Projecting Starters for the 2012 New York Giants Roster

With New York Giants training camp beginning four weeks from tomorrow at the University of Albany, let's begin to look ahead to potential positional battles by forecasting the Week 1 starters, along with key backups (in brackets).

Quarterback: Eli Manning (David Carr)

Same arrangement as last year. And if Giants fans are lucky, Carr once again takes zero snaps in 2012.

Running Back: Ahmad Bradshaw (David Wilson)

While I believe in Bradshaw, I do think Wilson will be considered the No. 1 back at this point a year from now. He'll get plenty of reps all season long, especially if Bradshaw runs into injury trouble again. They have five capable backs, but it's doubtful DJ Ware, Da'Rel Scott or Andre Brown see much of the field this season.

Fullback: Henry Hynoski

He should only get better in his second full season (and first to be preceded by an actual offseason).

Wide Receiver: Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks (Ramses Barden, Domenik Hixon, Rueben Randle, Jerrel Jernigan)

This is another position that could change a lot throughout the year. Can Nicks and Hixon stay healthy? And what should we expect from the unproven guys like Barden and Randle? The way I see it, these are the six receivers they'll go with, but the order might be shaken up often.

I'm giving Barden and Hixon the early edge because they're completely comfortable and familiar with the system, but Randle's reps should increase throughout the year.

Tight end: Bear Pascoe (Martellus Bennett, Adrien Robinson)

This should be a fairly fluid spot. Jake Ballard is gone, and Travis Beckum will likely start the year on the PUP list. They have high hopes for the rookie Robinson, but he's more of a long-term project. It'll come down to Pascoe and Bennett. 

Less than two weeks ago, I had Bennett penciled in as the starter and Pascoe as a versatile backup who could line up in more spots, but I've already changed my tune, as I think more about what the two players bring to the table. I'm starting to believe that Tom Coughlin might prefer to begin the season with Pascoe, who he's more familiar with, getting the majority of the tight end reps.

Offensive Tackle: Will Beatty, David Diehl (James Brewer, Matt McCants)

They might keep Sean Locklear merely to have a veteran presence in case Beatty gets hurt again or Diehl continues to decline. I personally think it would be great to see Brewer get a crack at it this summer after he failed to play as a rookie, but I know the Giants aren't going to replace either tackle that quickly.

McCants could prove to be a nice find late in the draft, but don't expect him to contribute much in 2012.

Guard: Chris Snee, Mitch Petrus (Kevin Boothe, Brandon Mosley)

Niether Petrus nor Boothe were very good last year, but at least the 25-year-old Petrus has a higher ceiling. With Snee locked in on the right side, that could turn into an intriguing camp battle for the starting left guard spot. 

Mosley finds himself in the same situation McCant is in, but both should make the final 53.

Center: David Baas (Kevin Boothe)

Baas is being paid too handsomely to sit out of the gate, but if the 31-year-old struggles as badly as he did for much of 2011 (or gets hurt again), Boothe would likely slide back over, moving Petrus back into the starting lineup. 

Defensive End: Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck (Osi Umenyiora, Justin Trattou)

Really, we're looking at three starters in a healthy rotation, but watch for Trattou to be the man to step up if Umenyiora or Tuck (or even JPP) have to miss any time. Last year, Dave Tollefson got 512 snaps in, according to Pro Football Focus. Trattou only got 16 snaps in as a rookie last year, but that total should shoot up into the triple digits in what could be a breakout sophomore season.

Defensive Tackle: Linval Joseph, Chris Canty (Marvin Austin, Shaun Rogers)

I plan on writing more about these two next week, because they really are unsung heroes on this team. Canty isn't super-consistent, but he's stellar against the run, while Joseph gives the pass-rush enough of a push from the inside that they don't really have to force the issue with "four aces" looks.

I get the feeling they'd rather just get Rogers, but he's there as insurance (and arguably an improvement over Rocky Bernard) in case Austin—a 2011 second-round pick who missed his entire rookie season due to injury—doesn't emerge. 

Outside Linebacker: Keith Rivers, Mathias Kiwanuka (Jacquian Williams)

The key is to get your top three players on the field early and often, and I think Rivers is a better player than Chase Blackburn. If he can prove that in camp, he'll bump Michael Boley to the middle, which might be better for Boley anyway. 

Expect Williams, who is a tackle machine, to continue to be the go-to backup on the outside while Blackburn fights with Mark Herzlich for the backup job inside.

Inside Linebacker: Michael Boley (Mark Herzlich)

My biggest surprise is that I'm predicting Blackburn doesn't make the final roster. He came up big last year, but I think they'd prefer Herzlich long term and Greg Jones and Spencer Paysinger are keepers for their upside and special-teams contributions. 

They just might not have room for guys like Blackburn, Clint Sintim and Jake Muasau.

Cornerback: Corey Webster, Terrell Thomas (Justin Tryon, Prince Amukamara, Jayron Hosley)

That third corner early on could either be Tryon, Michael Coe or Antwaun Molden. I just don't think they'll trust Amukamara or Hosley right off the bat. I'd imagine they'll keep either Coe or Molden within reaching distance until they're sure Thomas' knee will hold up, but I'm giving the edge to Tryon based on his stellar offseason.

Oh, they also have Brandon Bing and Dante Hughes. Talk about quantity over quality. I'm not even going to pretend I know what's going to happen here. 

Safety: Kenny Phillips, Antrel Rolle (Tyler Sash)

I suppose they think Sash can replace veteran backup Deon Grant. Phillips and Rolle play so many snaps that depth isn't as crucial here, but I'd expect them to keep Chris Horton around and Grant on speed-dial. 

Kicker: Lawrence Tynes

It appears Coughlin is content with the veteran Tynes, even though he's not exactly coming off a stellar season and his percentage has dropped three years in a row. 

Punter: Steve Weatherford

The Super Bowl hero signed a five-year contract extension in March.