Big Blue View
Before heading to West Virginia later this month, one of the most unsettled positions groups for the New York Giants is wide receiver. The primary concern is the health of Malik Nabers and despite head coach John Harbaugh being optimistic that Nabers will participate in training camp, the extent of his availability and whether the third year pro can quickly regain his elite form remain uncertain.
Beyond Nabers, the Giants have cast a wide net for a receiver to challenge Darius Slayton, who has missed practice this year himself after offseason surgery, to be the No. 2 receiver. The team signed in the offseason JuJu Smith-Schuster, Braxton Berrios and Darnell Mooney, followed by trading up to draft Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields in the third round of this year’s draft.
And then there is Odell Beckham Jr. At 33, Beckham is no longer the explosive playmaker who once starred for the Giants, but he could still earn a roster spot through his veteran experience, dependable route running, and leadership. Training camp will determine whether he can still make meaningful contributions.
Somewhere between inconsistency and fleeting confidence, Tae Banks lost his way. Maybe it was attitude, a lack of conviction in his technique or a coaching failure within a defensive system that did not fit his talents as someone who lived and died in press man coverage.
Banks was ultimately benched in Years 2 and 3, dogged by criticism of his work ethic and an apparent refusal to engage in the run game, leading to glaring mistakes when breaking down the tape. The Giants declined his fifth-year option – there really was no other choice – so Banks’ rookie contract is set to expire at the end of the 2026 campaign. Harbaugh has not pulled any punches when talking about Banks, saying he has not played well and, “he knows that.”
New York Giants: Dennard Wilson. Who replaces Dexter Lawrence on the interior? Wilson inherits two talented edge rushers in Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeau, but he has a gaping hole in the middle of his defense following New York’s trading of Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this offseason. The Giants surrendered an NFC-worst 145.3 rushing yards per game. So they’re hoping the offseason additions of DJ Reader, Shelby Harris and ascending Darius Alexander can team up to help fortify the heart of their defensive front. But this could be a work in progress.
7. New York Giants. The New York Giants possessed two top-10 picks and landed instant starters in linebacker Arvell Reese and guard Francis Mauigoa. Nitpickers may...
