Just before the team opens up their preseason slate on Friday night in Miami against the Dolphins, the New York Giants have released their first unofficial depth chart of 2016.
New additions headline revamped defense
As expected the Giants newest defensive additions have been marked as starters heading into the preseason. CB Janoris Jenkins, DE Olivier Vernon and DT Damon Harrison will be starters heading into the season and are expected to produce at a high level after the massive contracts they all signed back in March. Jenkins will be playing opposite of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie while the Giants defensive line will feature Vernon, Harrison, Jonathan Hankins, and Jason Pierre-Paul.
For the linebacker spots Jasper Brinkley returns to the top spot at middle linebacker with Devon Kennard is on the strongside and Jonathan Casillas mans the weak side. New Giant Keenan Robinson was not listed as a starter but that could easily change with a strong preseason performance.
Rookies make their mark
The 2016 draft class looks to have already made an impact on the roster. Wide receiver Sterling Shepard, the team's 2nd-round pick and safety Darian Thompson, the team's 3rd-round pick were both listed as starters while CB Eli Apple, the No. 10 overall pick in the draft, is listed as the third corner behind Jenkins and Rodgers-Cromartie. Shepard has looked like a stud making play after play in training camp and was placed ahead of the injury plagued Victor Cruz. On defense Thompson looks to have done enough to lock up the open safety position next to Landon Collins. This spot was undecided for a long time before Thompson came to the team.
While this is the depth chart heading into the preseason it is likely to change multiple times before the Giants open the season on September 11th in Dallas.