The New York Giants begin Phase 3 of their offseason program, the on-field portion referred to as OTAs, on Monday.
There will be 10 on-field practices over the next three weeks, with media having access to three. Here are four things to watch.
What’s up with Daniel Jones?
Will the quarterback, rehabbing from a torn ACL and under pressure after a horrid 2023 season, do anything on the field?
Jones is about six months out from surgery to repair the ACL, with an expected recovery to return to play of eight to 10 months. All indications from the Giants have been that they expect Jones, who may face a fight from Drew Lock for his starting job, to be ready for training camp and ultimately the start of the 2024 season.
Could Jones do some on-field work during OTAs? Perhaps throwing routes to receivers during individual and install portions of practices? Jones said in April that he has been moving and throwing in “quarterback-specific drills.”
Offensive line plans
The Giants have indicated that Evan Neal will get an opportunity to remain at right tackle. How long will his leash be? Will Jermaine Eluemunor, who started at right tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders the past two seasons, get some work at that spot? How will the Giants align Eluemunor an Jon Runyan Jr., free agents signed to bolster the line?
Will the Giants employ the constant shuffle of the line they did during the preseason last year, or will they try to settle their starting alignment more quickly?
The rookies
OTAs will be our first glimpse of how rookies are mixing in with the veterans. Expect the top three picks, wide receiver Malik Nabers, safety Tyler Nubin and cornerback Andru Phillips to work with the first unit.
Will Dante ‘Turbo’ Miller show that he might be able to compete for a running back spot? Will any of the undrafted free agents put themselves in position to fight for a roster spot in training camp?
Will Darren Waller play?
OTAs are still voluntary. Nothing is mandatory until mini-camp June 11 and 12. So, Waller, the veteran tight end who has been mulling retirement, does not have to show up for this portion of the offseason.
Still, at some point the 31-year-old has to decide whether or not he is committed to football. Have drafted Theo Johnson and signed two tight ends in free agency, the Giants appear to be planning to move on without him.
Copyright © 2024
Leave a Reply