The New York Giants continue to shuffle their roster, adding another experienced playmaker to the mix. Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud is signing with the Giants’ practice squad, according to reporter Darryl Orlando Ledbetter.

McCloud reunites with head coach Brian Daboll, who previously served as the offensive coordinator in Buffalo during McCloud’s time with the Bills. That familiarity could help speed up his transition into the Giants’ system.

Last season, McCloud recorded 62 receptions for 686 yards with the Atlanta Falcons. He’s known for his speed, versatility, and ability to contribute on special teams. While this move doesn’t immediately shake up the depth chart, it gives Daboll and the coaching staff another reliable option who understands the demands of the offense.

For a team still searching for consistency at wide receiver, this addition makes sense. McCloud can step in when injuries strike, and he has the veteran presence to help stabilize the position group.

Korie Black’s Journey Comes Full Circle

In one of those classic NFL twists, cornerback Korie Black is back where his career began. The Giants signed him to their active roster after a short stint with the Jets, bringing the rookie full circle.

Black, a seventh-round pick by the Giants, made enough noise in camp to earn a spot on the initial 53-man roster. But after the usual roster juggling, he was waived with hopes of returning to the practice squad. The Jets swooped in and added him to theirs, where he logged two games on special teams before landing right back in blue.

The timing couldn’t be better. Cornerback Paulson Adebo has already been ruled out for Sunday, and safety Jevon Holland is listed as doubtful. It’s officially a next-man-up situation. Many fans have grown frustrated with Deonte Banks, who now appears locked into the CB2 role despite inconsistent play. Personally, I’d like to see Cor’Dale Flott and Korie Black get the bulk of the snaps this week.

Both young corners bring energy, speed, and confidence to a defense that needs it right now. If they can step up and handle their assignments, it could spark a much-needed boost for the secondary heading into a crucial stretch.

Final Thoughts

These moves highlight the constant balancing act of an NFL season. McCloud provides depth and familiarity on offense, while Black brings athleticism and developmental upside to a banged-up secondary.

Both signings show that Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll are staying proactive, looking for ways to reinforce the roster while keeping an eye on the future. It’s a reminder that in the NFL, things have a funny way of coming full circle.

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The post Next Man Up: Giants Depth Tested Before Sunday first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

The New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced during a pre-training camp presser that they have activated rookie tight end Theo Johnson from the PUP list.

This move comes as a welcome boost for the Giants’ offense, which is looking to integrate fresh talent into its lineup.

Johnson, a promising draft pick known for his athleticism and versatility, had been sidelined due to an injury but is now ready to training camp upcoming preseason.

His activation is expected to enhance the depth and dynamic capabilities of the Giants’ tight end position.

Stay tuned for more Quick Notes! We aim to keep you updated with timely and frequent insights on all things New York Giants. Check back often for the latest updates

The post Giants Activate Rookie TE Theo Johnson from PUP List first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

The New York Giants have released QB Nathan Rourke, according to head coach Brian Daboll.

Rourke was claimed off waivers by the Giants on May 7th and was used sparingly during training camp.

Despite showing potential in limited practice sessions, Rourke struggled to secure a spot on the final roster amidst strong competition from other quarterbacks. The decision to release Rourke reflects the team’s confidence in their current QB lineup as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Stay tuned for more Quick Notes! We aim to keep you updated with timely and frequent insights on all things New York Giants. Check back often for the latest updates

The post Giants Release QB Nathan Rourke first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

Daniel Jones is entering a critical 2024 season coming off a torn ACL that prematurely ended a rocky 2023 campaign. Backing him up this offseason will be Drew Lock, who signed to the team this offseason on a one-year deal. While Jones is expected to be the Giants’ starter once again this season, one analyst thinks Lock could have a chance to see the field and potentially experience a career resurgence this season.

MMQB analyst envisions a Geno Smith-esque leap from Drew Lock

Dec 18, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Sports Illustrated’s MMQB staff recently debated the NFL’s most improved teams of the offseason. As Conor Orr made the case for the Giants as this offseason’s most improved team, he highlighted the addition of Lock as a reason why the team could take a step forward:

“I’ll throw the Giants into the ring for two reasons: Brian Burns changes the calculus of this defense, and I like the combination of Brian Daboll and Drew Lock and am very curious to see if it ends up bearing some Geno Smith-ian fruit for the Giants,” Orr wrote.

Smith, the 2022 AP Comeback Player of the Year, had a late breakout in his career. After being drafted by the New York Jets in 2013, it took Smith nearly a decade to finally earn his spot as a quality starter in this league.

