With the NY Giants getting ready for training camp, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the team. However, there are players who are being overlooked that could play big roles this season.
Whether it be a later-round rookie who people are seeming to forget about, or a veteran who could see a lot of snaps, the NY Giants could be in for some surprises during this year’s training camp. Here are four under-the-radar NY Giants players to keep an eye on.
4. RB Matt Breida
In late March, new general manager Joe Schoen signed former Bills running back Matt Breida to a one year deal to become Saquon Barkley’s backup. Despite only appearing in nine games last season, Breida still has plenty left in the tank.
Despite it seeming like Barkley will be entering his healthiest season since his rookie year, you never know what could happen. If Barkley manages to go down this season, we trust Breida to take fill in and make a difference. He will have an impact on this team regardless.
Entering training camp, Breida will be the No. 2 running back on the roster, as the only options behind him are Gary Brightwell, a second year player of which we have seen very little of, and Antonio Williams, who has 63 career rushing yards.
If Breida can start off the season with a hot training camp, then he will surely be in a position to help out this offense as a whole.
3. S Dane Belton
After selecting Dane Belton out of Iowa in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, fans were very excited, as it seemed like the NY Giants found another coverage safety to put next to breakout star Xavier McKinney.
Following a strong showing at OTAs, it seems like Belton will be worth the hype. Coming out of Iowa, Belton was seen as an elite coverage safety with the potential to do it all – tallying 59 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 8 pass deflections last fall. If this translates into the NFL, the NY Giants would have the next big safety duo in the league.
Belton will have a very good chance to showcase his skills during training camp. While he will likely begin camp behind veteran Julian Love, there is a very good chance Belton takes the role as starter due to the fact that he is better in coverage than love.
If Belton can come in, take the role of starting safety over Love, and do it well, then he will be considered one of the biggest steals in the draft.
2. DE Jihad Ward
After having arguably the best season of his career with the Jaguars last year, the NY Giants signed defensive end Jihad Ward to a one-year deal. Ward knows how to get to opposing quarterbacks and do so in impressive fashion.
Last season, Ward put up 32 combined tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss, and seven QB hits. Keep in mind that Ward did this while playing in only 41% of the Jaguars defensive snaps, not bad for the former second-round pick.
With Ward being surrounded by some great pass rushers in Leonard Williams, Azeez Ojulari, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, there is a very good chance that he has another strong year.
Coming into training camp, Ward will likely be playing with the starting defensive line with consistency. If he can make an early impact, he will likely cement his role as a starter for the season.
1. Jeremiah Hall
After not retaining former fullback Elijah Penny, the NY Giants opted to sign former Oklahoma TE/FB Jeremiah Hall as an undrafted free agent. Will the former Sooner end up landing the starting job?
While Hall is not the rusher that Penny was, his ability as a blocker and receiver has the chance to make a bigger impact than Penny. During his last season at Oklahoma, Hall caught 32 passes for 334 yards and 4 TDs. These stats are nearly three times better than the receiving numbers Penny put up in five seasons in the NFL.
The way Hall was used in Oklahoma is very similar to the way the Buffalo Bills used their fullback, Reggie Gilliam. Which is likely the reason New York opted to sign him after the draft.
There is still plenty of room for improvement for the 23 year old, as he has some holes as a blocker and rusher. However, he is solid enough in those areas to likely earn the starting spot on the team. Only time will tell if Hall will not only make the 53-man roster, but also be FB No. 1 for the season.