Power Ranking Every New York Giant Under Contract Prior to Training Camp

How do a speedy wideout and a physical linebacker stack up? In a sport based on intricate relationships between two-dozen positions, how do we identify the best players on each team? Is Victor Cruz better than Jason-Pierre Paul?

It's a deep, if not fun concept that's worth exploring. As the New York Giants head to training camp, plenty of names stand out on the crammed preseason roster. Let's toast to figuring out, somehow, who the best Giants are, factoring in upside, recent success and value to the team.

No. 90-81

90. Chase Clement

89. Kevin Hardy

88. Alonzo Tweedy

87. Junior Mertile

86. Michael Cox

85. Cooper Taylor

84. Brandon Collins

83. Jamie Childers

82. Keith Carlos

81. Etienne Sabino

Not much to say here. Mostly undrafted free agent rookies who have an uphill battle to make this roster.

Nos. 80-71

80. Eric Herman

79. Jake Muasau

78. Bryant Browning

77. Jeremy Horne

76. Laron Scott

75. Chris DeGeare

74. Larry Donnell

73. Frank Okam

72. Kris Adams

71. Michael Jasper

Nobody pops out here either. Okam had a handful of tackles with the Texans a few years back, while DeGeare started five games for the Vikings before bouncing around the Titans' preseason roster last summer.

Nos. 70-61

70. Charles James

69. Brandon Mosley

68. Curtis Painter

67. Kyle Bosworth

66. Terrence Frederick

65. Stephen Goodin

64. Trumaine McBride

63. Selvish Capers

62. David Buehler 

61. David Caldwell

Buehler was the starting kicker for the Cowboys in 2010, but ranked 30th in field goal accuracy and hasn't been much of a factor since. Caldwell started 13 games at strong safety for the Colts in '11, and McBride was a spot start for the Bears during an injury-ridden 2007. 

Nos. 60-51

60. Matt McCants

59. Markus Kuhn

58. Da'Rel Scott

57. Jim Cordle

56. Justin Trattou

55. Marvin Austin

54. James Brewer

53. Adrian Tracy

52. Mike Patterson

51. Matt Broha

Kuhn found his way onto the Big Blue D-line before an ACL injury in Cincinnati knocked him out for the year. Austin's maddening health issues and character questions keep him from ever hitting the field, while Tracy and Broha enjoyed big preseasons last summer. Patterson was a starter for the Eagles as late as 2011, and should see some rotations this year.

Nos. 50-41

50. Shaun Rogers

49. Adewale Ojomo

48. Ryan Torain

47. Will Hill

46. Jerrel Jernigan

45. Damontre Moore

44. Adrien Robinson

43. Aaron Curry

42. David Carr

41. Ryan Mundy

There are some recognizable faces on this slide. Rogers was a Pro Bowler what seems like decades ago, while Ojomo was quick off the line of scrimmage last preseason. Jernigan may see his window closing with Randle and Wilson excelling on returns, while Moore touts first-round talent that will undoubtedly be employed in Perry Fewell's system. Carr remains one of the league's best backups, but Giants fans shudder at the thought of actually seeing him in a game. 

Nos. 40-31

40. Louis Murphy

39. Ramses Barden

38. Ryan Nassib

37. Tyler Sash

36. Zak DeOssie

35. Mark Herzlich

34. Jayron Hosley

33. Spencer Paysinger

32. Aaron Ross

31. David Diehl

Now we're in familiar territory. Murphy should make an impact as a speedy slot wideout, while Barden's monster game in Carolina last year keeps his ranking high. Nassib was considered a first-round quarterback as late as draft day, and DeOssie's been to the Pro Bowl twice as a long snapper. Hosley and Ross will duke it out for third corner responsibilities. Diehl's been on a precipitous fall since the 2012 Super Bowl. 

No. 30-21

30. Terrell Thomas

29. Jonathan Hankins

28. Bear Pascoe

27. Justin Pugh

26. Keith Rivers

25. Jacquian Williams

24. Rueben Randle

23. Josh Brown

22. Corey Webster

21. David Baas

Thomas could be as high as single-digits and as low as the 80s, it's all contingent on how he holds up this summer. If there's anything left in the once-gritty defensive back, the Giants will have a steal on their hands. Hankins has mammoth upside to go along with his mammoth frame, as does Pugh, who could be a starting tackle in his rookie year. Rivers and Williams stumble into starting linebacker spots, while Brown enjoys a career-long field goal of 58 yards and was effective for the Bengals last year. Webster's 2012 was a stinker, but the veteran has a very respectable career in New York and will be called upon once again in 2013. No, last season doesn't warrant a high ranking, but the Giants need Webster badly this fall.

