*The Giants report for the start of their offseason workout program on April 18: *
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants report for the offseason workout program on April 18.
WR BRANDON MARSHALLThe Marshall signing was one the biggest moves in the NFL this offseason, and the six-time Pro Bowler will team with Odell Beckham Jr. to create one of the most dynamic position groups in the league.
OL D.J. FLUKERThe 11th overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft by San Diego, Fluker signed last month to bring skill, experience, versatility and competition to the offensive line.
SAFETY DARIAN THOMPSONThompson impressed coaches last spring, but injuries cut his rookie season short. He'll look to get back on track this year and compete for a spot opposite All-Pro safety Landon Collins.
RB PAUL PERKINSThe Giants parted ways with Rashad Jennings, paving the way for a bigger workload from Perkins in his second season.
LB B.J. GOODSONAs a rookie fourth-round draft choice, Goodson was a vital special teamer but didn't see much time on defense. That could change in 2017.
One week from today, the New York Giants report to the Quest Diagnostics Training Center for the start of their offseason workout program.
It's the beginning of a nine-week stretch that culminates in 10 organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp, which will be the first time the 2017 team hits the practice field for live drills. The Giants will then break until opening training camp at the end of July. In the meantime, a new crop of rookies will be added, most notably through the upcoming draft at the end of the month.
It's a busy time in football with plenty of questions to be answered in the coming weeks and months. Here we look at the top ones facing the Giants this spring:
WHAT DOES THE O-LINE LOOK LIKE?
From left to right, the combination of Ereck Flowers, Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg, John Jerry, and Bobby Hart started the majority of games for the Giants in 2016. Jerry re-signed with the Giants last month, but Marshall Newhouse, who started 21 games in two seasons with the team (six last year), went to Oakland as a free agent. Eighteen of Newhouse's starts came at right tackle, and the other three were at left guard while filling in for an injured Pugh.
In the meantime, the Giants added D.J. Fluker, originally the 11th overall selection of the 2013 NFL Draft by San Diego. The 6-foot-5, 339-pound Alabama product started in all 59 games played with the Chargers, including 28 in a row at right guard. Before that, he played 28 at right tackle with three at left tackle in between. By no means will it be final, but we'll get the first glimpse of the lineup when OTAs roll around.
WHO WILL TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Landon Collins put together a breakout sophomore campaign for the Giants' history books last year, garnering first-team All-Pro honors and inserting himself in the conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. It will be tough to repeat that kind of success, but there are a handful of second-year candidates who will take on larger roles starting this spring. Following the release of Rashad Jennings, running back Paul Perkins will adjust to being a feature back. Safety Darian Thompson, who lost much of his promising rookie season to injury, will try to get back on track and compete for a spot opposite Collins. Meanwhile, linebacker B.J. Goodson is in line to build off his first year as a core special teamer.
WHERE WILL THE GIANTS GO IN THE DRAFT?
With the exception of defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, who remains unsigned, the bulk of free agency has come and gone for the Giants. The attention is now on the draft, which kicks off April 27 in Philadelphia. The Giants hold seven picks, one in each round beginning with the 23rd overall selection. Last year, the team took cornerback Eli Apple in the first round, and the Ohio State product helped the Giants dramatically improve on defense. Will they keep "building the bully" on that side of the ball, or will the Giants look to bolster an offense that dipped to 25th in yards and 26th in scoring last year. One thing is for sure, though: Reese won't tip his hand during his pre-draft press conference on April 20.
Dates to keep in mind:
First Day of Offseason Workout Program: April 18
NFL Draft: April 27-29
OTA Offseason Workouts: May 22-23, May 25, May 30-31, June 2, June 5-6, June 8-9
Mandatory Minicamp: June 13-15
NFL.com names the top 50 prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft.
- Adam Shaheen - TE, Ashland
- Jordan Willis - DE, Kansas State
- Teez Tabor - CB, Florida
- Marcus Williams - S, Utah
- Zay Jones - WR, East Carolina
- Obi Melifonwu - S, Connecticut
- Marlon Humphrey - CB, Alabama
- Kevin King - CB, Washington
- Tim Williams - LB, Alabama
- Josh Jones - S, N.C. State
- Curtis Samuel - RB, Ohio State
- Chidobe Awuzie - CB, Colorado
- Evan Engram - TE, Ole Miss
- Tyus Bowser - LB, Houston
- T.J. Watt - LB, Wisconsin
- Cam Robinson - OT, Alabama
- DeShone Kizer - QB, Notre Dame
- Adoree' Jackson - CB, USC
- Mitchell Trubisky - QB, North Carolina
- Jabrill Peppers - S, Michigan
- Budda Baker - S, Washington
- Quincy Wilson - CB, Florida
- Deshaun Watson - QB, Clemson
- Ryan Ramczyk - OT, Wisconsin
- Alvin Kamara - RB, Tennessee
- Garett Bolles - OT, Utah
- Taco Charlton - DE, Michigan
- John Ross - WR, Washington
- Takkarist McKinley - DE, UCLA
- Jarrad Davis - LB, Florida
- Charles Harris - DE, Missouri
- Haason Reddick - LB, Temple
- Tre'Davious White - CB, LSU
- Gareon Conley - CB, Ohio State
- Forrest Lamp - G, Western Kentucky
- Dalvin Cook - RB, Florida State
- Christian McCaffrey - RB, Stanford
- Derek Barnett - DE, Tennessee
- David Njoku - TE, Miami
- Mike Williams - WR, Clemson
- Corey Davis - WR, Western Michigan
- Reuben Foster - LB, Alabama
- O.J. Howard - TE, Alabama
- Marshon Lattimore - CB, Ohio State
- Jonathan Allen - DT, Alabama
- Solomon Thomas - DE, Stanford
- Leonard Fournette - RB, LSU
- Malik Hooker - S, Ohio State
- Jamal Adams - S, LSU
- Myles Garrett - DE, Texas A&M
