The New York Giants begin Phase 3 of the offseason workout program on Tuesday and open with their first of 10 practices of organized team activities (OTAs).
Per the NFL:
Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program. Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or “OTAs”. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.
The Giants’ full list of OTA dates are as follows:
- May 27-28
- May 30
- June 2-3
- June 5
- June 9-10
- June 12-13
The Giants will allow media access during three of those 10 practices, including May 28, June 5, and June 12. However, the team will also offer unique coverage of each practice through their various online properties and social media channels.
Here are nine things to watch throughout OTAs:
Walking wounded
The Giants will see the return of several injured players during OTAs, including linebacker Bobby Okereke (back), safety Tyler Nubin (ankle), left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot), guard Jon Runyan Jr. (ankle), and tight end Theo Johnson (lis franc).
All five saw their season end early in 2024 due to injuries.
Meanwhile, linebacker Dyontae Johnson, who missed a large chunk of last season due to injury, is also expected to take the field.
How these players are recovering is of significant importance to the Giants.
Evan Neal, guard
The Giants hinted that Evan Neal would shift inside to guard and that’s exactly what’s happening this offseason. For fans (and media), this will be the first opportunity to see the former first-round pick at his new position. It will also be the first time he takes snaps at guard in an 11-on-11 situation.
Neal is entering the final year of his rookie contract and this will be the last chance he has to endear himself to the Giants’ current regime. He’ll compete for a starting job but is unlikely to beat out Greg Van Roten and rookie Marcus Mbow on the right side.
Abdul Carter’s position
During rookie mini-camp, Abdul Carter took most of his snaps at outside linebacker. That’s precisely where the Giants said he would begin his NFL career but given the presence of Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, might the team tap into his versatility and move him around?
Maybe they don’t want to overwhelm Carter early, but it will be interesting to see if he takes reps at off-ball linebacker and with his hand in the dirt.
Also, will the Giants include Carter in a NASCAR-like package?
Offensive play-calling
Who will have the playsheet and who will have the radio? That’s the million-dollar question.
Throughout rookie mini-camp and much of the offseason workout program, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka appeared to be calling the plays. Still, head coach Brian Daboll, who handled those duties in 2024, is reluctant to make anything official until the preseason.
Co-owner John Mara has hinted he’d like to see Daboll relinquish play-calling duties but stopped short of saying he’d demand it.
OTAs could provide another look into the Giants’ thinking.
The quarterbacks
All eyes will be on the Giants’ four quarterbacks: Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart, and Tommy DeVito.
Wilson has been named the starter and OTAs will mark his first opportunity to practice against the defense in an 11-on-11 situation. Has he developed a rapport with his new receivers? Will he lean into downfield throws? How explosive can he and Malik Nabers be?
Perhaps even more than Wilson, it will be interesting to see how Winston handled the reserve/mentorship role and how DeVito responds to the added pressure. His job is on the line but he’s also more familiar with the team’s offense than any of the three other quarterbacks.
DeVito will not go down without a fight.
Jaxson Dart
Then there’s rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart…
Dart impressed during rookie mini-camp, but that was in a much more controlled environment. While OTAs won’t result in live-fire play, Dart will face more aggressive defensive pressure and coverages. He’ll also be throwing against veterans who have a much higher football IQ than the rookies he previously toasted.
Watching Dart, the presumed long-term answer at quarterback, develop will be the highlight for most (if not all) Giants fans.
Revamped secondary
General manager Joe Schoen made a few big splash signing in free agency, adding cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland.
What impact will those two veterans have on the otherwise young unit?
Adebo is expected to serve as CB1, pushing third-year cornerback Deonte Banks down the depth chart a bit. How will he react to the “demotion” and can he rebound after an ugly sophomore slump?
Meanwhile, how will Holland pair with Tyler Nubin and Dane Belton? And which remaining safety has the inside track to the fourth and final job?
The secondary was a significant concern for the Giants a season ago but the addition of Adebo and Holland should strengthen the unit considerably.
Defensive rotations
In addition to Abdul Carter and his role, the Giants will need to sort out their rotations at linebacker and along the defensive line.
They are expected to carve out a notable and versatile role for Chauncey Golston, who signed as a free agent in March, so where does he fit in? Will he play primarily along the defensive line or split snaps at linebacker? And if so, where does he fit into the rotation with Burns, Thibodeaux, and Carter?
The Giants also signed Jeremiah Ledbetter and Roy Robertson-Harris before drafting Darius Alexander this offseason, so how does the D-line rotation shake out with Rakeem Nunez-Roches also present?
Dexter Lawrence is the obvious starter at nose tackle, but who serves as his backup? Does Alexander get a shot or do D.J. Davidson and Jordon Riley have the inside track on the backup job?
There’s a lot to be sorted out here.
Other rookies/undrafted free agents
Every year there is an undrafted rookie free agent who bursts onto the season and makes a 53-man roster. Some even go on to become superstars (see: Victor Cruz).
The Giants brought in a sizable undrafted free agent crop highlighted by wide receiver Da’Quan Felton and safety Makari Paige. Do they rise to the top? And if not, which of the other UDFAs does?
Then, of course, there is the remainder of the Giants’ 2025 NFL draft class, including running back Cam Skattebo, who everyone is excited to watch. How he fits into the running back rotation may be among the underrated offseason storylines.
#watch #OTAs