Giants' Roster Cuts: Undrafted Linebacker Ford Overlooked Despite Strong Preseason
The New York Giants finalized their 53-man roster, leaving undrafted rookie outside linebacker Trace Ford off the team despite a standout preseason. Ford recorded one sack, four tackles for loss, and eight pressures, earning the second-best pass-rush grade on the squad. The Giants opted to keep only three outside linebackers, making Ford a surprising cut.
Ford's preseason production placed him among the team's most effective edge rushers, yet the Giants prioritized depth at inside linebacker, retaining Zaire Barnes to shore up a run defense that struggled during the 2025 campaign. With only three outside linebackers kept, Ford's path was blocked by established veterans Burns, Thibodeaux, and rookie Carter. If he clears waivers, the practice squad remains a likely landing spot.
Cambre, in his second summer with the franchise, led the receiver group in production, catching every target thrown his way while also contributing on special teams with two coverage tackles. His 20-yard receptions against Minnesota and the Jets demonstrated perimeter playmaking despite his smaller frame, though a crowded receiver room ultimately worked against him.
Undrafted players like Ford and Cambre face an inherently precarious path to NFL employment, and their situations highlight how roster decisions often hinge on positional depth rather than individual merit. For fans, such cuts can fuel frustration with coaching staffs, while for the players themselves, waivers and practice squads represent fragile lifelines. The broader effect may be increased scrutiny of how teams balance immediate needs against developing unproven talent, particularly for franchises rebuilding under new leadership.