Five Giants on the Bubble to Watch in Preseason Finale

Time is running out for several New York Giants players who, all summer long, have been on the bubble for one reason or another. 

While most of the roster decisions are likely set, there are a few guys who, in this week's preseason finale against the New York Jets, can try to help themselves with solid performances to either salvage their roster spot, earn a spot on the practice squad, or entice another team to give them a chance.

Let's look at five Giants who are in this boat.

CB Darnay Holmes

A fourth-round draft pick out of UCLA in 2020, cornerback Darnay Holmes is entering the final year of his rookie contract. So far in his career, he’s made a marginal impact, recording two interceptions and 97 tackles as the team's primary nickel back.

But this summer, Holmes, who would produce a $2.7 million savings if he's not on the roster, hasn't wowed anyone in his quest to hold onto a roster spot. The Giants have, for example, experimented somewhat successfully with moving Adoree' Jackson into the slot while also fielding Tre Hawkins and Deonte Banks on the perimeter.

The acquisition of linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who can also play in the slot, gives the Giants another viable option in what's shaping up to be a "committee" approach that will allow the Giants to play matchup football.

If he doesn't make the Giants, Holmes should find a home elsewhere in the league. This summer, he's played 15 slot snaps and has allowed one of three pass targets to be complete for 14 yards and minus 1 yard after the catch for a 49.3 NFL rating. That's not bad production, but with the Giants having other options, the former UCLA corner is likely facing an uphill battle to hang onto his spot.

OLB Oshane Ximines

Ximines, brought back by the Giants late in the spring after the team didn't land a pass rusher in the draft, is a hard-working and eager young player who gives it his all and has ideal measurables.

However, his run defense continues to be a major issue. Ximines has played in 26 run defense snaps and has a 4.0 run-stop percentage, third on the Giants' linebacker unit behind Tashawn Bower (14.8 in 27 snaps) and Tomon Fox (8.0 in 24 snaps).

Ximines does have value as a situational pass rusher, leading the Giants outside linebackers this preseason in pass-rush win rate (20.0). Still, until he can better defend the run, he will struggle with earning increased snaps on defense.

ILB Cam Brown

The Giants once gushed about Cam Brown's length and intangibles regarding special teams play. And sure enough, the former Penn State product developed into a solid contributor on special teams for them, even earning a vote as a unit captain last season.

The reason why Brown's spot is in jeopardy is multifaceted. For starters, he doesn't give the team anything on defense, which these days is a problem since a team can only devote so many roster spots to non-specialists who are strictly special teams.

Brown also had a lackluster sowing last year that's continued into the preseason. Carter Coughlin, who can give them snaps on defense, was a far more productive special teams player, who last year finished with a team-leading eight special teams tackles (seven solos) to Brown's six (three solos) and who this summer again leads the Giants with two special teams tackles (to Brown's one).

It's also very telling that Brown has seen his special teams snaps decrease, playing in only nine through two preseason games. The handwriting appears to be on the wall for this young player, who might find a new life with another team if things do not work out with the Giants.

WR Collin Johnson

Collin Johnson was having himself a solid camp last year when he tore his Achilles. Not one to give up, he fought his way back this year, overcoming an early summer injury, but unfortunately hasn't had much to show for it since.

Johnson has appeared in nine pass snaps this summer as an outside receiver. But he is the only one of the Giants' 11 receivers this summer not to haul in a reception. ,

Johnson has also seen his opportunities diminish on special teams, playing in only four snaps this summer (against the Lions) due to a knee injury he suffered in that game that sidetracked his progress and kept him out of last week's game against the Panthers.

Meanwhile, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, likely Johnson's main competition for a roster spot, has been healthy, available, and slightly more productive, catching 40 percent of his pass targets. But Ford-Wheaton's value, just as what would have been the case with Johnson, is on special teams where his size and gunner work will likely land him a spot on the initial 53-man roster.

RB Gary Brightwell

Brightwell is another player the Giants initially liked for his special teams ability. Unfortunately for him, after giving it a go as the kickoff returner last year, Brightwell not only didn't make much of a difference as a returner, but his coverage also left something to be desired thanks to a lack of speed which showed up when he tried to run to daylight or turn the corner.

Brightwell got some garbage time snaps as a running back on offense, finishing with 31 carries for 141 yards (4.5 average) but didn't flash. A physical player, he's been sidelined this summer, which doesn't bode well for his chances of surviving the Turk, nor does the fact that the Giants have turned to rookie Eric Gray to take on the returner role.