The New York Giants will begin their mandatory three-day minicamp on Tuesday with all three practices open to the media and both players and coaches scheduled to be made available.
While it won’t be the first time the veterans and rookies take the field together, having done that at organized team activities already, it will be the first time this year that all 90 players are required to be in East Rutherford.
Here’s a look at seven quick storylines that should be watched:
It’s all about Daniel Jones
Make no mistake about it, the overwhelming interest as camp opens is rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, who was controversially taken with the No. 6 pick overall.
Everything from his personality to his relationship with Eli Manning and from his understanding of the offense to his on-field performance will be under the microscope. If he so much as hiccups strangely, it will be headline news.
That’s the price Jones will have to pay as Manning’s heir. The good news? Like Manning, he takes it all in stride and focuses on the task at hand.
Still, all things Jones will be the focus over the next three days.
Offensive line
While we could narrow things down to the right tackle battle between Chad Wheeler and Mike Remmers (who may not be ready for a full workload yet), the reality is, the entirety of the offensive line will be among the top minicamp interests.
No, the physicality won’t and can’t be ramped up until training camp, but this will be the first real opportunity for Giants Nation to see how the newly constructed unit handles live drills.
Some of the questions that need answering are the status of Nate Solder (ankle surgery), the progression of sophomore guard Will Hernandez, the center depth chart between Jon Halapio and Spencer Pulley, the introduction of guard Kevin Zeitler and the aforementioned situation at right tackle.
How things shake out at corner
Entering the 2019 offseason, the Giants had a number of issues that needed to be addressed, including their stunning lack of depth at cornerback.
General manager Dave Gettleman spared no resource in fixing that problem, adding cornerbacks Deandre Baker, Julian Love and Corey Ballentine in the 2019 NFL Draft to go along with 2018 Supplemental Draft pick Sam Beal.
Early on, Beal and Baker have been lighting things up, while Ballentine works his way back after being injured in a shooting shortly after the draft. Love, meanwhile, has been moved all over — outside, inside and at free safety.
Janoris Jenkins will be the lead dog, but which of his pups will land where? And where do returning players like Grant Haley fit in?
Linebacker is up in the air
The Giants are stocked at the linebacker position, but they certainly have enough talent that it’s begun to create a competition at various spots.
Inside, B.J. Goodson is working to fend off second-year pro Tae Davis, who has played a lot of nickle during OTAs and looked good. The winner of that battle will, of course, line up next to veteran Alec Ogletree, who is cemented into the starting role.
Additionally, rookie Ryan Connelly has turned heads this offseason and James Bettcher is even using some of his tape as examples of proper technique. He has a real chance to make some gains at minicamp.
On the outside, the Giants are looking for Lorenzo Carter to make major strides going into his second season, but he’ll still feel some pressure from Kareem Martin. On the other side, Markus Golden is currently penciled in as the starter, but rookie Oshane Ximines could push for some added playing time this season.
Defensive alignments
The Giants have embarked on a complete defensive overhaul the past two seasons, providing defensive coordinator James Bettcher with more 3-4 players to implement.
Will that mean more 3-4 in 2019 and less 4-3? The Giants mixed and matched a bit last season, but appear more determined to go with a strict 3-4 this coming season despite a level of uncertainty in regard to where each player will line up.
One such player is rookie defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who has actually been used as the 5-technique throughout organized team activities, leaving Dalvin Tomlinson inside and B.J. Hill at the other defensive end position.
Is that how the Giants will continue to move forward? Will Lawrence see more time at the 3-technique? That’s the sort of insight that will draw the focus of many over the next three days.
Undrafted rookies
The Giants have a slew of interesting and talented undrafted rookie free agents on both sides of the ball, and which stand out will be worth watching.
Every year, some undrafted rookie erupts onto the scene and snags an unexpected 53-man roster spot, so why would 2019 be any different?
How the Giants use quarterback/tight end Eric Dungey will be among the most intriguing storylines with the unit, but don’t overlook champion shot-putter Austin Droogsma or wide receiver Reggie White Jr., who is wearing Odell Beckham’s No. 13.
On defense, Jake Carlock could give Zak DeOssie his first real challenge at long-snapper in years, while AAF Henre’ Toliver looks to crack the cornerback depth chart.
What happens at WR?
Seeing where Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard lineup will be a worthy note for anyone looking on, but those two veterans are well-established and capable of playing both outside and inside.
How the Giants mix them up will be interesting, but who steps up behind them will be the true story.
Can Corey Coleman revitalize his career and secure the No. 3 role in the absence of Odell Beckham Jr. or will Cody Latimer, Russell Shepard and Bennie Fowler giver him a run for his money?
A major opportunity is wide open for someone, and Tuesday will represent the first real chance they have to get out to an early lead.
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