The New York Giants open up training camp on July 23rd, finally returning to the practice field as they prepare for what will be a crucial 2024 campaign. With so many roster spots up for grabs, it’s sure to be an intense camp this summer.
Players will compete for spots on the roster as well as placements on the depth chart throughout training camp and preseason. Three key position battles bring a heightened level of intrigue to this year’s camp in New Jersey.
The Giants’ second starting cornerback spot is wide open for the taking
Cor’Dale Flott is the projected No. 2 starting cornerback for Big Blue this season. Head coach Brian Daboll has expressed his confidence in the third-year corner as he hopes to see him ascend into the starting role on the boundary. To this point, Flott has played primarily as a nickel cornerback, but that is expected to change this season.
While Flott might be the expected starter, he has no firm grasp on the position just yet. Having never made a start on the boundary before, there will be opportunities for other players on the roster to compete for the starting job.
Tre Hawkins III will contend for the position after winning it during training camp last summer. A sixth-round pick last offseason, Hawkins made a quick impression as he earned the starting job in Week 1. He struggled to maintain his level of play, however, and was taken out of the starting lineup early in the regular season. Perhaps he will come back with a vengeance this summer, reclaim his starting job, and maintain it during the upcoming campaign.
Nick McCloud is entering his third season with the Giants and fourth in the NFL, making him the most experienced contender for the starting job. McCloud got a chance to start outside during the final two weeks of the 2023 regular season and looked impressive. However, his strong closeout to the season was not enough to win the job. If he can continue to play at such a high level, though, maybe McCloud can win the job back during training camp.
Which wide receiver will make the cut?
The Giants’ first four wide receivers on the depth chart are likely locked in. Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Jalin Hyatt are untouchable and should all play a large role in the offense this season. Isaiah Hodgins will likely be the next man up behind them. But contending for that likely sixth and final wide receiver spot on the roster is a trio of intriguing talents who bring differing skillsets and experience levels to the table.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton seemed like an uncovered gem when the Giants signed him as an undrafted free agent last summer. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound wideout out of West Virginia boasts a 4.38s 40-yard dash time and a perfect 10.0 relative athletic score (RAS). Ford-Wheaton generated plenty of excitement last summer, however, his rookie season was cut to a close before it even began after he suffered a torn ACL during the preseason. If he can continue to flash that elite athleticism while returning from injury this summer, Ford-Wheaton could steal a roster spot.
Allen Robinson is the seasoned veteran of the group, fighting on the fringe of the roster. Robinson is a former Pro Bowler who has racked up 1,000+ receiving yards in a single season three times in his career. Now entering his 11th season in the league, Robinson is not what he used to be, but is still a reliable and experienced weapon. That experience could win him a spot on the final 53.
Isaiah McKenzie is also a veteran wide receiver who could have an edge over the other contenders for a roster spot due to his experience on special teams. “Lil Dirty” is both an experienced receiver and an experienced return specialist — a position more highly valued this season thanks to the change in format brought about by the NFL’s competition and rules committee.
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Two youngsters are competing for the Giants’ RB2 spot
Devin Singletary will be taking over as the Giants’ lead back this season after signing with the team in free agency. He will have big shoes to fill following the departure of Saquon Barkley, but thankfully, Singletary should have some help.
The Giants are expected to implement a running back-by-committee system this season. Singletary will be the lead back, but who will get the second bulk of the carries is in question.
Rookie fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy Jr. is an exciting option to become the Giants’ RB2 this year. The former wide receiver converted running back is a bowling ball with the rock in his hands who provides plenty of upside as a receiver out of the backfield. Tracy Jr. brings a different style to the backfield and could be an excellent change-of-pace back behind Singletary.
But in order for Tracy Jr. to win that spot on the depth chart, he will need to keep second-year running back Eric Gray at bay. The Giants drafted Gray in the fifth round last offseason, just as they did Tracy Jr. this offseason. Gray received minimal playing time on offense as a rookie, but spent plenty of time on special teams and could aim to take a step forward in his second season.
The Giants’ roster is far from set in stone. Plenty of changes will be made between now and the start of the regular season in September. But training camp will give the coaching staff and front office a good look at the strengths and weaknesses of the roster and the depth chart, allowing them to adjust and plan accordingly ahead for the season.
