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Indianapolis Star
a minute ago
- Indianapolis Star
NBA power rankings: Eastern Conference reset after injuries, free agency. Where do Pacers stand?
INDIANAPOLIS – Kevin Pritchard took a defiant tone earlier this month when he met with the media to discuss the season, the draft and the first week of free agency. The Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations noted despite their NBA Finals run, he expects the Pacers to be considered an afterthought in 2025-26 thanks to All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles tendon tear — which will cost him all season — and the loss of stalwart center Myles Turner to the Bucks in free agency. But he said he believes so deeply in the coaching staff and the ethos of the team that they can overcome the challenges of being without two starters from one of the most successful teams in franchise history. "We like what we have and I think we've done the best when we've had a chip on our shoulder," Pritchard said. "When everybody counts us out in a series or a season. And I'm not so sure you should count us out now." In the next breath, however, he noted a big reason not to count the Pacers out is the tumult that has hit the rest of the Eastern Conference. Haliburton, of course, was one of three All-NBA players who suffered Achilles tendon tears during the playoffs that will likely keep them out for all of 2025-26. Eerily, all three of them wear the number 0. Bucks guard Damian Lillard tore his Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Milwaukee's first-round playoff series against the Pacers. Milwaukee waived him and stretched the buyout of his contract — which is how the Bucks got under the salary cap to be able to sign Turner — but that meant moving on from a player acquired before the 2023-24 season with the belief he could help Giannis Antetokounmpo win another NBA title. Boston's Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles tendon in the Eastern Conference semifinals in the Celtics' loss to the Knicks. Boston won't be moving on from the five-time All-NBA pick and four-time first-teamer, but he's on a supermax contract that will pay him over $54 million — 35% of the salary cap — which is a big part of the reason they entered free agency over the punitive second luxury tax apron. To get out from underneath the burden of that, they moved on from several key pieces of their 2023-24 championship team. "When you look at the East the way it's broken down," Pritchard said, "there's been some major injuries and there's been some transformational teams making big changes." That ultimately means both conferences look wide open in 2025-26. The West, however, looks wide open because it's loaded with several teams having bolstered their rosters to try to unseat the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The East is wide open because it's not entirely clear which teams will be able to successfully reconfigure themselves to make up for their roster changes. What follows is an attempt to make sense of where things stand in the East after the early stages of free agency and the NBA Summer League. It's a power ranking, but it's also a reset, and there's certainly more that can change with plenty of moves still possible throughout the summer. And because of how wide open things are, there aren't many teams you should count out. Additions: G Lonzo Ball (trade), F Larry Nance Jr. (FA), G Tyrese Proctor (draft), F Saliou Niang (draft) Departures: G Ty Jerome (FA), F Isaac Okoro (trade) Outlook: The Cavs' postseason disappointment was the most stinging of any team in the East. They posted a 64-18 regular-season record — the best in the East and the second best in franchise history — only to see their season end in the Eastern Conference semifinals for the second straight season with a loss to the Pacers in just five games. The series included a late-game collapse in Game 2 that ended in a Tyrese Haliburton 3-pointer and losses in all three games played in Cleveland. The tumult in the rest of the East gives them a chance to redeem themselves, but it also adds to the pressure the Cavs will feel in 2025-26. The team they spent all season expecting to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals (Boston) and the team that ended their season (Indiana) will each enter the season without the face of their respective franchise. That means the door will be open for Cleveland but anything outside of an NBA Finals trip will be considered another disappointment. They do have all the pieces they should need, however. In Donovan Mitchell, they have a first-team All-NBA pick and arguably the top guard in the East. In Evan Mobley they have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and a 6-11 24-year-old who is only starting the get a sense of the breadth of his offensive talent. Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen give them two more All-Stars. They lost a Sixth Man of the Year candidate in Ty Jerome, but Lonzo Ball could be an even better fit as a backup point guard if he stays healthy. Max Strus, De'Andre Hunter, Sam Merrill, Dean Wade and Jaylon Tyson give them options at the wing spots. They will likely start the year as favorites, but will be under a bright spotlight. Additions: F Guerschon Yabusele (FA), G Jordan Clarkson (FA), F Mohamed Diawara (draft) Departures: F P.J. Tucker (FA) Outlook: The biggest move the Knicks made in the offseason was moving on from coach Tom Thibodeau despite leading New York to its first Eastern Conference Finals berth in 25 years. After trying to pry numerous coaches away from their current teams and being denied the opportunity to speak to them, they settled on Mike Brown, most recently the coach of the Kings. Brown has experience dealing with top-level talent. He won a championship with the Spurs as an assistant under Gregg Popovich and three with the Warriors under Steve Kerr. In between, he helped LeBron James get to his first NBA Finals with the Cavs. In 11 seasons as a head coach, he's been to the playoffs seven times and helped the Kings get back there in 2022-23 for the first time in 17 years. Brown might be able to help the Knicks take the next step after they lost to the Pacers in the playoffs each of the past two seasons. Thibodeau created an exacting standard in New York, but the Knicks were doomed against the Pacers in part because he leaned more heavily on his starting five than any other coach in the NBA and the Pacers countered by going deep into their bench. Brown will still have access to the same top-line talent with Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart all back, but the additions of Clarkson and Yabusele could allow the Knicks to give their top five more of a breather and let their subs carry a little more of the weight, which could pay off in the long run. Additions: G Desmond Bane (trade), G Tyus Jones (FA), G Jase Richardson (draft), F Noah Penda (draft) Departures: G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (trade), G Cole Anthony (trade), Gary Harris (FA), Corey Joseph (FA), Caleb Houstan (FA) Outlook: The Magic won 22 of their first 38 games despite injuries to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner but won just 19 of their last 44 to finish seventh in the East. Injuries to Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner helped keep them down but so did their offense. The Magic finished second in the NBA in defensive rating but 27th in offensive rating, 28th in scoring, 27th in field goal percentage and 30th in 3-point field goal percentage. They desperately needed perimeter scoring and outside shooting in particular so they got it in Richmond, Indiana's Desmond Bane, who has averaged 20.2 points per game with Memphis over the past four seasons and has made 41% of his career 3-pointers at relatively high volume. He's averaging 2.6 3-pointers per game for his career and has made at least 117 in each of his five seasons. A starting five that includes Suggs, Bane, Franz Wagner and Banchero should give the Magic enough firepower to make a leap and they don't lose much from one of the NBA's best defenses. They were a 5 seed in 2023-24 before losing to the Cavs in a seven-game first-round series and they might be a real contender to win the East now. Additions: SG Caris LeVert (FA), SF Duncan Robinson (trade), SG Chaz Lanier (draft) Departures: Tim Hardaway Jr. (FA), Simone Fontecchio (trade), Dennis Schroeder (FA), Malik Beasley (investigation) Outlook: No team in the NBA made a bigger leap in 2024-25 than the Pistons, who saw years of top draft picks finally grow into a cohesive unit under J.B. Bickerstaff, who went to Detroit after being fired in Cleveland. With an edge befitting the franchise that produced the Bad Boys of the late 80s, the Pistons followed a 14-68 season in 2023-24 with a 44-38 season and their first trip to the playoffs in six years. They lost to the Knicks in six games, but it was arguably the most thrilling series in the first round. The playoff experience should do wonders for the Pistons' young core of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson and Jaden Ivey, though Ivey broke his leg on Jan. 1 and missed the rest of the season. The Pistons lost some of the veteran pieces they added to take a leap but added others with