Patricia Traina· Aug 29, 2026
Traina projects the Giants' initial 53-man roster position by position, naming who makes the team and who lands on the practice squad, including keeping Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Evan Neal (with a possible trade), Dalen Cambre over Braxton Berrios, Lucas Patrick as backup center, and Dominic Zvada as the kicker.
“Cutting him after a bad couple of games would be shortsighted.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
60 checkable claims — 58 roster spot calls and 2 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 59 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
4 of 60 have settled so far, averaging 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Thomas Fidone II
- New York Giants
- Bryan Hudson
- Elijah Campbell
- Bobby Jamison-Travis
- John Michael Schmitz
- Evan Neal
- Malachi Fields
- Jermaine Eluemunor
- Aaron Stinnie
- Darius Alexander
- Jevon Holland
- Jason Pinnock
- Ar'Darius Washington
- Tremaine Edmunds
- Trace Ford
- Cam Skattebo
- Isaiah Likely
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- Dominic Zvada
- C.J. Okoye
- DJ Reader
- Patrick Ricard
- Micah McFadden
- Darnell Mooney
- Darius Slayton
- Devin Singletary
- Tyrone Tracy Jr.
- Theo Johnson
- Jon Runyan
- Lucas Patrick
- Shelby Harris
- Arvell Reese
- Caleb Murphy
- Colton Hood
- Chauncey Golston
- Andrew Thomas
- Tyler Nubin
- Najee Harris
- Brian Burns
- Abdul Carter
- Zaire Barnes
- Jordan Stout
- Andru Phillips
- Nic Jones
- Paulson Adebo
- Ben Mann
- Francis Mauigoa
- Malik Nabers
- J.C. Davis
- Deonte Banks
- Dalen Cambre
- Jaxson Dart
- Marcus Mbow
- Jack Kelly
- Jameis Winston
- Kayvon Thibodeaux
- Greg Newsome II
- Chris Manhertz
60 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Roster Spot CallsThomas Fidone IINew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Thomas Fidone II to make the roster
“The tough call is Thomas Fidone II ... Unfortunately, the numbers don’t appear to favor his chances of making the roster.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NYG
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- 18916953-d141-4390-a938-c6f8bc0a4232
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Roster Spot CallsBryan HudsonNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Bryan Hudson to make the roster
“Ideally, the Giants slide Bryan Hudson through to the practice squad as insurance.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NYG
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- 529a0e41-2128-494e-9f99-182d3c6c8d34
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he lands on the practice squad
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Roster Spot CallsElijah CampbellNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Elijah Campbell to make the roster
“Elijah Campbell was brought in here to contribute on special teams, but this will be a case where he gets swept up in the numbers.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NYG
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- 7adaf95c-7821-4c5b-970f-84b20a14d275
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Bobby Jamison-Travis to make the roster
“That addition should mean sixth-round draft pick Bobby Jamison-Travis goes to the practice squad”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NYG
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- 068bf380-9c21-4373-99b3-ea7cdf80e6c5
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he lands on the practice squad
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
John Michael Schmitz to make the roster
“Offensive Linemen (10) Andrew Thomas Jon Runyan John Michael Schmitz Francis Mauigoa Jermaine Eluemunor Marcus Mbow J.C. Davis Lucas Patrick Aaron Stinnie Evan Neal”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsEvan NealNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Evan Neal to make the roster
“I could see the Giants initially keeping Evan Neal, who was fantastic as a run blocker, and then seeing if they can trade him once the dust settles.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsMalachi FieldsNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Malachi Fields to make the roster
“Receivers (6) Malik Nabers Malachi Fields Darius Slayton Darnell Mooney Odell Beckham Jr. Dalen Cambre”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jermaine Eluemunor to make the roster
“Offensive Linemen (10) Andrew Thomas Jon Runyan John Michael Schmitz Francis Mauigoa Jermaine Eluemunor Marcus Mbow J.C. Davis Lucas Patrick Aaron Stinnie Evan Neal”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsAaron StinnieNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Aaron Stinnie to make the roster
“Offensive Linemen (10) ... Aaron Stinnie”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDarius AlexanderNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Darius Alexander to make the roster
“Defensive Linemen (5) D.J. Reader Darius Alexander Shelby Harris Chauncey Golston C.J. Okoye”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsJevon HollandNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Jevon Holland to make the roster
