Giants Surprisingly Cut Hybrid With ‘Different’ Skill-Set

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he New York Giants got cut day started by surprisingly severing ties with blocking back Jakob Johnson. He was cut on Tuesday, August 27, after just two preseason games on the team, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, while tight end Jack Stoll soon followed Johnson out of the building.

Johnson’s release is somewhat of a surprise because the 29-year-old offered “something different,” according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Duggan believes there could still be a place on the practice squad for a player with Johnson’s skill-set.

Those skills include being a punishing lead blocker in the running game. That’s something the Giants could surely use as they attempt to rebuild their ground attack without Saquon Barkley.

The two-time Pro Bowler joined NFC East rivals the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 NFL free agency, and the Giants don’t have another back with Barkley’s natural talents. Veteran Devin Singletary and youngsters Eric Gray and rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. would all have benefited from Johnson’s knack for clearing rushing lanes.

That’s why it made sense to sign the former New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders starter, but Johnson’s time with Big Blue has lasted “less than two weeks,” per Schefter’s colleague Jordan Raanan. He noted Johnson had been “playing a hybrid FB/TE role.”

The surprising decision to dump Johnson was combined with the move to release Stoll, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. He only joined from the Eagles during free agency, but Duggan noted the 26-year-old “Missed time early in camp with a concussion and never made a push for a spot.”

Dumping both Johnson and Stoll likely means more work in the backfield for an incumbent tight end. Johnson’s release also gives the Giants room to add one more body to the backfield, preferably one who can also be a factor in the return game.

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Jakob Johnson Deserves Spot on Practice Squad

Johnson has too much intangible value not to at least rate a spot on the practice squad. Specifically, the Giants could use his physical aptitude as a lead-blocker, something that showed up more than once during preseason.

The Johnson effect was noticeable when he suited up against the Houston Texans in Week 2, despite not practicing. One of his first contributions was this crushing block to free Gray for a solid run, highlighted by Nick Falato of SB Nation’s Big Blue View.

Johnson’s ability to stand defenders up in the pits helps an offense maintain progress on the ground. His usefulness showed up on this block against the New York Jets in Week 3, per Bobby Skinner of Talkin’ Giants.

The Giants need this kind of brute force in a backfield no longer home to Barkley’s power between the tackles. Letting Johnson go would be a mistake, despite the team having other options to play fullback.

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Giants Can Turn to Familiar Face for Fullback Work

Perhaps the best option is third-year tight end Daniel Bellinger. The player selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft has the physical dimensions, at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, to be a formidable blocker.

Bellinger’s had his struggles gaining reps this offseason, but he’s still a powerful and versatile playmaker if used in the right ways. Trusting Bellinger as the blocker, but stashing Johnson on the practice squad, would be a smart way for the Giants to load up at a niche position.

It would also mean retaining Johnson’s ability to help out on special teams. As NorthJersey.com’s Art Stapleton pointed out, “Johnson got core special teams work today on kickoff coverage and  punt” when he first joined the Giants.

The Giants need a back with some utility in football’s third phase, although they may focus instead on adding an old enemy to cover injuries in the return game. That would be a shame for Johnson, whose throwback skills are something the Giants also need.

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