Pre-Training Camp Depth Chart For New York Giants
By Curt Macysyn
The 2016 version of the New York Giants promises to have more talent and depth than the previous two squads. This off season, co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch gave the green light to general manager Jerry Reese to acquire players through free agency.
According to the website Spotrac.com, the Giants spent $205.7 million in free agency in March, second only to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL.
Through the draft, Big Blue appeared to select players with more of a focus to get those youngsters on the playing field sooner rather than later, even as they stay on their message of “best available athlete”.
New head coach Ben McAdoo and his staff will undoubtedly have more decisions to make at final cuts, than former coach Tom Coughlin did the past two years. The key training camp battles will be at running back, tight end and defensive tackle, as new depth has bolstered those areas. But the offensive tackle, safety and the linebacking positions will need measurable improvement, if the Giants are to compete for the division title.
Heading into training camp, here’s how the depth chart stacks up:
OFFENSE (Bold, Italics denote possible Pro Bowl candidates)
QB – Eli Manning, Ryan Nassib
FB – Nikita Whitlock, Will Johnson
HB – Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen
WR – Victor Cruz, Sterling Shepard (R)
WR – Odell Beckham, Jr., Dwayne Harris
LT – Ereck Flowers, Emmett Cleary
LG – Justin Pugh, Adam Gettis
C – Weston Richburg, Brett Jones
RG – John Jerry, Bobby Hart
RT – Marshall Newhouse, Byron Stingily
The offensive line remains thin, especially on the right side, so 2015 draft pick Bobby Hart should get an opportunity to compete for a starting spot. The coaching staff has tried Hart at right tackle at OTA’s, but he may be better equipped to handle the reins at guard. Both guard Justin Pugh and center Weston Richburg will be candidates for the Pro Bowl this season.
The Giants will primarily employ a three-wide receiver set, so rookie Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma) will likely get the nod on the first team. The health of Victor Cruz will determine how much the explosive Dwayne Harris is utilized on offense. Can Beckham break the 100-catch plateau this season?
Running back Andre Williams will feel the pressure from rookie Paul Perkins (UCLA) and special teams contributor Orleans Darkwa. In limited action (36 carries), Darkwa averaged 4.2 yards per carry in 2015.
DEFENSE (Bold, Italics denote possible Pro Bowl candidates)
LDE – Jason Pierre-Paul, Kerry Wynn
LDT – Johnathan Hankins, Jay Bromley
RDT – Damon Harrison, Montori Harris
RDE – Olivier Vernon, Owe Odighizuwa
SLB – Devon Kennard, Mark Herzlich
MLB – Jasper Brinkley, Keenan Robinson
WLB – J.T. Thomas, Jonathan Casillas
LCB – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Eli Apple (R)
SS – Landon Collins, Cooper Taylor
FS – Nat Berhe, Darian Thompson (R)
RCB – Janoris Jenkins, Trevin Wade
The additions of Harrison, Vernon and Jenkins bolster a defense that ranked dead last in the NFL last season. But will these additions be enough to overcome a thin linebacking corps? Brinkley likely begins training camp as the starter at middle linebacker, but the Giants did not sign Robinson away from the Redskins to be a back-up. Big Blue is high on fourth-round draft pick B.J. Goodson (Clemson), but when have we heard that before?
Safety play on the Giants was awful last season, and improvement is desperately needed from Collins, who was more sizzle than steak last season. Berhe is coming off of calf surgery, and the G-Men like Darian Thompson’s play-making skills.
The corners are solid, and rookie Apple will likely be the slot cornerback entering the season. A full training camp of repetitions against the dynamic Beckham will help the former Buckeye grow up in a hurry.
Pierre-Paul and Vernon are seen as givens at defensive end, so the Giants need production from their back-ups at the position. Odighizuwa will have to remain healthy, and Wynn will have to prove he can get to the quarterback. Can high-energy Brad Bars makes enough of an impact to challenge for playing time?
The Giants were lauded for poaching Damon “Snacks” Harrison from the cash-strapped New York Jets, and teamed with Johnathan Hankins, the duo forms a potential immovable force in the middle. Third-year player Jay Bromley has never lived up to Reese’s investment of a third-round draft pick, while former first-round draft pick, Louis Nix III, looks to make the cut. Sports Illustrated likes widely unknown undrafted free agent pick up Greg Milhouse from Campbell University.