Duncan Robinson giving them a sharpshooter and Caris LeVert giving them an off-the-bench scoring guard. If some of the other powers fall, they should have a chance to make another move up. Additions: C Myles Turner (FA), G Gary Harris (FA), G Cole Anthony (FA), F Bogoljub Markovic (draft), G Mark Sears (FA) Departures: G Damian Lillard (waived), G Pat Connaughton (trade), C Brook Lopez (FA) Outlook: The Bucks still have the best player in the Eastern Conference and one of the top three in the world in Giannis Antetokounmpo and they made the most surprising, splashy free agent signing by bringing in Myles Turner. However, so many of the issues with the roster remain unsolved. As bold as it was to waive and stretch Lillard to steal Turner from under the Pacers' noses after Lillard tore his Achilles tendon during the Bucks' playoff loss to the Pacers, that's still a seven-time All-NBA guard who they lost and haven't replaced. In Turner they get a very similar player to Brook Lopez only seven years younger and his 3-point shooting and shot blocking should make him a great complement to Antetokounmpo. However, that only does so much to make up for the production they lose with Lillard. At the moment, their point guard options include Cole Anthony, Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins and they don't have a star at shooting guard or small forward either. Acquiring Kyle Kuzma for Khris Middleton at the deadline ended up being a downgrade. They still have sharpshooters Gary Trent Jr. and A.J. Green and long-armed defender Taurean Prince, but they don't have anyone approximating a lead guard. Antetokounmpo can obviously bring up the floor and the Bucks have to be considered a contender as long as he's on the roster. The Greek Freak may still be the most physically dominant, unstoppable force in the NBA. But making a title push could require more in the backcourt. Additions: C Kristaps Porzings (trade), G Nickeil Alexander-Walker (trade), G Luke Kennard (FA), F Nikola Djurisic (FA), F Asa Newell (draft), G Keaton Wallace (FA), F Jacob Toppin (FA) Departures: C Clint Capela (FA), G Caris LeVert (FA), G Terrance Mann (trade), F Georges Niang (trade), F Larry Nance Jr. (FA), G Garrison Matthews (FA) Outlook: The Hawks had one of the most active offseasons in the East and possibly one of the best. Porzingis gives them a veteran upgrade at the 5, and though he's obviously struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons, he's an inside-outside force when he is. Alexander-Walker gives them another excellent two-way wing to go with Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson, who returns after a torn labrum in his left shoulder derailed what could have been an All-NBA season. Kennard is one of the league's most reliable sharpshooters, making 43.8% of his career 3s and 903 in his eight-year career. Onyeka Okongwu gives them another long athletic frontcourt presence and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher made some big leaps in Year 1. Trae Young still gives them one of the East's most prolific point guards. This prediction is a conservative one for the Hawks as they could make a sizable leap if all of their young players develop quickly. Additions: C Jay Huff (trade), C James Wiseman (FA), G Kam Jones (draft), G Taelon Peter (draft) Departures: C Myles Turner (FA), C Thomas Bryant (FA) Outlook: Since Haliburton's injury and Turner's departure, the Pacers have defiantly declared through numerous channels they shouldn't be counted out. That's more than fair considering how fast they rose from being a lottery team in 2021-22 and 2022-23 to the NBA Finals in 2024-25. A collection of players that was in same way, shape or form passed over or disregarded stunned the basketball world to make their first Finals in 25 years and they might have claimed a title if their best player wasn't injured in the first quarter of Game 7. They will still have three starters — guard Andrew Nembhard and forwards Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam — from that team as well as most of the key bench pieces and the coaching staff led by Rick Carlisle that put it all together. There's more than enough talent and determination for them to be competitive. Still, as wide open as the East is, it's still strong enough that it will be extremely difficult for the Pacers to hold their position. Nembhard will have to run the offense and guard the best players in the world. Siakam will get much more defensive attention with Haliburton injured and Turner gone. The constant pace and ball movement orchestrated by Haliburton will be tough to replicate without him. The addition of Jay Huff and