The New York Giants is now through two weeks of training camp and turning a corner to the preseason, which begins Thursday against the New England Patriots.
Lifters
Jeremiah Hall and Andre Miller – I’m lumping the two undrafted free agents together because padded practices and the Fan Fest melee make it feel like they got the coaching staff’s attention, and that they could compete for the same roster spot. stain
Both players are worth watching.
Darrian Beavers – The Giants drafted Beavers in Round 6 after drafting Micah McFadden in Round 5. It’s Beavers, though, who keeps showing up in the backfield. Significantly, he did so against both the run and the pass.
Joshua Ezeudu – The third-round pick out of North Carolina is unlikely to win a starting job unless there is a major injury along the offensive line. His importance to the Giants, however, seems to be growing. Ezeudu worked at both tackle spots, left guard and may have even gotten some right guard reps although I don’t recall seeing any, If he didn’t he’ll likely follow Marcus McKethan’s injury.
With Matt Gono out of the team with a career-threatening neck injury, right now Ezeudu is the swing man. In fact, he’s probably the first offensive lineman off the bench in the event of any injury.
Kenny Golladay – The highly paid wide receiver had a great week of practice. He was spectacular on Wednesday, making the kinds of plays that made the organization want to bring him in a year ago. Maybe the offseason work he did with Daniel Jones and the fact that Golladay was able to practice every day in training camp is starting to pay off.
Collin Johnson – Don’t overlook this third-year receiver in the battle for roster spots at that position. He made a lot of plays over the past week, including hauling in a long pass from Tyrod Taylor on Friday night. He has size, the ability to get down the field and make plays, and special teams experience.
failures
Darius Slayton – Every time I bring up the idea that the four-year wide receiver might be in danger of not making the roster, some of you want to hunt me down. Reality is, however, it’s time to start believing your eyes. Slayton worked almost exclusively with the third team during the Fan Fest on Friday, and he really didn’t make any plays that would make the coaching staff want to push him up the depth chart.
He has speed. He has had success in the past. My position at the beginning of training camp was that Slayton had to be a camp standout, he had to force Brian Daboll and Co. So far this has not happened. Johnson, CJ Board, Richie James and even David Sills were better. There is still time and opportunity for Slayton, but he has to do better.
Offensive line depth – Gono was forced to leave the team and the injury to McKethan reduced options for a group where there were already serious question marks.
Quincy Roche – I still feel like Roche makes the team, but both Elerson Smith and Oshane Ximines have made a lot more splash so far. It looks like Roche has to appear in the pre-season games.