Last summer, the New York Giants claimed safety Anthony Johnson Jr off waivers after keeping fewer players at the position during the 53-man roster cutdown.
Like clockwork, the Giants went with the same strategy in 2025 despite parting ways with Johnson well before the start of preseason, rolling with only three safeties on the initial 53. Those players were Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin and Dane Belton.
Once again, the theory was that the Giants would add another safety after the cutdown, either with a waiver claim or in free agency. And they did just that.
NFL insider Albert Breer revealed the full list of NFL waiver claims on August 27, and the Giants poached Baltimore Ravens cut Beau Brade and New Orleans Saints cut Rico Payton.
Both are defensive backs, but Brade will take over as the new fourth safety this time around — with shades of the Johnson move a year ago.
“Giants are claiming former Ravens and Maryland safety Beau Brade, per @Jeff_Ermann,” the Talkin’ Giants podcast account relayed on X. “Brade appeared in 11 games last year as a UDFA and logged over 200 special teams snaps.”
They also shared a highlight reel of Brade connecting on big hits and making a couple of impact plays with Baltimore.
Via @VidsBySimp
As Talkin’ Giants noted, Brade was mainly a special teams contributor in Baltimore, and he should be utilized in the same role with Big Blue. He recorded 3 total tackles in 2024, but only appeared on 11 defensive snaps.
New Giants DB Rico Payton Profiles as Another Core Special Teamer
Payton may be considered a cornerback, but he’s nearly identical to Brade and Johnson otherwise.
Making the Saints‘ active roster as an undrafted rookie in 2024, Payton suited up for 11 games, logging a whopping 245 snaps on special teams. This equated to “57% of special teams snaps for the Saints,” according to Bobby Skinner’s popular Giants Nation Show podcast.
Payton was credited with 11 total tackles and 1 pass breakup on defense. He stands at 6-feet-tall and turns 26 years old in late November.
As The Athletic’s Dan Duggan noted, “[the] Giants will need to make two moves to open [up] spots for the claims.”
Giants 2 Corresponding Cuts Feature ‘Roster Gymnastics’ & Stash Attempt
Before long, the Giants‘ two corresponding cuts were revealed, and Duggan was the man to report them.
The Giants cut WR Gunner Olszewski and CB Korie Black to make room for the two waiver claims,” he informed.
Adding: “Expect Olszewski back on the 53 when the dust settles as they perform some roster gymnastics, while Black is likely headed to the practice squad (assuming he clears waivers).”
Sometimes you’ll see an NFL team release a younger player a day or two after the initial round of waiver claims, to potentially lessen their chances of getting claimed. That could be the Giants‘ plan with Black, a 2025 seventh-round pick who hasn’t put too much on tape at the professional level.
As for Olszewski, his veteran status makes him an easy cut that the Giants don’t have to worry about losing, assuming he’s on board with the likely switcheroo onto the practice squad.
Olszewski is still expected to serve as NYG’s lead returner in 2025, after beating out Ihmir Smith-Marsette this summer. He will not pass through waivers as Black will, and that allows the Giants to momentarily cut him without any risk of losing him to another team.
Giants Take Another Stab at Failed 2024 Strategy