the returns of Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman could allow the Pacers to make up for a lot of what they lost in Turner in terms of production, but not what he brought as a standard-bearer. The Pacers should be able to hold down the fort well enough to get back to the playoffs and return to title contention when Haliburton returns in 2026-27. But they certainly won't be East favorites as they would have been if Haliburton was healthy. Additions: G Anfernee Simons (trade), F Georges Niang (trade), C Luka Garza (FA), F Josh Minott (FA) F Hugo Gonzalez (draft), C Amari Williams (draft), G Max Shulga (draft) Departures: G Jrue Holiday (trade), C Kristaps Porzingis (trade), C Luke Kornet (FA), C Al Horford (FA), F Torrey Craig (FA) Outlook: The Celtics might be the only better example than the Pacers of how fast life can come at you in the NBA under the new collective bargaining agreement. A year ago they were celebrating their record 18th NBA championship. For most of this season, they were among the favorites to win another. However, they took a surprising loss to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals and during that series, lost Tatum for the following year, and found it impossible to justify staying above the second apron to keep together the group that won the title. They moved on from Porzingis and Holiday, who were slated to make a combined $62 million this season and let centers Luke Kornet and Al Horford walk. They did, however, add a promising young scorer in Simons who they could still move for another asset or keep and in Niang they add another talented outside shooter on the bench. They still have an All-NBA wing and the 2024 NBA Finals MVP in Jaylen Brown, a top-line two-way point guard in Derrick White and a boatload of shooters including Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser. They aren't the juggernaut they were the past two seasons and they'll have to hold on for dear life without Tatum for a year, but they still have enough pieces to be a playoff team. Additions: G Norman Powell (trade), F Simone Fontecchio (trade), G Kasparas Jakucionis (draft), C Vladislav Goldin (FA) Departures: F Duncan Robinson (trade), F Kevin Love (trade), G Kyle Anderson (trade) Outlook: Jimmy Butler's displeasure in 2024-25 forced the Heat to trade him to the Warriors and generally change course, but Tyler Herro took the opportunity to make a leap and the Heat traded for Norman Powell to give the Heat another high-scoring guard to pair him with. They're keeping Andrew Wiggins around at this point for more perimeter help and they signed Davion Mitchell two a two-year deal worth $24 million. There's enough perimeter talent for the Heat to pair with anchor Bam Adebayo to at least be contenders for a playoff spot even if they might have to go through the play-in round to get there. Additions: F Isaac Okoro (trade), C Lachlan Olbrich (trade), F Noa Essengue (draft), Yuki Kawamura (FA) Departures: G Lonzo Ball (trade) Outlook: The Bulls have seemed for several years to be stuck between trying to contend and embracing a rebuild and they still seem stuck in the middle. They are still negotiating with restricted free agent Josh Giddey and there still seems to be a possibility they could move Nikola Vucevic. There is promise on the roster and the Bulls' 15-5 finish to the regular season provides some hope, but it's not yet clear entirely which young players will be part of their push moving forward. Point guard Coby White seems to have established himself as the lead guard but beyond that, much seems to be up for competition. Additions: F Trendon Watford (FA), G V.J. Edgecombe (draft), F Johni Broome (draft), G Hunter Sallis (FA), F Jabari Walker (FA), F Dominick Barlow (FA) Departures: G Jared Butler (FA), F Guerschon Yabusele (FA), Lonnie Walker IV (FA) Outlook: The 76ers hoped putting together a new Big 3 would make them title contenders as they added Paul George to the mix with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. However Embiid played just 19 games, George played just 41 and Maxey played 52 and they played very few games as a trio. There were injuries beyond those three and the Sixers finished 24-58. The Sixers are hoping 2025-26 turns out better, but George has already had arthroscopic knee surgery this offseason and Embiid has been dealing with continual injuries for years. The Sixers struggles helped them add talent in Edgecombe, the No. 3 overall pick, but Embiid, George and Maxey are due about $145 million combined. As long as those three are on the books, the Sixers won't be able to add much else so they need those guys on the floor to dig out of