3 biggest concerns out of NY Giants minicamp

The NY Giants completed their mandatory minicamp last week, finishing with a cancelled final day. The next time the team is together in a mandatory setting will be at the end of July, with training camp set to begin July 26.

So, after the first glimpse of the 2022 Giants, let’s take a look at three of the biggest concerns which have arisen (or still exist) for this team heading into 2022. The hope is that things can get cleared up as soon as possible.

3. NY Giants Cornerback depth chart

Heading into minicamp, perhaps the most uncertain positional group on the roster was cornerback. The long-winded James Bradberry saga finally came to a close at the beginning of May, with the star cornerback being released by the Giants and eventually signing with the Eagles. Understandably, many questions have arisen surrounding which current Giant would step up to fill the Bradberry-sized hole in the secondary, or if indeed the solution is not yet on the roster.

Unfortunately, it would appear the picture is no clearer after minicamp. Cornerbacks Rodarius Williams, Darnay Holmes and Darren Evans didn’t practice at all during the camp, with Aaron Robinson also donning a red jersey, being a limited participant.

It would appear, at least on paper, that the current roster has a number of slot cornerbacks, but may be missing a certified CB2 behind Adoree Jackson. Unfortunately, it is extremely important that the cornerbacks in a Wink Martindale defense (at least what he showed in Baltimore) are able to handle being left on an island – something the likes of second-year Robinson and rookie Cordale Flott have yet to have the chance to prove they are capable of achieving at the NFL level.

The moves – or lack thereof – Schoen and the Giants make at the position in the coming months will shed light on the plan for the unit in 2022. That doesn’t change the fact, however, that coming out of minicamp the cornerback position should be one of the largest concerns for the organization and the fans.

2. Kayvon Thibodeaux injury

Kayvon Thibodeaux’s career in New York was off to a hot start even before he had taken the field as a Giant. In fact, Thibodeaux has made an impact on an international scale already, representing the lone rookie, and lone defensive player, to feature in the top-10 jersey sales within the United Kingdom.

Unfortunately for Giants fans, the only jersey the No. 5 overall pick was wearing at minicamp was red – signifying an injury designation. While the exact nature of the injury and time frame for recovery has not been revealed by the Giants, reading between the lines there may be a reason for concern.

As reported by Jordan Raanan, Brian Daboll is hopeful Thibodeaux will “be good to go” for the Giants training camp. With camp not scheduled until the end of July, uncertainty around his availability may suggest the injury is more serious than initially suspected.

The implications of an injured Thibodeaux are of course huge for the Giants in 2022. Not only is the rookie one of the most important defensive pieces of Martindale’s first season in charge, but he has also been touted as one of the key figures for the rebuild of the franchise under Schoen.

The Giants and Thibodeaux are not required to release in-depth information on the injury at this stage, and so it is likely it will be a waiting game to see just how serious it may be. With a long way to go until the season, there is no reason to panic just yet. Giants fans, however, will certainly be hoping this is not yet another first-round pick who spends his first offseason sitting on the sidelines.

1. Injuries for Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney and more

Thibodeaux was far from the only Giant wearing a red jersey during minicamp, with much of the wide receivers room joining him on the sidelines. Receivers Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney saw no action during the camp, with Kenny Golladay and Collin Johnson listed as limited participants.

It is an unfortunate start to the offseason for the unit which has been so bad over the past few seasons in East Rutherford. Ahead of 2021, they had significant hype, even being ranked 12th by PFF heading into the year. The unit failed to live up to the “top-five potential” PFF labelled it with – in large part due to the new pairing of Toney and Golladay combining for no touchdowns after struggling with injuries and an uninspiring offensive scheme under Jason Garrett.

Whether or not it is warranted, there is again some hope for the unit in 2022. With additions like Wan’Dale Robinson, as well as an improved offensive line and an offense led by Daboll and Mike Kafka, the unit could see a significant bounce back in 2022.

Of course, this is all a projection of what “could be” rather than anything which has been displayed just yet. For that reason, the unit has to be at the top of Giants fans’ concerns at this stage with so many pieces still on the sidelines and watching. The impact the receiver room has on the team is far bigger than just 2022, with players such as Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley needing help from the unit to see their careers extended in New York.

Final Thoughts

While it is still very early in the preseason program in New York, it should be of some concern that many of the Giants’ most important players are once again on the injured list. There is certainly reason for optimism under the new regime, but it is important the few star players this current roster possesses are healthy and contributing both on the training field and on Sundays come September.