Thursday’s third Giants OTA practice in East Rutherford, N.J., will be the first one open to the media.
So it will be the first look at Joe Schoen’s and Brian Daboll’s 90-man roster, or at least most of it.
Here are five of the top developments the Daily News will be monitoring on the field:
The Daniel Jones-Malik Nabers Connection
This duo’s chemistry and production will play a major role in defining the team’s 2024 outlook and success. Jones, the Giants’ projected starter, is practicing and throwing passes in 7-on-7 only six months after having surgery to repair a torn right ACL. So that means he’s getting valuable reps delivering completions to Nabers, 20, the Giants’ No. 6 overall first-round pick from LSU. This isn’t 11-on-11 yet, and they’re not facing a live defense. But all of this work in May is critical, because Jones and Nabers need to be able to hit the ground running when Week 1 arrives in September for this team to have a chance to win games early.
Drew Lock’s Command of the Offense
Lock signed with the Giants because he was told he’d have a chance to compete to be the starting QB. He is technically the backup on the depth chart, but his 11-on-11 reps with the first team this spring could help him build momentum toward a strong case to see the field early in 2024. So it will be noteworthy to watch everything about Lock in the media’s first chance to see him on the field in a Giants uniform since his free agent signing in March. That includes how he throws the ball, including his accuracy and touch, but also his command of the huddle and camaraderie with teammates. Tyrod Taylor, for example, commanded obvious respect in the locker room during his time here as Jones’ backup.
Player Attendance and the Evolving Depth Chart
These OTA practices are optional, but it’s still noteworthy who shows up and who does not. Wide receiver Darius Slayton and tight end Darren Waller, in particular, are players to monitor. Slayton has been away from the team while seeking an adjustment to his contract, while Waller has been pondering retirement. Those are two of the Giants’ most experienced offensive players, so both of their decisions will have consequences on the team. Elsewhere on the depth chart, it will be interesting to see the offensive line’s alignment and rotations in person and to monitor position battles at spots such as outside corner or safety.
Training Staff’s Management of Workloads
The Giants were decimated by injuries early last season coming out of a light offseason and training camp workload that featured a lot of dialed-back periods and veteran rest days. So it will be interesting to see how the Giants’ training staff, Schoen and Daboll are handling players like Jones and right tackle Evan Neal who are coming off surgeries; players like edge Azeez Ojulari who tend to get hurt often; and veterans such as left tackle Andrew Thomas and Bobby Okereke that the Giants want to prioritize having on the field in Week 1.
Brian Daboll’s Play-Calling Involvement
Daboll is expected to be the offensive play-caller this season after yo-yoing it back and forth from offensive coordinator Mike Kafka last year. Daboll was delivering the calls directly into the huddle at rookie minicamp in early May already. So it will reinforce his increased involvement if he is similarly in total control of the huddle and process throughout OTAs with quarterbacks Jones, Lock, Tommy DeVito and Nathan Rourke.