the lottery. Additions: G Collin Sexton (trade), G Spencer Dinwiddie (FA), C Mason Plumlee (FA), G Pat Connaughton (trade), G Kon Knueppel (draft), G Liam McNeely (draft), F Sion James (draft), C Ryan Kalkbrenner (draft) Departures: G Josh Okogie (waived), C Jusuf Nurkic (trade), C Mark Williams (trade), G Seth Curry (FA), C Taj Gibson (FA) Outlook: Of the teams in the East that have spent recent years stuck in the lottery, the Hornets seemed most primed to work their way out. They put together and impressive draft and the players they brought in led the Hornets to an NBA Summer League title with Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeely and and Ryan Kalkbrenner putting together particularly impressive work. The additions of Sexton and Dinwiddie, bring more scorers to the backcourt to pair with the talented but often injured LaMelo Ball. Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges give them two bigger wings who can score. Kalkbrenner and Plumlee as their options at the 5 might not work immediately but they have reason to believe in Kalkbrenner long-term. The Hornets shouldn't be too far removed from at least being a play-in team and they could become one this year. Additions: C Sandro Mamukelashvili (FA), F Collin Murray-Boyles (draft), G Alijah Martin (draft), G Chucky Hepburn (FA) Departures: F Chris Boucher (FA), G Jared Rhoden (waived) Outlook: The Raptors keep leaning into building a team on big wings and if they were all healthy it might actually pay off. They acquired Brandon Ingram at the trade deadline knowing he'd miss the rest of the season, but now they can add him to a group that already includes Scottie Barnes, R.J. Barrett, Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick, and just for good measure they added Collin Murray-Bowles. They invested in keeping Jakob Poeltl at center. However, they're leaning on Immanuel Quickley and Jamal Shead at point guard and that hasn't paid off yet. Still, It's not out the question with length, toughness and better health, the Raptors can turn themselves into a play-in contender again. Additions: G Michael Porter Jr. (trade), F Terance Mann (trade), F Drake Powell (trade), G Egor Demin (draft), G Ben Saraf (draft), F Danny Wolf (draft), G Nolan Traore (draft) Departures: F Cam Johnson (trade), F Maxwell Lewis (waived), G D'Angelo Russell (FA), G De'Anthony Melton (FA). F Trendon Watford (FA) Outlook: The Nets remain deep in a rebuilding project having had to blow everything up when the Kevin Durant-Kyrie Irving-James Harden partnership came to its end. They made some moves and still have more to make to get younger and cheaper. They still have the most cap room available of any team and they had four first-round draft picks, taking Demin, Traore, Saraf and Wolf, a talented collection. They finally moved one of their most sought after trade pieces in Cam Johnson, sending him to a Denver team he fits exceptionally well. For him they acquired a sharpshooter with championship experience in Michael Porter Jr., who will likely be asked to carry the team in scoring, especially if they don't come to an agreement with Cam Thomas with whom they're still negotiating in restricted free agency. The Nets should have some moments when they're dangerous and it should be easier than it has been in recent years to see their long-term plan starting to take effect, but it's probably best for them long-term to spend another year in the lottery. Additions: G C.J. McCollum (trade), F Cam Whitmore (trade), C Kelly Olynyk (trade), G Malakhi Brahnham (trade), F Dillon Jones (trade), G Tre Johnson (draft), F WIll Riley (draft), G Jamir Watkins (draft) Departures: G Jordan Poole (trade), F Saadiq Bey (trade), C Richaun Holmes (waived), G Marcus Smart (waived) Outlook: The Wizards have nine players on the roster who are 22 or under, so obviously their competitive days are still in the distance. With C.J. McCollum, Khris Middleton and Corey Kispert they do have some veterans that can put out a competent product while they wait for the young players to mature. Branham and Whitmore could turn out to be valuable pieces in the long-term rebuild as wings with scoring potential. Their top draft picks in recent years — Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly and Bub Carrington among them — have shown good signs and in Tre Johnson, they add a 6-6 guard who led the SEC in scoring as a freshman at Texas. The Wizards will almost certainly be a lottery team again but they could be more entertaining to watch this year.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Highlights of the Nike Deal, Broadcast Partnerships, Kit Sponsorships, and Stadium Naming Rights
