The Giants on Sunday discarded six players who were with them throughout the spring and summer and, in some cases, for a season, or multiple seasons. As replacements, the Giants picked up six players who have never before worn their uniform, do not know their offensive and defensive systems and who move immediately to the 53-man roster only one week before the regular-season opener against the Jaguars.
Meaning? Man oh man, the coaching staff and front office were not thrilled with the talent they had to work with throughout training camp and the preseason.
As a fix, the Giants went wild when NFL waivers began. They owned the No. 2 waiver priority, behind only the Browns, based on their 3-13 record last season, and made use of that lofty position by putting in six claims. They were awarded all six players. Only the Browns, with seven claims, were awarded more players on a busy day of transactions.
The new Giants are kick returner Kaelin Clay, defensive end Mario Edwards Jr., defensive backs Antonio Hamilton, Mike Jordan and Kamrin Moore and offensive lineman Spencer Pulley. Of the group, Edwards is the most accomplished as far as pedigree. He came out of Florida State in 2015 and was a second-round pick of the Raiders. Injuries slowed his development. He had 3.5 sacks last season, but the Raiders gave up on him.
By adding three cornerbacks, the Giants showed how displeased they were with the players they sifted through this summer in their secondary. Moore, 21, was a 2018 sixth-round pick of the Saints; Hamilton, 25, was with the Raiders the past two years; and Jordan, 25, spent time with the Rams and Browns, playing in 20 games.
Pulley, 25, started all 16 games at center last season for the Chargers. Clay, 26, is listed as a receiver but is primarily a kick returner. He has played for the Ravens and Panthers and was cut this weekend by the Bills. Clay has averaged 9.4 yards on 47 punt returns and 23.2 yards on 17 kickoff returns.
To make room on the roster, the Giants parted ways with six players. They terminated the contracts of two vested veterans, guard John Jerry (a starter the past four seasons) and cornerback William Gay, who spent the past 10 seasons with the Steelers. Four players with the Giants all summer were waived: quarterback Davis Webb (a 2017 third-round pick), tight end Jerell Adams (a 2016 sixth-round pick), kick returner Hunter Sharp and defensive lineman Josh Banks.
After players cleared waivers, they were free to be signed to practice squads. The Giants signed eight players they recently cut for their 10-man practice squad: LB Avery Moss, RB Jhurell Pressley, WR Alonzo Russell, LB Calvin Munson, CB Grant Haley, WR Jawill Davis, TE Garrett Dickerson and OT Victor Salako.