Giants staring down roster upheaval with a dozen players possibly playing final game with team

Giants staring down roster upheaval with a dozen players possibly playing final game with team

The end is near.

The Giants’ miserable 3-13 season concludes Sunday against the Eagles, but 18 of their 22 starters (when healthy) remain under contract in 2025.

Whether that’s a good thing or not — upgrades are needed — remains to be seen.

Here are 12 Giants who could be in uniform for the final time in Week 18 — for one reason or another:

Free agents

WR Darius Slayton

The Giants’ leading receiver in four of the last six seasons had a great rapport with Daniel Jones — one of the reasons that he re-signed to a two-year deal in 2023 — so he is starting over with a new quarterback whether he stays or goes.

Darius Slayton scores a touchdown during the Giants’ game against the Colts on Dec. 29. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Part of Slayton’s value is his command of Daboll’s complex offense and translating it to younger players such as Malik Nabers.

S Jason Pinnock

One of the early strengths of this front-office regime was finding contributors on waivers.

None more significant than Pinnock, who has started 36 games over the last three seasons.

Jason Pinnock is pictured during the Giants’ practice on Aug. 4. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

He has 6.5 sacks as a weapon on blitzes, three forced fumbles and two interceptions during that span, but Schoen has let three better safeties leave as free agents because of his positional-value beliefs.

RG Greg Van Roten

Signed during training camp when it was clear that versatile Jermaine Eluemunor was needed at tackle, Van Roten is the only player on either side of the ball to play every snap.

He is the No. 30-ranked guard in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.

Whether the Long Island native returns could depend on his willingness to sign another one-year deal and compete to start.

QB Drew Lock

About to make his fifth start of the season, Lock had one of the best single-game performances in Giants’ history last week after previously throwing more pick-sixes (three) than touchdowns (one) since replacing the released Daniel Jones.

The quarterback depth chart is due for a full overhaul.

Drew Lock celebrates after a Giants touchdown during their win against the Colts on Dec. 29. Bill Kostroun for the NY Post

Lock will land as a proven No. 2 option somewhere.

Will he want to mentor a rookie here?

QB Tommy DeVito

The fan favorite will suit up, but DeVito might have already “played” his final game for the Giants barring something unexpected with Lock.

DeVito is a restricted free agent, so the Giants have the right to keep him on a non-guaranteed tender.

But he has bigger dreams than being a third-stringer.

Do they do the local boy a solid by letting him test his market?

OLB Azeez Ojulari

The former second-round pick won’t play because he is on injured reserve for the third time in four seasons.

Azeez Ojulari addresses reporters on Oct. 30. Bill Kostroun for the NY Post

He had six sacks in a limited role earlier this season, which could convince a pᴀss-rush-needy time to pay him more than the Giants would match to be their third rusher.

P Jamie Gillan

Gillan is averaging a career-low 43.9 yards per punt, but his inside-the-20-yard line percentage is a career-best 49.1.

Before he missed four games because of injury, he missed a PAT in Week 2.

DB Isaiah Simmons

Entering the season with renewed expectations as a hybrid linebacker/slot corner, Simmons played sparingly.

The former first-round pick made the biggest play of one of the Giants’ three wins — blocking a field goal returned for a touchdown — and is Malik Nabers’ closest friend on the team.

Possible cap casualties

K Graham Gano

Since signing an under-the-radar mistaken extension, Gano is 18-for-26 on field goals and has missed 16 of 33 games because of injury.

Gano’s long this season is 50 yards, which suggests maybe some waning leg strength in the formerly automatic Pro Bowler as he nears 38 years old.

Graham Gano reacts during the Giants’ game against the Saints on Dec. 8. Charles Wenzelberg

The Giants can save $3.16 million and take on $2.5 million ᴅᴇᴀᴅ money if he is released.

DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches

Signed in 2023 to be No. 5 on the defensive tackle depth chart, Nunez-Roches was elevated to starter in 2024.

The path to upgrading the NFL’s worst rushing defense starts with upgrading the complements to Dexter Lawrence.

Rakeem Nunez-Roches sacks Joe Flacco during the Giants’ win over the Colts on Dec. 29. Bill Kostroun for the NY Post

Nunez-Roches could return to providing solid depth, but at what cost?

The savings would be $3.6 million against a $1.43 million ᴅᴇᴀᴅ-cap charge.

Trade candidates

WR Jalin Hyatt

The 2023 third-round pick disappeared this season as he managed just eight catches for 62 yards on 328 snaps (down from 557 as a rookie) in 15 games.

The Post confirmed that a frustrated Hyatt mentioned a trade during a practice early in the season, but he denied requesting to be dealt.

Do the Giants trust the speedster to step into the outside role if Slayton leaves town?

RT Evan Neal

It is inconceivable that the Giants will exercise Neal’s fifth-year option for 2026, which means that he will be entering his contract year.

The former No. 7 overall pick won’t be the starting right tackle, so the options are to make him a backup, turn him into a guard or deal him for anything so that all sides get a fresh start.

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