One of the most exciting aspects of NFL training camps every year are the position battles on both sides of the ball for teams. Whether it be between two rookies, or a veteran and young player, they're consistently entertaining to watch.
This season, the NY Giants will be no stranger to positional battles. While most spots on the depth chart look set and ready to go for 2023, there are a few positions with major question marks about who will start.
As of now, it seems as if these three Giants should be slated to start Week 1. However, this won't stop their backups from coming for their jobs during training camp and the preseason. If these guys underperform early on in the season, they very well could be replaced:
3. LB Darrian Beavers
While Bobby Okereke is the clear choice for LB1 on the Giants defense this season, it's rather unknown as to who will play next to him. Some say it's Jarrad Davis, others think it could be Micah McFadden. However, according to ESPN, Darrian Beavers is the current LB2 on the Giants depth chart. Obviously, this isn't the be-all-end-all, but we understand why many think he should start day one for Wink Martindale. Will he win the job?
It may have just been the preseason, but the instincts and abilities in coverage Beavers showcased prior to his injury looked special. Now, he has the chance to steal the LB2 spot from more experienced guys like the aforementioned McFadden and Davis. However, if Beavers underperforms early on in training camp, he could easily get pushed down the depth chart.
Throwing a coverage specialist like Beavers alongside a run-stopper like Okereke could make for a near-perfect pairing. Hopefully, the ACL tear Beavers suffered last season doesn't slow him down at all once camp arrives. The Giants likely can't afford to have an underperforming McFadden or Davis playing the majority of snaps at linebacker.
Beavers has the chance to make a massive impact on the Giants' defense as a sixth-round pick. If he pans out, Joe Schoen will already have done a better job drafting in the later rounds than Dave Gettleman ever did.