New York Giants: Five Takeaways From First Official Depth Chart

Free Agent Signing Far Down

Jul 31, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Shane Vereen (34) rushes for yardage during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into the offseason the Giants had a number of holes they wanted to shore up. One was adding a more versatile running back to the group they had already put together, so they signed Shane Vereen away from the New England Patriots. Vereen may not be an every down back, but he will help the Giants immensely in pass protection and give Eli Manning another option in the passing game.

When they signed him it sounded like he had a big role set for him, as people were hyping him up to potentially lead the Giants backfield in touches this season. It seems like those expectations will have to be tempered back a little bit, at least in the start as Vereen is listed with the third team on the depth chart at running back, along with undrafted free agent Akeem Hunt.

Throughout the first week of practice there was talk that Rashad Jennings role was going to be diminished this season. That will probably happen, as the Giants will look to keep him healthy through all 16 games this season. But, when he was seen at practice running behind both Vereen and second year Andre Williams, talk was rapidly picking up that Jennings would become a backup.

For the first week, that doesn’t seem to be the case as Jennings is listed as the first team running back, and rightfully so. Vereen was a big signing for the Giants, but he does not have the size to handle the ball as a ball carrier out of the backfield; it would limit his effectiveness in the passing game.

While third string seems weird to see Vereen on, he is there more likely because you have to list a first, second and third, not because of something he did at practice. He may be the third player on the Giants pecking order for carries, but he will undoubtedly have a huge role in the passing game, especially if Cruz is unable to perform up to his standards in the early going.

Next: Starting Safeties