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New York Giants: 9 notable position battles worth watching

By Henry Buggy

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 19: The New York Giants enter the field against the Kansas City Chiefs before their game at MetLife Stadium on November 19, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 19: The New York Giants enter the field against the Kansas City Chiefs before their game at MetLife Stadium on November 19, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 15: Kicker Aldrick Rosas #2 of the New York Giants makes a field goal during the fourth quarter on a hold from Brad Wing #9 as Brendan Langley #27 of the Denver Broncos rushes around the corner at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 15, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Giants defeated the Broncos 23-10. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 15: Kicker Aldrick Rosas #2 of the New York Giants makes a field goal during the fourth quarter on a hold from Brad Wing #9 as Brendan Langley #27 of the Denver Broncos rushes around the corner at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 15, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Giants defeated the Broncos 23-10. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

#8 – Kicker

The Giants had issues in all three phases last season. While offense and defense played a heavy hand in New York’s 3-13 record, Big Blue’s special teams were just as dreadful in 2017.

The Giants have a new special teams coordinator in Thomas McGaughey and have already made some significant personnel changes with their special teams. They have acquired a new punter in Riley Dixon and have added competition to the kicker position by signing Marshall Koehn.

Aldrick Rosas is expected to hold onto the starting kicker role in 2018, but his play last season has left the door open for competition. Many expected the Giants to address the kicker position in free agency.

Rosas connected on just 72 percent of his field goal attempts in 2017. His competition has only played in one regular season game. Koehn did knock in a 58-yard field goal attempt during a preseason game with the Minnesota Vikings. The Giants provide him the best opportunity to earn a starting role in the league.

Rosas is trying to make sure that doesn’t happen. Big Blue’s second-year kicker out of Southern Oregon connected on all seven of his field goal attempts during Thursday’s OTA, which included three kicks from plus 50 yards.

This competition will likely come down to the preseason. The Giants could also look to add another kicker before the regular season if neither player steps up.

The Giants left too many points off the board due to poor special teams play last season. Rosas missed seven attempts from 30-49 yards.

Look for the kicking competition to really heat up in August, as performance in preseason games will likely be the determining factor in who stays and who goes.

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