New York Giants: 9 notable position battles worth watching
By Henry Buggy
The G-Men held three of their 10 OTA practices through the week. It marked the first time Big Blue’s rookies and veterans hit the field together.
Phase Three of the offseason workout program allows teams to participate in 11-on-11 drills without live contact. Giants head coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman have been building a new culture within the organization since taking over their new positions.
There’s been plenty of personnel turnover after Big Blue’s disastrous 3-13 season. The Giants have a new look offensive line, which no longer includes Justin Pugh or Weston Richburg. They have retooled the defensive side of the ball, adding versatile players who fit James Bettcher’s scheme.
With personnel and coaching staff changes, the Giants have multiple positions up for grabs. Of course, most of Big Blue’s stars will hold onto their starting positions. Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., Nate Solder, Damon Harrison, Landon Collins, Janoris Jenkins, Olivier Vernon, Alec Ogletree, and Saquon Barkley are all locks to start if healthy.
That’s only nine players. The Giants will need multiple players to step up if they are hoping for a quick turnaround in 2018. Some players are likely to back into starting roles due to lack of depth. But Shurmur, Bettcher, and the coaching staff will also look for competition to bring out the best in this roster.
New York’s Week 1 depth chart won’t be finalized for months. Here’s a look at some of the most notable position battles to watch ahead of the 2018 regular season.