“Safeties (4) Jevon Holland Tyler Nubin Jason Pinnock Ar’Darius Washington”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsJason PinnockNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Jason Pinnock to make the roster
“Safeties (4) Jevon Holland Tyler Nubin Jason Pinnock Ar’Darius Washington”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Ar'Darius Washington to make the roster
“Safeties (4) Jevon Holland Tyler Nubin Jason Pinnock Ar’Darius Washington”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsTremaine EdmundsNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Tremaine Edmunds to make the roster
“Inside Linebackers (5) Arvell Reese Tremaine Edmunds Micah McFadden Jack Kelly Zaire Barnes”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsTrace FordNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Trace Ford to make the roster
“Ford finished his summer strong, showing up well with the inside pressure.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsCam SkatteboNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Cam Skattebo to make the roster
“Running Backs (4) Najee Harris Cam Skattebo Tyrone Tracy, Jr. Devin Singletary”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsIsaiah LikelyNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Isaiah Likely to make the roster
“Tight Ends (4) Isaiah Likely Theo Johnson Chris Manhertz Patrick Ricard (FB)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Odell Beckham Jr. to make the roster
“Receivers (6) Malik Nabers Malachi Fields Darius Slayton Darnell Mooney Odell Beckham Jr. Dalen Cambre”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDominic ZvadaNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Dominic Zvada to be 1st on the depth chart
“he’s already been declared the winner of the kicking battle by head coach John Harbaugh”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsC.J. OkoyeNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
C.J. Okoye to make the roster
“Defensive Linemen (5) D.J. Reader Darius Alexander Shelby Harris Chauncey Golston C.J. Okoye”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDJ ReaderNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
DJ Reader to make the roster
“Defensive Linemen (5) D.J. Reader Darius Alexander Shelby Harris Chauncey Golston C.J. Okoye”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsPatrick RicardNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Patrick Ricard to make the roster
“Ricard has been working with the tight ends, so he’s not going anywhere either.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsMicah McFaddenNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Micah McFadden to make the roster
“Inside Linebackers (5) Arvell Reese Tremaine Edmunds Micah McFadden Jack Kelly Zaire Barnes”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDarnell MooneyNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Darnell Mooney to make the roster
“Receivers (6) Malik Nabers Malachi Fields Darius Slayton Darnell Mooney Odell Beckham Jr. Dalen Cambre”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDarius SlaytonNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Darius Slayton to make the roster
“Receivers (6) Malik Nabers Malachi Fields Darius Slayton Darnell Mooney Odell Beckham Jr. Dalen Cambre”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDevin SingletaryNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Devin Singletary to make the roster
“Running Backs (4) Najee Harris Cam Skattebo Tyrone Tracy, Jr. Devin Singletary”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsTyrone Tracy Jr.New York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Tyrone Tracy Jr. to make the roster
“Given Tyrone Tracy’s rough couple of weeks, some anticipate that he’s going to be the odd man out ... Cutting him after a bad couple of games would be shortsighted.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsTheo JohnsonNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Theo Johnson to make the roster
“Tight Ends (4) Isaiah Likely Theo Johnson Chris Manhertz Patrick Ricard (FB)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsJon RunyanNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Jon Runyan to make the roster
“Offensive Linemen (10) Andrew Thomas Jon Runyan John Michael Schmitz Francis Mauigoa Jermaine Eluemunor Marcus Mbow J.C. Davis Lucas Patrick Aaron Stinnie Evan Neal”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsLucas PatrickNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Lucas Patrick to make the roster
“Offensive Linemen (10) ... Lucas Patrick”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsShelby HarrisNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Shelby Harris to make the roster
“Defensive Linemen (5) D.J. Reader Darius Alexander Shelby Harris Chauncey Golston C.J. Okoye”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsArvell ReeseNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Arvell Reese to make the roster
“Inside Linebackers (5) Arvell Reese Tremaine Edmunds Micah McFadden Jack Kelly Zaire Barnes”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsCaleb MurphyNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Caleb Murphy to make the roster
