New York Giants Projected to Make Regrettable Roster Cut

The New York Giants don't actually have too many intriguing position battles heading into training camp, but one area that stands out is definitely wide receiver.

We know that Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III and Malachi Fields are locks to make the roster. But what about those final one or two slots?

The Giants will probably keep six receivers, but there is always the chance they add an extra wide out to the roster for special teams purposes (like Braxton Berrios, for example).

Odell Beckham Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster, Berrios, Isaiah Hodgins, Jalin Hyatt, Beaux Collins and several others (who honestly aren't worth mentioning) will be competing for one or two roster spots this summer, which would make for an interesting storyline.

Dan Duggan of The Athletic just projected New York's 53-man roster, and he expects the Giants to keep six receivers. And who does he think will earn that final slot? Beckham, which means Smith-Schuster would get cut.

"I don’t believe the Giants re-signed Beckham without seeing a path to a roster spot," Duggan wrote. "He’s obviously not what he once was, but he didn’t look washed-up this spring. The challenge for Beckham will be staying healthy during a rigorous training camp after being out of the league for over a year."

John Harbaugh coached Beckham in Baltimore back in 2023 and developed a strong relationship with the three-time Pro Bowler, so bias may end up involved here.

But can Harbaugh comfortably give Beckham a roster spot over Smith-Schuster when Beckham didn't play at all last season and was last seen logging nine catches in nine games for the Miami Dolphins in 2024?

Smith-Schuster, on the other hand, has been consistently productive. He caught 33 passes for 345 yards and a touchdown with the Kansas City Chiefs last year, and back in 2022, he hauled in 78 receptions for 933 yards and three scores, helping lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory.

Beckham, meanwhile, has managed just one 1,000-yard campaign since being traded from the Giants back in March 2019. That lone 1,000-yard showing came during his debut campaign with the Cleveland Browns that ensuing season. The 33-year-old has posted 500 yards just twice since and hasn't reached 600 yards.

Smith-Schuster is hardly a No. 1 or even a No. 2 at this stage, but, at the very least, he has represented a sure-handed weapon with Super Bowl experience, which is something New York absolutely needs.

Beckham is obviously the sexier name and spent the first five years of his NFL career with Big Blue between 2014 and 2018. He was a phenomenal weapon then. That just isn't the case a decade later.

There is a reason why no team was willing to give Beckham a shot in 2025, and there is a reason the Dolphins cut him in December 2024.

Sure, Beckham's return to New York is a good story, but is awarding him a roster spot actually practical, especially for a team that could potentially be without Nabers early on next season? The Giants need receivers who can actually produce. Smith-Schuster has consistently done that. Beckham hasn't done it in three years.

If New York boots Smith-Schuster in favor of Beckham, it would be making a pretty significant mistake.

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