Every summer brings NFL training camps and every training camp has their share of roster battles.
With a new coaching staff and a load of new faces to pit against some unproven old faces, the New York Giants’ camp will have quite a number of battles for key positions this year.
Offensive tackle
Nate Solder was going to have to prove that he was still left tackle timber this summer before he opted out for the season. So, left tackle was very much in play. Now, it’s their priority.
The Giants are hopeful that first round pick Andrew Thomas slides right in and starts from Day 1. That could still happen. He’ll have plenty of company, though. Third round pick Matt Peart will now be thrust into the mix for the left tackle spot as well.
Right tackle is even more wide open. The loser of the left tackle role will have to fend off veteran free agent Cam Fleming and the Giants’ everyman, Nick Gates. These are the two biggest question marks of the summer.
Cornerback
The Giants were already prepared for any sudden downturn in DeAndre Baker’s legal situation, but they were not prepared for Sam Beal opting out.
The free agent signing of James Bradberry gives them a solid veteran on one side of the field, but there will now be a mad scramble for the open spot on the other side. The group vying for the job includes Ross Cockrell, Corey Ballentine, Montre Hartage, Dravon Askew-Henry and rookies Darnay Holmes, Chris Williamson, Christan Angulo and Jarren Williams.
Center
Spencer Pulley is the incumbent and by all accounts the Giants aren’t comfortable with that fact. There is talk of Nick Gates taking over the job, but the ultimate plan seems to be putting fifth round draft pick Shane Lemieux — a player who did not play center in college — there.
That will likely not be an early 2020 move but could be a reality at some point this season.
The Giants also still have their eye on last year’s starter, Jon Halapio, who is rehabbing from a an Achilles injury.
Inside linebacker
The signing of free agent Blake Martinez was a nice stroke by general manager Dave Gettleman, but in a 3-4 alignment, Martinez is going to need a partner.
Ryan Connelly flashed last year as a rookie before going down to a knee injury. His replacement, journeyman David Mayo, came in a played well enough for the Giants to re-sign him. They will be joined in competition this month by second year player Joseph Tauaefa and rookies T.J. Brunson and Tae Crowder.
SAM linebacker
The Giants signed Kyler Fackrell in free agency because they opted to let Markus Golden, their 2019 sack leader, test the free agent waters. Then, they got Golden back after he went unsigned in free agency. Win-win, right? Maybe.
The Giants are very high on second year player Oshane Ximines and lucked into the unheralded Carter Coughlin late in the draft. Who will see the lion’s share of the snaps come the regular season is unknown, but this is going to be one position the Giants may have solved their issues at no matter who is on the field.
Safety
Jabrill Peppers is one starter and the Giants are expecting second round pick Xavier McKinney to win the other starting job.
Julian Love, a fourth round selection in last year’s draft out of Notre Dame, may have something to say about that. He’s said to be much improved over last year, when he showed flashes in the final month, spelling the injured Peppers.
The Giants also have Sean Chandler and former New England Patriot Nate Ebner in camp.
Kick/Punt returner
Both spots are wide open at this point.
Corey Ballentine and Jabrill Peppers will be in the mix along with wide receivers Golden Tate, Darius Slayton and Corey Coleman.
One player to keep an eye on is Javon Leake, an undrafted free agent out of Maryland, who will also make a push for a backup running back spot.
Kicker
The Giants had to let Aldrick Rosas go due to his legal issues and signed Chandler Catanzaro, who is on his sixth NFL stop since 2014.
Catanzaro was actually retired last season and has never really been considered money in the bank during his career. Currently, he’s the only kicker in camp. Expect the Giants to keep scouring the marker to either find some competition or even a replacement this month.