Orr envisions a similar career trajectory for Lock. A second-round pick in 2019, Lock has 23 starts to his name — 21 with the Denver Broncos from 2019 to 2021 and two with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023. After sitting behind Smith in Seattle last season, Lock could have developed his talents for an eventual leap. Maybe pairing him with Daboll and the Giants’ playmakers could spur his growth in 2024.

• Could the Giants ‘leap’ back into playoff contention next season?
• Giants add another intriguing talent to their backfield
• Giants could stash promising linebacker on practice squad again for 2024 season

Could Lock really see the field for the Giants in 2024?

While imagining a “Geno Smith-ian” breakout for Lock is exciting, he’s going to need a lucky break to see the field this season — which would mean an unlucky break for the team’s starter in Jones.

However, Jones has an injury guarantee in his contract that will loom large over the Giants in 2024. If he gets injured this season and cannot pass a physical next offseason, the Giants will owe their quarterback an extra $41.6 million in guarantees in 2025.

Because of this clause, Jones needs to deliver this season. And if he does not play well, the G-Men could be incentivized to bench Jones in favor of Lock to keep themselves from owing the former more money. In that case, Lock would receive his opportunity to have his Geno Smith-esque breakout and propel himself into the conversation as an NFL starter.

The post Giants: Could Brian Daboll turn Drew Lock into the next Geno Smith? first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

Darnay Holmes is, somewhat surprisingly, back with the New York Giants for a fifth season. Let’s look at the veteran slot cornerback’s potential role in 2024 as we continue player-by-player profiles of the Giants’ 90-man roster.

The skinny

Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 195
Opening day age: 26
Position: Cornerback
Experience: 4
Contract: One-year, $2 million max value contract | 2024 cap hit: $1.275 million | Guaranteed in 2024: $50,000

Career to date

Selected out of UCLA in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Holmes was the Giants’ primary slot cornerback in each of his first three seasons. He started only 11 of 54 games, but played more than 50% of the team’s defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons.

In 2023, that changed. With Adoree’ Jackson beginning the year and Cor’Dale Flott eventually taking that responsibility, Holmes was relegated to spot duty on defense. He played a career-low 123 defensive snaps, just 12%, while being active for 16 games.

Holmes, though, found a new role. He played a career-high 194 special teams snaps, 45%. Holmes played 87 snaps as a punt gunner, and excelled in the role. That newfound special teams flexibility is likely part of the reason Holmes is back with the Giants.

2024 outlook

It appears Holmes is headed for a role similar to last season’s, provided he makes the team. The Giants are moving Flott to boundary cornerback after drafting Andru Phillips in the third round. Phillips and Nick McCloud took the bulk of reps in the slot during the spring.

Holmes’ experience could be valuable if he is called upon defensively, but he seems to be an afterthought in the competition for regular snaps. His ability as a gunner is what might be his ticket to a fifth year with the Giants.

The post Darnay Holmes back with Giants, but can he stick? first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

The New York Giants signed running back Jacob Saylors to their roster. Saylors was undrafted in 2023 out of East Tennessee State and spent the 2023 offseason with the Cincinnati Bengals. He received nine carries last preseason and turned that into 27 yards (3.0 yards per carry).

The 5-foot-11, 199-pound back ran a 4.66 40-yard dash with a 1.60 10-yard split. He benched 225 pounds 13 times, had a 32-inch vertical jump, and a 9-foot, 4-inch broad jump, with a 7.65 three-cone.

Saylors spent five years at East Tennessee State but didn’t regularly see the field until his fourth season on campus, where he averaged seven yards per carry with 977 yards and nine touchdowns. In his final two years, he also had 36 kick returns in college, with an average of 27 yards per return.

He rushed for 1,318 yards (5.8 YPC) with 15 touchdowns in his final collegiate season with 67 missed tackles forced. He finished his college career with 3.76 yards after contact. He also added 57 catches on 75 targets for 495 yards with four touchdowns through five seasons.

After failing to earn regular-season snaps in the NFL, Saylors went to the UFL, where he started for the St. Louis Battlehawks. He rushed for 458 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and five touchdowns in nine games this season. He also caught 23 of 33 passes for 152 yards with three touchdowns.

Here’s a fun highlight from his time in the UFL:

Saylors earned All-UFL honors in 2024 and leveraged that success into an NFL opportunity. He visited and worked out for the Giants last week and will now have an outside chance to compete for a role with the team.

