2. LB Darrian Beavers
Darrian Beavers, a 2022 sixth round-pick out of Cincinnati, was the star of Giants training camp last summer. Bevears climbed up to number two on the Giants ILB depth chart and was in line to start the season opener alongside Crowder, but unfortunately he tore his ACL in the Giants second preseason game against the Bengals.
Beavers worked mostly on the side with the trainers during the Giants minicamp, so it's hard to tell where he is in the recovery process. McFadden has more experience, which puts him ahead of Beavers for now, but it's clear Beavers has a higher ceiling, which could push him onto the field very quickly.
Beavers played five college seasons, the first two at Connecticut and the final three at Cincinnati. The talented linebacker racked up 230 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles.
During the 2021 college football season, Beavers' Cincinnati team reached the College Football Playoff and squared off against Alabama. In that game, Beavers sacked Bryce Young once, with four tackles against a great Alabama offensive line featuring current New York Giant right tackle Evan Neal.
Beavers is 6-4, 255 pounds, and ran a 4.70 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine. He is a freak athlete who could prove to be a diamond in the rough. With the injury to Davis, the Giants are going to need him to be that diamond, as he is now in line to receive a ton of meaningful reps.