Quintin Demps
SS: Antrel Rolle (Starter), Nat Berhe

This is the deepest, most talented unit the Giants have. Amukamara dealt with a groin injury throughout the preseason, but should be good to go for the season opener. If not, Bowman will step in.

Special Teams

Josh Brown and Steve Weatherford
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Special Teams

Josh Brown and Steve Weatherford
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K: Josh Brown
P: Steve Weatherford
LS: Zak DeOssie
KR: Quintin Demps
PR: Preston Parker

Brown beat out Brandon McManus for the kicker spot, while Weatherford and DeOssie will hold the same spot they have for a number of seasons. Parker will return punts as long as Beckham Jr. is sidelined. His roster spot is in jeopardy once Beckham Jr. is healthy enough to play.

Kenneth Teape is a New York Giants writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @teapester725 or join his Google network

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