Giants Roster Bubble Watch: 5 Players Fighting for a Spot at 2025 Training Camp

1. Daniel Bellinger – The “Safe Bet” Under Tight End Siege

Believe it or not, Daniel Bellinger—a reliable, do-it-all tight end—might not have a guaranteed ticket to Big Blue’s final 53. Here’s what’s eating at his bubble:

• Rising Competition: Rookie Theo Johnson dazzled scouts at Penn State with his catch radius and run-after-catch chops. Meanwhile, veteran blocker Chris Manhertz is built like a freight train and brings proven NFL grit.

• The Wildcard Rookie: Thomas Fidone, once a five-star recruit, was unstoppable before a string of knee injuries. If he flashes the explosiveness he showed in high school, the pecking order could shift overnight.

• Special Teams Edge: Bellinger must carve out a role on kick coverage or return units. Giants brass will love a tight end who can clobber on punt coverage when he’s not splitting out wide.

Why it matters: Bellinger’s floor is solid—as long as he doesn’t get outshined in drills or drop a key pass. But in today’s “tight end factory” NFL, every missed block or muffed special-teams drill could cost him dearly.

🔥 2. Evan Neal – From Tackle Whiz to Guard Gambit

Drafted 7th overall in 2022, Evan Neal arrived with All-Pro expectations. Three years later, the clock is ticking:

• Position Switch: The Giants declined his fifth-year option back in May. Now, he’s moving inside to guard, hoping to resurrect his stock.

• Cap Drag: Neal carries a $7.8 million cap hit in 2025. Unless another team trades for him (unlikely), the Giants are stuck absorbing that salary—even if they cut him.

• Last-Chance Scenario: Summer camp is his make-or-break moment. If he flashes quick feet and solid technique at guard, he might earn a spot. If not? Expect a surprising cut.

Key pointer: Watch Neal’s one-on-one guard drills—if he settles into angles and shows power at the point of attack, he’ll stick. If he looks lost, the Giants can pivot to backup plans without guilt over sunk salary.

🔥 3. Dyontae Johnson – Special-Teams Spark or Practice-Squad Road?

A fan favorite and coaches’ pet, Dyontae Johnson brings hustle, smarts and lockdown coverage ability. But depth at linebacker is fierce, and:

• Blocked Behind: Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden are locks. Waiting in the wings are Darius Muasau, Ty Summers, plus free-agent signings Chris Board and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.

• Special Teams Showdown: Johnson lives and dies by his special-teams snaps. The more tackles and blocks he racks up on kickoff coverage, the stronger his case to stick.

• Practice Squad Safety Net: Even if he misses the 53-man squad, the Giants love him enough that a return to the practice squad is almost a foregone conclusion. Still, who wants to admit “almost”?

Exciting element: Keep an eye on Johnson’s hustle plays during 7-on-7—he’s known for diving picks and game-changing breakups. Those highlight-reel moments could tip the scales.

🔥 4. Tommy DeVito – QB4 or Last Man Standing?

Being the fourth quarterback in the NFL means you’re basically running on fumes—unless something wild happens. Tommy DeVito faces an uphill climb behind:

1. Russell Wilson – Future Hall of Famer, starter.

2. Jameis Winston – Veteran with cannon arm.

3. Jaxson Dart – Highly touted rookie with a rocket and mobility.

Yet DeVito has one edge: he’s the only QB on the roster who’s actually run this offense.

• Camp Clues: Look for his command in the huddle, pre-snap adjustments and ball placement on deep outs. If he looks sharp, the Giants might stash him on the practice squad.

• The Unexpected Wild Card: Injuries happen. If Wilson or Winston misses time, DeVito could be the emergency starter.

Pointer: Watch his two-minute-drill reps—if he can rally the offense with poise under the clock, that scrappy intangibles label could be just enough to keep him around.

🔥 5. Eric Gray – Running Back Shuffle

Once the college game-breaker at Oklahoma and Tennessee, Eric Gray now finds himself buried on the Giants’ backfield depth chart:

• Depth Chart Drama: The emergence of Tyrone Tracy Jr. and the steady veteran presence of Devon Singletary both push Gray down.

• New Blood Alert: Rookie Cam Skattebo is here to compete for third-down snaps. His change-of-direction and pass-blocking are under the microscope.

• Special Teams or Bust: Gray must earn his keep covering kicks or returning punts. Giants special-teams coach Joe DeCamillis hasn’t seen enough from Gray to give him a pass.

Exciting element: If Gray breaks off a long run in camp scrimmages or shows blitz pick-up prowess, he could claw his way back into the mix. Otherwise, it’s practice squad or free-agent radar for him.

🔥 Quick-Hit Takeaways

• Every Rep Counts: With so much competition, a single dropped pass, missed block or blown assignment could seal a player’s fate.

• Special Teams = Lifeline: In this cutthroat environment, versatility on kickoff and punt units is the golden ticket to sticking around.

• Unwritten Stories: Don’t sleep on under-the-radar performances. Late bloomer Thomas Fidone or any scrappy linebacker could emerge as the next camp darling.

Why This Camp Feels Different

1. Shallow Position Pools: Giants are thin at guard, tweak-heavy on tight ends, and have a crowded linebacker room. There’s just not enough spots to go around.

2. Financial Stakes: Cap hits on guys like Evan Neal make every roster decision a high-wire act for the front office. Cutting talent vs. saving money is a constant tug-of-war.

3. Rookie vs. Veteran Showdowns: The blend of high-upside draft picks and hungry vets creates a pressure cooker—no one’s guaranteed a spot based on past reputation.

🏆 Camp Storylines to Watch

• Guard Uproar: Will Evan Neal find redemption at guard, or will the Giants look outside for pass-protection saviors?

• Tight End Tussle: Can Daniel Bellinger fend off the rookie wave, or will Fidone/Johnson claim the second TE role?

• QB Depth Drama: Tommy DeVito’s camp is a masterclass in “stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”

• RB Round Robin: Eric Gray vs. Cam Skattebo vs. the special-teams standouts—a classic NFL backfield battle.

• Linebacker Chess Match: Dyontae Johnson must out-hustle and out-hit a bevy of contenders to remain in the defensive fold.

Final Thoughts

When the camp doors swing open on Tuesday, expect fireworks from Day One. Big Blue’s roster bubble is flat-out boiling— these five players, plus any surprise breakouts, will be the nameplates you hear on cutdown day.

Strap in, Giants fans, because this summer’s training camp isn’t just practice—it’s an epic survival test. May the best men win.