The post Giants add depth to their RB position with top UFL rusher first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

Cota, 24, went undrafted in 2023 out of Oregon.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder who began his college career at UCLA, spent time on the practice squads of the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, and Houston Texans last season.

In late January, the Giants signed Cota to a reserve/futures contract but he was unlikely to make the final 53-man roster. He was more likely vying for a spot on the practice squad.

Cota will become eligible for an injury settlement, at which point he can be waived off of IR and will be free to sign with another team.

The post Giants place WR Chase Cota on injured reserve first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

Since Barkley defected to Philadelphia in free agency in March, the Giants have been gradually building up their running back room, creating a versatile and potentially electric group.

They signed veteran free agent Devin Singletary to pair with second-year back Eric Gray and then added Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the draft. They also signed former Columbia star Dante Miller and added UFL rushing leader Jacob Saylors this past week. They also still have Jashaun Corbin on the roster.

Are they done? It would seem so but there is always room for more. That aside, Dan Duggan of The Athletic believes there are only three locks for the final roster — Singletary, Gray, and Tracy.

Could Matt Breida be re-signed?

Miller is a great story who has generated buzz, but he has six collegiate carries since the 2021 season. The Giants should be able to get the 5-foot-9, 200-pounder safely to the practice squad barring a breakout preseason. The ticket to a roster spot for Miller would be as a returner, but the Giants have more experienced options for that role.

Five running backs aren’t enough to get through training camp, so a veteran addition is likely in the coming weeks. Re-signing Matt Breida seems like an obvious move to provide depth and experience to a young group.

This analysis was written before the Giants hopped on Saylors this week. Many agree that Miller is likely headed to the practice squad and there could be a reunion with Breida or another veteran if Saylors turns out to be fool’s gold.

The post Is re-signing Matt Breida an ‘obvious move’ for Giants? first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Tuesday afternoon that they’ve signed quarterback Matt Barkley off of the New York Giants practice squad.

The Giants originally signed Barkley as veteran depth on Oct. 31 after both Tyrod Taylor and Daniel Jones were forced onto the injured reserve due to rib and ACL injuries (respectively). Barkley was believed to be a potential starting option should UDFA rookie Tommy DeVito not be up to the task. DeVito instead managed to seize the starting job and hold on until this week against the Eagles.

Barkley was waived and then signed to the Giants’ practice squad once Taylor was activated from injured reserve.

The Jaguars signed Barkley as a veteran insurance policy with starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence dealing with a shoulder injury.

The move opens a spot on the Giants’ practice squad, which the Giants will need to fill. It seems likely that they’ll fill it with another quarterback as an emergency option for the final two games. The Giants worked out former Notre Dame quarterback — and 2021 fourth round pick — Ian Book when they worked out Barkley back in October. Book is still a free agent and the Giants could turn to him to fill out their practice squad.

The post Roster news: Jaguars sign QB Matt Barkley off of the Giants’ practice squad first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan said Friday that this means that Tyre Phillips will likely get the start at right tackle once again if Neal has to sit out the contest.

Evan Neal has been unavailable to play for over a month

If Neal doesn’t play Sunday, it would be his fifth consecutive game missed and his seventh overall this season. However, this is the first time since Nov. 5 that he has been able to practice in any capacity, so he is heading in the right direction.

The 2022 seventh-overall pick has struggled mightily in his short NFL career. This season, he has allowed 30 pressures in the games he has played and has a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 39.8.

Daboll would not commit to starting Neal upon his return

His struggles have been so paramount that Daboll would not say whether or not Neal would reclaim the starting right tackle spot once he is able to return, adding that Phillips has played well in the time he has played.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” said Daboll via NJ.com

As the Giants look to make a playoff push that seemed nearly impossible just weeks ago, they may be better off riding the hot hand by continuing to give Phillips reps at right tackle and not force the struggling Neal back in.

Darren Waller is trending in the right direction

In other injury news, tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) was designated to return off the injured reserve earlier this week, though it is currently unclear if he will be available for the game against the Saints. Daboll indicated that he wants to wait until after Friday’s practice before making a decision on his availability for Sunday.

The Giants have been desperately waiting for Waller to return, as the recent surge of quarterback, Tommy DeVito could continue if he is able to get one of his top targets on the field with him at the same time. Waller his missed the last month with a hamstring injury that had been nagging him for most of the season.

Follow this writer on X: @DylanBacker_

The post Giants likely to be without starting right tackle against Saints first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.