“Caleb Murphy, who we had on the roster in an earlier version, was invisible for most of the night.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsColton HoodNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Colton Hood to make the roster
“Cornerbacks (6) Paulson Adebo Greg Newsome II Colton Hood Dru Phillips Deonte Banks Nic Jones”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDominic ZvadaNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Dominic Zvada to make the roster
“Specialists (3) Kicker Dominic Zvada Long Snapper Ben Mann Punter Jordan Stout”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsChauncey GolstonNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Chauncey Golston to make the roster
“Defensive Linemen (5) D.J. Reader Darius Alexander Shelby Harris Chauncey Golston C.J. Okoye”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsAndrew ThomasNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Andrew Thomas to make the roster
“Offensive Linemen (10) Andrew Thomas Jon Runyan John Michael Schmitz Francis Mauigoa Jermaine Eluemunor Marcus Mbow J.C. Davis Lucas Patrick Aaron Stinnie Evan Neal”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsTyler NubinNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Tyler Nubin to make the roster
“Safeties (4) Jevon Holland Tyler Nubin Jason Pinnock Ar’Darius Washington”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsNajee HarrisNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Najee Harris to make the roster
“Running Backs (4) Najee Harris Cam Skattebo Tyrone Tracy, Jr. Devin Singletary”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsBrian BurnsNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Brian Burns to make the roster
“Outside Linebackers (4) Brian Burns Abdul Carter Kayvon Thibodeaux Trace Ford”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsAbdul CarterNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Abdul Carter to make the roster
“Outside Linebackers (4) Brian Burns Abdul Carter Kayvon Thibodeaux Trace Ford”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsZaire BarnesNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Zaire Barnes to make the roster
“The last spot at this position came down to Barnes and Darius Muasau. It was a solid battle, but Barnes did way more on both defense and special teams”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsJordan StoutNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Jordan Stout to make the roster
“Specialists (3) Kicker Dominic Zvada Long Snapper Ben Mann Punter Jordan Stout”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsAndru PhillipsNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Andru Phillips to make the roster
“Cornerbacks (6) Paulson Adebo Greg Newsome II Colton Hood Dru Phillips Deonte Banks Nic Jones”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsNic JonesNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Nic Jones to make the roster
“The last spot on this unit was a toss-up between Nic Jones and Art Green ... Green’s injury late in the game might have swung the pendulum in Jones’s favor for that final spot.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsLucas PatrickNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Lucas Patrick to be 2nd on the depth chart
“I went back and forth on the backup center, but Patrick ultimately won the job.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsPaulson AdeboNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Paulson Adebo to make the roster
“Cornerbacks (6) Paulson Adebo Greg Newsome II Colton Hood Dru Phillips Deonte Banks Nic Jones”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsBen MannNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Ben Mann to make the roster
“Specialists (3) Kicker Dominic Zvada Long Snapper Ben Mann Punter Jordan Stout”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsFrancis MauigoaNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Francis Mauigoa to make the roster
“Offensive Linemen (10) Andrew Thomas Jon Runyan John Michael Schmitz Francis Mauigoa Jermaine Eluemunor Marcus Mbow J.C. Davis Lucas Patrick Aaron Stinnie Evan Neal”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsMalik NabersNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Malik Nabers to make the roster
“Receivers (6) Malik Nabers Malachi Fields Darius Slayton Darnell Mooney Odell Beckham Jr. Dalen Cambre”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsJ.C. DavisNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
J.C. Davis to make the roster
“Offensive Linemen (10) Andrew Thomas Jon Runyan John Michael Schmitz Francis Mauigoa Jermaine Eluemunor Marcus Mbow J.C. Davis Lucas Patrick Aaron Stinnie Evan Neal”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDeonte BanksNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Deonte Banks to make the roster
“Cornerbacks (6) Paulson Adebo Greg Newsome II Colton Hood Dru Phillips Deonte Banks Nic Jones”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsDalen CambreNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Dalen Cambre to make the roster
