The New York Giants clearly have a ton of belief in their young core. After adding John Harbaugh as the new head coach, those expectations are only going to rise. As a result, the team is making sure to bring the roster forward to be a threat in the NFC.
Ahead of the 53-man roster cutdown, they are even twisting the rules a little to get their way. Alongside their full complement of receivers, the franchise is using some creativity to get a Super Bowl champion on the Week 1 roster.
Giants Get Creative With Veteran Wide Receiver
Last season, the Giants shifted to Jaxson Dart early in the season. But the wide receiver depth was compromised, especially after Malik Nabers went down with an injury in their first game together.
As a result, the team had just one wide receiver finish inside the top 50 of PFN’s Wide Receiver Impact Metrics. This season, the team will hope they have their full contingent of pass catchers to bring out the best in Dart as well.
From bringing back a veteran like Odell Beckham Jr. to a healthier starting unit, the Giants are leaving no stone unturned. But for Braxton Berrios, the team went an extra step to ensure he would be on the roster against the Dallas Cowboys in the season opener.
“The Giants are releasing veteran WR Braxton Berrios but plan on bringing him back for the first game, per source,” insider Adam Schefter confirmed on X. It didn’t take long for Jordan Raanan of ESPN to explain the loophole the team was exploiting.
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“Legal roster manipulation. Can do it with a vested veteran like Braxton Berrios.”
Berrios was drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft and won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots as a rookie.
From there, he became a solid complementary piece on both the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins. Usually in a backup role for both teams, Berrios has 1,360 yards and 6 touchdowns in 91 career games.
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He’s also been an effective runner, both from punts and kick return situations. And for a young roster, he brings a ton of experience and leadership to the locker room, which could be invaluable for this group.
With the preseason slate over and the roster cuts nearing completion, the focus for the Giants can now turn to the Cowboys, whom they take on in the first Sunday Night Football clash of the season, on Sunday, September 13, at 8:20 p.m. ET.
