Dallas Cowboys at Giants: New York Roster Moves Ahead of Week 1 Opener

The Dallas Cowboys will be dealing with an improved, healthy New York Giants team to start the season.

The Dallas Cowboys will visit the New York Giants to start the 2023 season. New York’s transactions as they finalize its initial 53-man roster could give Dallas a tougher matchup than initially anticipated.

On Tuesday, the Giants activated second-year receiver Wan’Dale Robinson from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. The former 43rd-overall pick is working his way back from an ACL tear suffered in Week 11.

It is not yet clear if he’ll be ready for the season opener, but Robinson is hopeful, calling it a “gradual buildup.” If the Giants did not activate Robinson, they would have had to wait until after Week 4 to activate him. This move opens the door for him to make some semblance of an immediate impact.

Robinson is a slot receiver whose game is predicated on after-the-catch abilities. For that reason, he and fellow slot receiver Parris Campbell may see occasional snaps out of the backfield. That versatility could tip the Cowboys’ hand in coverage and exploit matchups in short-yardage situations.

Robinson’s activation will temporarily take former Dallas receiver Cole Beasley off the initial roster. His experience and rapport with head coach Brian Daboll makes him a likely practice squad candidate.

Further, New York also added to its pass rushing depth. On Tuesday, they swapped late-round picks with the Buffalo Bills for edge rusher Carlos “Boogie” Basham. General manager Joe Schoen helped take Basham in the second-round in 2021 during his time in Buffalo.

Basham has 4.5 sacks through two professional seasons. He hasn’t lived up to his draft capital, but he gets a fresh start with some familiar faces and adds to the Giants’ lackluster depth.

Sports Illustrated Sportsbook currently has Dallas as 3.5-point favorites for the opener. Both Robinson and Basham are assets that could chip away at that spread.