“The final roster spot ultimately comes down to Dalen Cambre or Braxton Berrios ... I think overall Cambre brought more to the table this summer than Berrios.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsJaxson DartNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Jaxson Dart to make the roster
“Quarterbacks (2) Jaxson Dart Jameis Winston”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsMarcus MbowNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Marcus Mbow to make the roster
“Offensive Linemen (10) Andrew Thomas Jon Runyan John Michael Schmitz Francis Mauigoa Jermaine Eluemunor Marcus Mbow J.C. Davis Lucas Patrick Aaron Stinnie Evan Neal”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsJack KellyNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Jack Kelly to make the roster
“Inside Linebackers (5) Arvell Reese Tremaine Edmunds Micah McFadden Jack Kelly Zaire Barnes”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsJameis WinstonNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Jameis Winston to make the roster
“Quarterbacks (2) Jaxson Dart Jameis Winston”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kayvon Thibodeaux to make the roster
“Outside Linebackers (4) Brian Burns Abdul Carter Kayvon Thibodeaux Trace Ford”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsGreg Newsome IINew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Greg Newsome II to make the roster
“Cornerbacks (6) Paulson Adebo Greg Newsome II Colton Hood Dru Phillips Deonte Banks Nic Jones”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsChris ManhertzNew York GiantsAug 29, 2026
Chris Manhertz to make the roster
“Chris Manhertz’s inclusion on the leadership council means his roster spot is secured.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Chad Millman said he had taken money-line positions on several Week 1 underdogs — the Texans outright over the Bills, the Giants outright over Dallas (in a money-line underdog parlay), and Miami outright at Las Vegas — and that the show's survivor pick was the Steelers to win.
- Simon HunterGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Hunter picked Houston and the Giants as underdog money line plays, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit as favorites, and used Pittsburgh plus the Chargers as his survivor picks for week one.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Millman backed several week one sides outright: Miami to beat the Raiders straight up, the Jets over the Titans, an underdog money line parlay of Houston and the Giants, and a favorites money line parlay of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit. He also stands by his preseason take that Drake Maye is a top-five NFL quarterback.
- Danny ParkinsGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Parkins picked the Giants to upset Dallas, the Steelers to beat Atlanta by two scores, the Bears to beat Carolina, the Bills to beat Houston and Denver to beat Kansas City outright; he also said Justin Herbert will win an MVP and had the Bengals as AFC North champs.
- LaVar ArringtonGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Arrington picked the Steelers over the Falcons, the Bengals to cover against the Buccaneers, the Texans on the money line over the Bills, and the Giants to upset the Cowboys.
- Mike FlorioScore Predictions · New York GiantsHit · 86Florio gives score predictions for every Week 1 game of the 2026 NFL season, including an opening-night upset by the Patriots in Seattle and narrow home wins for the Giants and Chiefs.
More roster spot calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- John ShipleyRoster Spot Calls · Jack KiserMiss · 0Shipley projects a full 16-player (plus one international/exemption spot) Jaguars practice squad for 2026, naming specific players at each position he expects to land there.
- Cody RourkeRoster Spot Calls · Mitchell FraboniMiss · 0Rourke names the Ravens as the bounce-back team most likely to be dangerous in the AFC again, and says Houston's defense alone should carry the Texans into the postseason. He also expects long snapper Mitchell Fraboni to be one of Denver's practice-squad elevations for the Chiefs game, and slots Pat Bryant as Denver's third receiver behind Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle.
- Sayre BedingerRoster Spot Calls · Adam PrenticeMiss · 0Benninger expects Houston's elite defense to make them either a division winner or a wild card team, thinks Marvin Mims was trending toward being Denver's fourth receiver rather than just the return man, and figures Adam Prentice will be the Broncos' other practice-squad call-up.
- Bob MorrisRoster Spot Calls · Adam PrenticeHit · 100Morris predicts Jarrett Stidham holds the backup QB job behind Bo Nix, Adam Prentice makes the 53-man roster as the fullback/fourth back, and Lucas Krull gets cut.
- Erick TrickelRoster Spot Calls · Adam PrenticeHit · 100After the Broncos' preseason opener, Trickel argued fullback Adam Prentice has shown enough value to earn a spot on the 53-man roster ahead of the team's fourth running back options (Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, Cody Schrader).
- Nick ShookRoster Spot Calls · Aaron DonaldHit · 100Shook unveiled his first NFL power rankings of the year, putting the Rams first, the Broncos second and the defending champion Seahawks only third, with the Dolphins last.