Can Elijah Riley earn spot with Giants as backup defensive back?

Riley has spent most of his time playing special teams

How many 53-man roster spots can the New York Giants devote to players who are primarily special teams contributors? That determination could be a factor in whether or not journeyman defensive back/special teamer Elijah Riley has a realistic chance to make the team in 2024.

Let’s discuss Riley as we continue player-by-player profiles of the Giants’ 90-man roster.

The skinny

Height: 6-foot
Weight: 205
Opening day age: 26
Position: Defensive back
Experience: 4
Contract: One-year, $1.125 million | 2024 cap hit: $985,000 | Fully guaranteed: $0

Career to date

Riley joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020 as an undrafted free agent after playing collegiately at Army. He initially made the practice squad but appeared in five games — 65 special teams snaps and four defensive snaps.

He played in eight games for the Eagles and New York Jets in 2021, starting seven at safety for the Jets. Those are the only starts of his NFL career.

Riley spent the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing 70 defensive snaps and 236 special teams snaps.

The Giants signed him in May.

2024 outlook

Jason Pinnock, Tyler Nubin, and Dane Belton are locked into safety spots on the 53-man roster. Veteran Jalen Mills is likely to make the roster, as well. Young safeties like second-year man Gervarrius Owens and undrafted free Alex Johnson, along with cornerbacks like Tre Herndon, David Long, Kaleb Hayes and perhaps even the long-forgotten Aaron Robinson could be in the mix for the final defensive back spot(s).

Can Riley earn a place? That might come down to injuries and whether or not the Giants believe Riley is a viable defensive option should they need to reach that far into the depth chart.