By Dan Duggan | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

After months of speculation, we finally got to see the Giants in action in their preseason opener on Friday against the Steelers. The game revealed revealed where players stand on the depth chart and laid a foundation for who is on the outside looking in at a spot on the 53-man roster. A lot can change between now and the Sept. 2 cut-down day, but here's my projection for the 53-man roster after the preseason opener:

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QUARTERBACKS: 3

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Brad Penner | USA TODAY Sports

In: Eli Manning, Geno Smith, Davis Webb

Out: Josh Johnson

Yes, Geno Smith and Josh Johnson were underwhelming in the preseason opener, while rookie Davis Webb showed promise. No, that's not going to cause the Giants to deviate from their plan. While some fans continue to clamor for Webb to the be No. 2 quarterback, the Giants are going to bring their third-round pick along slowly. Webb likely won't see the field again until the preseason finale because the team will have to factor in snaps for starter Eli Manning, who got the night off in the opener. Johnson blew his slight lead over Smith with an abysmal performance on Friday night. Johnson might still be holding the ball in the pocket.

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RUNNING BACKS: 5

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James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

In: Paul Perkins, Shane Vereen, Orleans Darkwa, Wayne Gallman, Shane Smith (FB)

Out: Shaun Draughn, Khalid Abdullah, Jacob Huesman (FB)

I go back-and-forth on whether the Giants will keep a fullback. It's a decision that will have ramifications on the rest of the roster and they could decide to just use their tight ends at fullback. But I'm going to give Smith a roster spot because he showed what a true fullback brings to the table on a few plays on Friday night. Coach Ben McAdoo praised Smith's work on special teams, which is crucial for a fullback. The top four running backs are set unless Draughn (ankle) gets off the PUP list and turns head over the final weeks of the preseason.

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TIGHT ENDS: 3

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Julio Cortez | AP Photo

In: Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison, Jerell Adams

Out: Matt LaCosse, Will Tye, Colin Thompson

If the Giants don't carry a fullback, they'll likely carry a fourth tight end (LaCosse). But with a fullback on the roster, there's no need for more than three tight ends. I had been down on Adams early in camp, but the coaching staff clearly has him ahead of LaCosse and Tye based on their playing time on Friday. And Adams performed well on Friday to justify his standing on the depth chart.

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WIDE RECEIVERS: 6

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Julio Cortez | AP Photo

In: Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard, Tavarres King, Dwayne Harris, Roger Lewis

Out: Darius Powe, Travis Rudolph, Kevin Snead, Keeon Johnson, Jerome Lane, Kevin Norwood

Yes, I'm giving Lewis a roster spot despite his rough showing on Friday night. Here's why: It's unlikely that the Giants will even dress six wide receivers for each game. And if they do, there's little chance that the sixth receiver will see the field on offense. Lewis' path to the roster is special teams. He's a starter on three of the four core special teams units. So, even though Powe has been the better receiver this summer, Lewis provides more value to the team on game day. All of that said, it's entirely possible that the Giants elect to keep just five receivers. King needs to get back on the field soon from an ankle injury to maintain his hold on a roster spot.

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Bubble boys

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OFFENSIVE LINE: 8

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Julio Cortez | AP Photo

In: LT Ereck Flowers, LG Justin Pugh, C Weston Richburg, RG John Jerry, RT Bobby Hart, C/G Brett Jones, G/T D.J. Fluker, T Adam Bisnowaty

Out: C/G Adam Gettis, C/G Jon Halapio, T Chad Wheeler, G Corin Brooks, T Michael Bowie, T Jarron Jones

Wheeler was inching closer to a roster spot after getting some first-team reps last week in practice, but the preseason opener served as a reminder that the undrafted free agent has a long way to go. The Giants should be able to slip Wheeler through waivers to the practice squad. The only roster spot truly up for debate is the backup interior spot. Jones has the edge, but Halapio or Gettis could make a push.

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DEFENSIVE ENDS: 5

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Jonathan Daniel | Getty Images

In: Olivier Vernon, Jason Pierre-Paul, Romeo Okwara, Avery Moss, Kerry Wynn

Out: Devin Taylor, Owa Odighizuwa, Jordan Williams, Evan Schwan

This is one of the toughest positions to call and the Giants could make things easy by just carrying six defensive ends. But that seems like overkill when considering that Vernon and Pierre-Paul never come off the field. Taylor would be a tough player to cut after his strong showing in the preseason opener, but Wynn also had an impressive performance and he has the benefit of experience within the system.

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Rookie report

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DEFENSIVE TACKLES: 4

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

In: Damon Harrison, Dalvin Tomlinson, Robert Thomas, Jay Bromley

Out: Corbin Bryant, Josh Banks

Bryant hasn't shown enough to seriously challenge for a roster spot. The big question at defensive tackle is who will start next to Harrison. Bromley has the early lead in that competition.

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LINEBACKERS: 6

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Peter Morgan | AP Photo

In: Jonathan Casillas, B.J. Goodson, Devon Kennard, Keenan Robinson, Mark Herzlich, Calvin Munson

Out: Deontae Skinner, J.T. Thomas, Stansly Maponga, Curtis Grant

Munson has moved up the depth chart rapidly in training camp. The fact that the undrafted free agent is on the first-team of the core four special teams units bodes well for his odds of making the roster. Thomas (knee) remains on the PUP list and it's hard to imagine a role for him when he gets healthy.

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Studs and duds

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CORNERBACKS: 5

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Brad Penner | USA TODAY Sports

In: Janoris Jenkins, Eli Apple, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Michael Hunter, Valentino Blake

Out: Donte Deayon, DaShaun Amos, Nigel Tribune

It might be a surprise to see Blake on the roster after a rough showing in the preseason opener, but McAdoo absolved the corner of blame for one of the long completions he surrendered on Friday. McAdoo pointed the finger at safety Nat Berhe, who slipped and wasn't in position over the top. Blake is also a core special teams player, which is important for a fifth corner. Deayon doesn't bring the same special teams value.

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SAFETIES: 5

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Brad Penner | USA TODAY Sports

In: Landon Collins, Darian Thompson, Andrew Adams, Nat Berhe, Eric Pinkins

Out: Duke Ihenacho, Ryan Murphy, Trey Robinson

The Giants easily could keep just four safeties, but I added Pinkins because of the injury history of Thompson and Berhe and Pinkins' potential impact on special teams. The top three safeties (Collins, Thompson, Adams) are locked in.

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SPECIALISTS: 3

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Rich Schultz | Getty Images

In: K Aldrick Rosas, P Brad Wing, LS Zak DeOssie

Out: K Mike Nugent

Rosas finally has some competition, but the unproven kicker hasn't flinched since Nugent was signed early in camp. The kickers are even after one preseason game, but Rosas' youth and leg strength should give them the edge if the battle remains tight.

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PRACTICE SQUAD: 10

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Julio Cortez | AP Photo

In: WR Darius Powe, WR Travis Rudolph, TE Colin Thompson, OL Chad Wheeler, OL Jarron Jones, DE Jordan Williams, DE Evan Schwan, LB Curtis Grant, CB Donte Deayon, S Ryan Murphy

Powe and Deayon would be two of my last cuts, so the Giants would likely want to bring them back for a second season on the practice squad. An injury to a receiver or cornerback could lead to a promotion. Wheeler could benefit from a year of development in the weight room.

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Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.