5 questions Giants must answer during 2024 NFL training camp

NFL training camp gets underway this week for the Giants. Let’s review some of the main things they’ll be seeking to evaluate...

Can Evan Neal make the most of his last chance?

After a disappointing second season that ended early due to injury, the right tackle remains atop the depth chart … for now. New York was widely expected to move on from Neal after a difficult second season which saw the youngster make controversial comments toward his critics. However, he’s been working as the starting right tackle during the offseason program and looks set to get another chance to prove himself.

Although the Giants signed free agent Jermaine Eluemunor, who has been a solid starting tackle for the Raiders over the past few seasons, he’s been playing left guard. The Giants also opted not to draft a tackle in April, further signaling that they should out hope that Neal can turn it around.

At only 23, the former seventh overall pick has so far failed to live up to his potential. But he's still young enough that he has a chance to make good progress now that the Giants have bolstered the talent and depth elsewhere on the line. They have other options if he struggles with his consistency again, though.

Will Cor'Dale Flott secure a starting role?

After a solid rookie season, Deonte Banks enters 2024 as the clear No. 1 cornerback. However, veteran Adoree’ Jackson’s departure created an opportunity for someone to step up as the other starting cornerback.

In the offseason program, it’s been Flott who has been handed that opportunity and looks set to hold onto it unless he gets hurt -- or the Giants bring in someone more established. Flott wasn’t a good fit on the outside in Wink Martindale’s physical system, so New York moved him into the slot, but he should fit better on the boundary now that Shane Bowen is in charge.

Flott’s competition includes Tre Hawkins III, who was a rookie starter last year before falling out of favor, and Nick McCloud, whom the team seems to prefer in a versatile utility role. The team also added rookie Dru Phillips and veteran Tre Herndon, but they both seem more likely to compete for a role in the slot.

Who will step up at tight end?

One of the worst-kept secrets of the offseason was that tight end Darren Waller was going to retire. The tight end, who was expected to be one of Daniel Jones’ top targets last season, confirmed that decision last month after a disappointing year with the Giants.

Waller caught 52 passes in 12 games, but only scored one touchdown and averaged fewer than 11 yards per catch. Ideally, New York would like more production from the position, but they didn’t really invest any significant resources into the position during the offseason.

Daniel Bellinger saw a lot of playing time in 2023 but only had 25 catches and no touchdowns, while free agents Jack Stoll and Chris Manhertz have plenty of experience but fewer than 50 catches between them in their respective careers. Lawrence Cager and Tyree Jackson, each of whom recently converted to the tight end position, are long shots.

The team may therefore be hoping that fourth-round pick Theo Johnson can step up. The former Penn State product was the fifth tight end selected in April and ran the second-fastest time of all tight ends in the 40-yard dash at the combine.

Are there enough playmakers to make up for the loss of Saquon Barkley?

With the running back joining Big Blue’s NFC East rivals in Philadelphia, they’ll need to find some new playmakers to pick up the slack. Barkley racked up over 7,000 yards from scrimmage in six years with the Giants, scoring 47 touchdowns.

Barkley’s replacement will be free agent Devin Singletary, who has been a consistently productive back throughout his career but doesn’t represent the same kind of constant big-play threat.

The Giants may therefore be looking to open up their passing game, with sixth overall pick Malik Nabers relied upon to hit the ground running in his rookie season. The Giants would also love for recent high picks Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson to take their game to the next level. Veterans Isaiah Hodgins and Darius Slayton have typically produced when given opportunities, but are considered to lack the upside to be difference-makers.

Will Drew Lock be given a chance to compete for the starting role?

There’s a lot of pressure on Daniel Jones, as he returns to the starting lineup after a nightmare 2023 season. Jones was unable to elevate the Giants as they lost five out of the first six games to drop out of contention early in the season. His season then ended prematurely when he suffered a torn ACL in November.

In addition to rehabbing the injury, Jones is battling skepticism from fans and media as he enters the second year of the four-year, $160 million contract he earned after guiding the team to the second round of the 2022 playoffs.

The Giants opted not to draft a new quarterback of the future, but they hedged their bets by bringing in Lock, a former first-rounder. If Jones struggles to make an impact with the new-look offense or is still affected by last year’s knee injury, will Lock get a serious chance to compete? 

If the Giants do decide to move on from Jones, they'll have a chance to do so at the end of the season without the salary cap being left in disrepair. The question is how soon they would consider starting to phase him out.