Nos. 20-11

20. Cullen Jenkins

19. Dan Connor

18. Andre Brown

17. Mathias Kiwanuka

16. Prince Amukamara

15. Brandon Myers

14. Stevie Brown

13. Antrel Rolle

12. Henry Hynoski

11. Steve Weatherford

This is an interesting group. Jenkins and Connor are free agent signings that both figure to start this season. Brown's ranking will skyrocket if he reprises his first half of 2012. Amukamara has a chance to be the clear-cut No. 1 corner, and Myers has a chance to become a national name if he snags passes from Eli Manning the way he did in Oakland. Stevie Brown's eight interceptions were good for second in the NFL last season, but the surprising success story needs another season to prove he's the real deal. Hynoski and Weatherford are two of the best in the business at their respective positions. 

No. 10: Justin Tuck

Yeah, he had a down year; and yeah, there have been mumblings of replacing him soon; but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves: Justin Tuck is New York's defensive captain and still has some gas in the tank.

Despite only nine sacks in the past two inconsistent years, Tuck remains so high because of his past dominance and the fact that the nine-year veteran could have a big 2013. He's physical in run defense and gives this unit experience and grit.

No. 9: Kevin Boothe

The Giants' offensive line tallied a league-best 2.36 win probability last year, and much of that credit goes to guard Kevin Boothe. Once a liability up front, Boothe paved the middle all season long, and shocked just about everyone with a stellar '12.

Needless to say, the Giants prioritized resigning him. Boothe excels in run-blocking and has been around for both Super Bowl seasons. He's certainly not the flashiest player on the roster, and his penchant for penalties gives him a bad rep with fans at times.

Still, Boothe's a key reason for New York's revitalized running game. Boothe's started 26 straight games, hasn't been injured since 2010 and was one of the most sought-after linemen on the market this fall. The G-Men need him desperately.

No. 8: Linval Joseph

This is another weird one. Like Boothe, Joseph is an unsung hero of the Giants; he excelled in a down year for the team's front seven. Hailed as a "secret superstar," he'll be heavily relied upon this fall.

Joseph's win probability last year topped that of Nick Fairley, Darnell Dockett and Kyle Williams. With four sacks in just his second full season, his stock is certainly on the rise. For Big Blue to return to physical, defensive football, it'll need Joseph to keep producing. 

No. 7: David Wilson

He could shoot right up the rankings. The Giants have themselves a gem in Wilson, who's explosiveness and agility make for big-play potential at both running back and kick returner. Averaging five yards a carry in his rookie effort and coming on strong at the end of the season, Wilson takes the reins from Ahmad Bradshaw and looks poised for a huge 2013.

The Giants will rely on Wilson to continue the progress the team made on the ground last season. Much of Eli Manning's game is reliant on play action and opening up the field, and Wilson will get plenty of handoffs.

The sky's the limit for this kid—let's see how things look in his second year.

No. 6: Will Beatty

Pro Football Focus ranked him as the No. 2 left tackle in the NFC last year, behind only Pro Bowler Joe Staley. A top-five left tackle with plenty of time to improve, Beatty's resigning was the jewel of New York's offseason.

Beatty's impressive in both run and pass blocking, and was perhaps the best linemen on a dominant line last season. The Giants will need him even more this season, blocking Eli Manning's blind side while opening the edge for David Wilson.  

No. 5: Chris Snee

A decorated veteran who has been loyal to the program, Snee gets his props here. The four-time Pro Bowler remains one of the best guards in the NFL, and will be called upon again in 2013 to pick up the pace in the running game.

Snee's had few hiccups in his revered career with the G-Men. He's certainly getting up there in age, but with three All-Pro honors and two Super Bowl rings, Snee stays near the top.

No. 4: Victor Cruz

Two star-studded years means a spot in the top five for Cruz, who just signed his free agent tender to stay in New York. While the jury's still out on a long-term deal, Cruz's big-play potential and vertical receiving abilities are hard to dispute.

Cruz emerged as Eli Manning's top target with Hakeem Nicks down last season. Back-to-back seasons with 80+ receptions, four-digit yardage totals and at least nine receiving touchdowns makes him a sizzling standout in the NFL. Another year will likely bring him even higher.

No. 3: Hakeem Nicks

Nicks just edges Cruz due to more experience, more trust from Eli Manning and more consistent output as a possession receiver. Both wideouts are among the league's best, and Nicks is poised for a bounce-back 2013 after hobbling to just 13 games last season.

Both Nicks and Cruz will command huge contracts next offseason, but for now, let's enjoy this dynamic tandem. Few other quarterbacks have it as good as Eli Manning.

No. 2: Jason Pierre-Paul

J.P.P. changes the game when he's playing his best. Despite last year's disappointment, Pierre-Paul ranks so high simply because he alters the entire dynamic of the Giants' defense. With almost 24 sacks over the past two years, Pierre-Paul will anchor this D once again in his fourth season.

Despite the down year for Nicks, the Giants' offense still excelled. But without Pierre-Paul performing at his best level, the G-Men sunk to 30th in total defense. He's the difference-maker this season.

No. 1: Eli Manning

No question. Two-time Super Bowl MVP, emerging statistical leader and praised team captain, Eli Manning is the focal point of everything the Giants have done over the past half-decade. After tossing five touchdowns against the Eagles in week 17, Manning will need to be razor-sharp from the get-go this fall.