Explore the "Business of the NWSL 2025," a detailed report on the women's soccer league's media and sponsorship landscapes. Discover insights on $39.5M in league sponsorship, $60M in media rights, and $66.46M in team sponsorship. Learn about market viewership, team profiles, and social media metrics. Dublin, July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "The Business of the National Women's Soccer League 2025" report has been added to offering. The main aims of this report is to highlight commercial landscape across NWSL. The report aims to break down the key commercial revenue streams for the league and its affiliated teams. It goes into detail on the key partnerships including its centralized rights with Nike, its four main US broadcasters, front-of-shirt rights, sleeve partnerships and stadium naming "Business of the NWSL 2025" report is part of the the analyst's 'Business of' series of sport competition profiles. The report takes a deep dive into the premier competition for women's domestic soccer in the United States. The report explores the biggest rights across the league, specifically looking at the main media and sponsorship rights attached to the NWSL, as well the main sponsorship rights and annual values of the 14 competing teams. The report also looks at market viewership, profiles individual teams and offers social media following comparisons against teams, other American sports leagues and other soccer NWSL stands to generate $39.5 million from league sponsorship this season. Home market media rights worth $60 million across four main broadcaster deals. Team sponsorship in the league worth $66.46 million in Highlights Overview of the media rights landscape. Global media and sponsor partners explored. Breakdown of the sponsorship deals including annual values. Individual team profiles. Team market comparison by sponsorship. Connected social media followers. Reasons to Buy Soccer is a growing sport in the United States as the country build towards jointly hosting (with Canada and Mexico) the 2026 men's FIFA World Cup . The NWSL, alongside the WNBA (basketball) is the most popular women's sports leagues in the United States and has produced many of the best players in the world over the past decade. Key Topics Covered: 1. Overview2. Media landscape3. League sponsorship landscape4. Kit supplier landscape5. Front-of-shirt landscape6. Sleeve landscape7. Back-of-shirt landscape8. Stadium naming rights landscape9. Team sponsorship overview10. Additional revenue & social media11. AppendixKey Data Tables Home market broadcasters Regional broadcasters International broadcasters NWSL ticket revenue For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Which Giants will make the cut? Here's our 53-man roster projection after Week 1 of camp
EAST RUTHERFORD − The New York Giants are jockeying for position at the many levels of the depth chart and training camp has only begun. Full pads are set to go on Monday morning in the Giants' fifth practice of the summer, and this represents an opportunity for many to drastically change perspective in the battle for jobs [and playing time]. Here is a position-by-position analysis of where the Giants stand with the chase for spots on the 53-man roster just heating up through a week of camp: OFFENSE (26) Quarterback (3) Russell Wilson Jameis Winston Jaxson Dart Breakdown: Nothing has changed here with Wilson the clear QB1. Dart has gotten most of the second-team reps, while Winston has made the most of his with solid play as well as demanding the standard be just as high for players who might be fighting for spots not on the active roster, but the practice squad. His presence as noticeable. Tommy DeVito has had limited chances, but he has looked good with those reps. He's likely still staring at a practice squad offer or heading elsewhere unless there is a significant injury. Running back (3) Tyrone Tracy Devin Singletary Cam Skattebo Breakdown: Tracy is the lead back and looks good. Will be interesting to see him when the run game starts getting work. Skattebo has been fantastic as a receiver, catching every pass thrown his way while working with the second and third teams. Singletary is solid and his reliability in pass protection is a plus. Turbo Miller has had a strong start to camp and will be fighting to force the Giants to keep four backs. His burst jumps out. Can he carve out a role on special teams and lock down a roster spot? Wide receiver (6) Malik Nabers Darius Slayton Wan'Dale Robinson Jalin Hyatt Ihmir Smith-Marsette Beaux Collins Breakdown: Special teams ace Bryce Ford-Wheaton had an inside track to a spot from this position until he tore