Giants cut Tommy Devito; Here's who made the 53-man roster

NEW YORK — Tommy DeVito got caught in a quarterback crunch.

DeVito did not make the Giants’ 53-man roster, which the team finalized Tuesday afternoon on the NFL’s cutdown day.

The 27-year-old DeVito was the odd man out after the Giants signed veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston and drafted Jaxson Dart this offseason.

“Every time you have these conversations and you release people, you have a high opinion of most everyone you release,” head coach Brian Daboll said Tuesday, without discussing specific players.

“The amount of time and effort and energy they’ve put into it [makes the cuts] difficult every year.”

A native of Cedar Grove, N.J., DeVito became a fan favorite when he was forced into starting duty as an undrafted rookie in 2023 and led the Giants on an improbable three-game winning streak.

He earned the nickname “Tommy Cutlets” due to his Italian heritage and affinity for his mother’s chicken cutlets.

“If I was in the stands, I’d be cheering for anybody who was the hometown kid, too,” DeVito said after last week’s preseason finale. “It was appreciated.”

DeVito also started two games last year, including the first after Daniel Jones was released.

Overall, DeVito went 3-5 as a starter. He’s completed 65.3% of his passes for 1,358 yards and eight touchdowns against three interceptions in 12 career games.

Wilson is set to be the Giants’ starter on a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, while Winston is under contract for two seasons. The Giants traded up to select Dart with the No. 25 pick in this year’s draft, envisioning him as their quarterback of the future.

It’s unusual for teams to carry four quarterbacks, but DeVito could return to the Giants’ practice squad if he clears waivers.

DeVito played the entire second half of the Giants’ 42-10 win over the New England Patriots in the preseason finale and completed 17 of 20 pass attempts for 198 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover.

“Any time you go on the field, no matter where you are, especially being undrafted, you’re performing for all 31 other organizations as well,” DeVito said afterward.

“It’s important to do that, but as well as be where your feet are. Right now, this is where I am, so that’s what I’m going to do each day in, day out, and then I’ll let my agent and everything else handle itself if that time were to come.”

Teams can carry 90 players during the preseason, but they were required to trim their rosters to 53 before 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday — 12 days before they open the regular season on Sept. 7 at Washington.

Here are the 53 players who made the cut for the Giants:

Quarterback (3): Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart (rookie), Jameis Winston

Daboll remains resolute that the 36-year-old Wilson, a 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, is the Giants’ starter. How long that remains the case is the bigger question after Dart, 22, impressed throughout the preseason.

Running back (3): Tyrone Tracy Jr., Cam Skattebo (rookie), Devin Singletary

Dante “Turbo” Miller made a case as an offensive weapon and special-teams gunner, but the Giants are going with only three running backs. Eric Gray (knee) remains on the physically unable to perform list.

Wide receiver (6): Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Beaux Collins (rookie), Gunner Olszewski

Olszewski is set to be the Giants’ kick returner, beating out fellow wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette. Collins, who delivered an 80-yard catch-and-run on a Wilson moonball against the Jets in the preseason, sticks as an undrafted rookie. Lil’ Jordan Humphrey and Juice Wells were among the cuts.

Tight end (4): Theo Johnson, Chris Manhertz, Daniel Bellinger, Thomas Fidone II (rookie)

A tough break for Greg Dulcic, who was cut after catching three touchdowns during the preseason. Johnson, Bellinger and the seventh-rounder Fidone were all drafted by general manager Joe Schoen, while Manhertz adds an element as a blocker.

Offensive tackle (4): Andrew Thomas, Jermaine Eluemunor, James Hudson III, Marcus Mbow (rookie)

No big surprises here, with Hudson signed as a swing tackle to back up Thomas and Eluemunor, and Mbow showing promise as a fifth-round pick. Offseason signing Stone Forsythe was among those who didn’t make the team.

Offensive guard (4): Jon Runyan Jr., Greg Van Roten, Evan Neal, Aaron Stinnie

Joshua Ezeudu will begin the season on injured reserve but was designated to return. Runyan and Van Roten are back as the starters, while Neal will back them up after transitioning to guard.

Center (2): John Michael Schmitz, Austin Schlottmann

Schlottmann provides versatility, which allows the Giants to carry two centers.

Edge rusher (3): Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter (rookie)

This position group figures to be the strength of the roster, with Carter living up to the billing as the No. 3 pick in the draft thus far. Tomon Fox and Trace Ford were among those to get cut. Victor Dimukeje (torn pectoral muscle) is on the physically unable to perform list.

Defensive line (6): Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, Roy Robertson-Harris, Darius Alexander (rookie), Chauncey Golston, D.J. Davidson

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was Elijah Chatman getting cut, considering he took first-team reps this summer and even played a bit of fullback. Davidson, a 2022 fifth-round pick under Schoen, makes it instead. Golston can play multiple positions, including edge rusher, after signing a three-year, $19.5 million deal in the offseason.

Inside Linebacker (5): Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Darius Muasau, Chris Board, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

It’s a bit of a surprise the Giants decided to carry five off-ball linebackers. Board signed a two-year deal in the offseason, while Flannigan-Fowles spent the past five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, appearing in 73 games.

Cornerback (7): Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, Cor’Dale Flott, Art Green, Korie Black, Nic Jones

The first four were givens all summer, and Green put himself in that category, too, with a strong preseason. Black and Jones make it as depth pieces, while Tre Hawkins III — a former Schoen draft pick who started four games in two seasons — does not.

Safety (3): Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton

The Giants are going short at safety, but it’s a talented trio, particularly after Belton’s impressive summer. He’ll back up Holland, who signed a three-year, $45 million contract in the offseason, and Nubin, a 2024 second-round pick.

Special teams (3): K Graham Gano, P Jamie Gillan, LS Casey Kreiter

It’s the fourth consecutive season the Giants are rolling with this trio.

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