his Achilles in Sunday's practice. It's a crushing blow for a third-year player who has shown flashes, but has been hit by bad injury luck in each of his three seasons. That potentially opens the door for another receiver. Undrafted rookie Beaux Collins has stood out with chances on the first and second teams with Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston, so he gets the early nod. Dalen Cambre is another UDFA rookie who could have a path to replace Ford-Wheaton because of his special teams prowess in college at Louisiana. Another option: free agent Gabe Davis did visit the team in May and has strong bonds with Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen. Smith-Marsette has done well with his opportunities on offense and he is the kick returner. Tight end (4) Theo Johnson Chris Manhertz Daniel Bellinger Thomas Fidone Breakdown: I kept four tight ends here, but as expected, this could be a position that gives up a spot depending on a numbers' crunch elsewhere. A fifth in Greg Dulcich has had a strong start to camp. Bellinger and Manhertz have been relatively quiet, so it'll be interesting to see the physicality they can bring with the pads going on. Offensive line (10) LT Andrew Thomas LG Jon Runyan Jr. C John Michael Schmitz RG Greg Van Roten RT Jermaine Eluemunor T James Hudson T/G Marcus Mbow G Evan Neal G Jake Kubas G/T Joshua Ezeudu Breakdown: Thomas has started camp on the PUP list and he can be activated at any time, but don't expect the Giants to rush him. He's working with the training staff to make sure he's ready on road back from Lisfranc surgery. Rookie fifth rounder Marcus Mbow has emerged at left and right tackle with the second and third teams, and while James Hudson has been at left tackle with the 1s, if for some reason Thomas' return is slower than anticipated, it's possible Mbow gets even more of a look. John Michael Schmitz had a tough first week and needs to step up when the physicality increases. It's going to be interesting to watch Evan Neal at guard when the pads go on. DEFENSE (24) Defensive line (5) Dexter Lawrence Rakeem Nunez-Roches Roy Robertson-Harris Darius Alexander Elijah Chatman Breakdown: Nunez-Roches is going to get pushed by younger players such as Elijah Garcia, who has had a strong start to camp. Chatman gets the fifth spot for now, but the Giants have depth here and it'll be a roller coaster for all those competing for a spot here. All depends on the combinations, and don't forget Abdul Carter and Chauncey Golston can also play inside in rush packages. Edge (4) Brian Burns Kayvon Thibodeaux Abdul Carter Chauncey Golston Breakdown: Carter has been as advertised - maybe even better so early. Burns is so underrated and such a presence on this team. His production should catch up to that perception. Thibodeaux is off to a strong start as well. Golston rounds out this quartet and he's had his moments, too. Free agent signee Victor Dimukeje was injured while training away from the team, tearing his pectoral and landing on the PUP list to start camp. Inside linebacker (5) Bobby Okereke Micah McFadden Chris Board Darius Muasau Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles Breakdown: Okereke and McFadden are mainstays in the middle. Board and Muasau are core special teams players. Flanningan-Fowles is an addition from our initial projection; he's also a contributor on special teams. Cornerback (6) Paulson Adebo Tae Banks Dru Phillips Cor'Dale Flott Tre Hawkins III Korie Black Breakdown: Banks and Flott are battling for the starting job opposite Adebo, and so far, Flott appears to have the upper hand. It's early, however. Phillips is a potential game-changer at nickel. Nic Jones had a Pick 6 of Jaxson Dart on Day 1 and he's been pushing for bigger chances as Phillips' backup. He could threaten for a role, which could put Hawkins or Black in jeopardy if that continues. Safety (4) Jevon Holland Tyler Nubin Dane Belton K'Von Wallace Breakdown: The top of this position is set with Holland and Nubin. Both have made plays and gives the Giants their best safety tandem since Super Bowl XLVI with Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips. Belton has had a quiet start to camp after such a loud spring as a takeaway machine. Wallace was signed on the eve of camp, so he's working his way up the depth chart. Specialists (3) K Graham Gano P Jamie Gillan LS Casey Kreiter Breakdown: No reason to think anything has changed here. Jude McAtamney is still on track to be a second kicker on the practice squad as part of the International Pathway Program. This article originally appeared on NY Giants roster projection: Our prediction after Week 1 of camp
