The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.
Based on what you saw and heard at OTAs, the defensive front will be the strength of the Giants this season.
John Schmeelk: Fact - This was my prior opinion heading into the offseason program, I don't think there was anything I could see in unpadded practices or hear at the podium that would change my mind. The Giants have more resources dedicated to the defensive front than any other position and it isn't particularly close. Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns are both top players at their positions and are compensated that way. Kayvon Thibodeaux was the 5th overall pick in the draft and had 11.5 sacks last season. Azeez Ojulari was a second-round pick with first-round ability. There's a lot of talent on the defensive front and I would expect that group to be the most consistently effective for the team this season.
Matt Citak: Fact – Combine the acquisition of Brian Burns with the emergence of Dexter Lawrence as one of the league's best defensive players and Kayvon Thibodeaux's strong 2023 campaign, and this one is easy. Not only should the defensive front be the biggest strength of the Giants this season, but I expect the unit to be among the best in the NFL, both in 2024 and beyond. If all three of those players can stay healthy, it wouldn't surprise me to see at least two of them reach the double-digit sack mark this year. And I didn't even mention guys like Azeez Ojulari, Boogie Basham and Jordan Phillips serving as complimentary pass rushers. Add it all up and the defensive front's potential is through the roof.
The offensive line is the most improved position group on offense.
John Schmeelk: Fact - This is close between the offensive line and receiving corps. The Giants added Malik Nabers at wide receiver, who has the talent to become the top player at the position. I would also expect natural improvement from the younger players there like Wan'Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt. I am still going to go with the offensive line. They have a new coach in Carmen Bricillo, two new starters with solid track records in Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemenor, a healthier Andrew Thomas and potential improvement from Evan Neal and John Michael Schmitz. I think the wide receiver group has a higher ceiling, especially long term, but I'll take the offensive line for immediate improvement.
Matt Citak: Fiction – I expect the offensive line to make a stark improvement following the additions of Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor, among others, over the last few months. However, I'm going with the wide receiver group here. Malik Nabers is a game-changer that adds a dynamic to the offense that the team hasn't seen in years. The rookie wide receiver should immediately step in as the top option whenever the offense has the ball. The group also features a healthy Wan'Dale Robinson, who improved throughout last year and is finally going through his first normal offseason since joining the team. Jalin Hyatt heading into his second NFL season should see more playing time and targets, while Darius Slayton continues to display great consistency. The wide receiver group should produce a lot more in 2024.
View all of the top photos from the Quest Diagnostics Training Center as OTAs come to a close.
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28), CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Malik Nabers (9), QB Daniel Jones (8)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
CB Deonte Banks (3), S Jason Pinnock (27)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
S Jason Pinnock (27), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Allen Robinson II (15)
ILB Darius Muasau (53)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
G Aaron Stinnie (64), OL Jermaine Eluemunor (72)
DL Ryder Anderson (90)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
OLB Boogie Basham (55)
WR Malik Nabers (9), QB Daniel Jones (8)
K Jude McAtamney (99)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
QB Drew Lock (2)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
RB Jashaun Corbin (35)
CB Dru Phillips (22)
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, QB Daniel Jones (8)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Isaiah McKenzie (87)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Chase Cota (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
DB Jalen Mills (21)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), QB Daniel Jones (8), T Andrew Thomas (78)
CB David Long Jr. (20)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
QB Tommy DeVito (15)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
RB Jashaun Corbin (35)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
DB Jalen Mills (21), S Tyler Nubin (31)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
RB Devin Singletary (26)
WR Allen Robinson II (15)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
DB Jalen Mills (21)
T Evan Neal (73)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
RB Eric Gray (20)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
TE Lawrence Cager (83), Steve Smith Sr.
QB Nathan Rourke (3)
CB Deonte Banks (3), CB Dru Phillips (22)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
ILB Micah McFadden (41)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
S Tyler Nubin (31)
ILB Darius Muasau (52)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13), QB Tommy DeVito (15)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13), WR Malik Nabers (9), QB Tommy DeVito (15)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Malik Nabers (9), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Steve Smith Sr., WR Malik Nabers (9)
Steve Smith Sr., WR Malik Nabers (9)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), Steve Smith Sr.
WR Darius Slayton (86)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Malik Nabers (9), WR Jalin Hyatt (13), OL Jermaine Eluemunor (72), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
TE Jack Stoll (89)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
RB Devin Singletary (26), WR Malik Nabers (9)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
RB Dante Miller (25)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Dane Belton (24)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
WR Malik Nabers (9), CB Deonte Banks (3)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29)
DB Kaleb Hayes (38)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
QB Drew Lock (2)
RB Eric Gray (20)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
RB Dante Miller (25)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
RB Dante Miller (25)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
Shane Bowen Defensive Coordinator
S Jason Pinnock (27)
RB Eric Gray (20)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
LS Casey Kreiter (59), P Jamie Gillan (6)
DB Jalen Mills (21)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DL Ryder Anderson (90)
during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
WR Malik Nabers (9) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Dyontae Johnson (54), Bobby Okereke (54), and Carter Coughlin (52) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll and Shane Bowen talk during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants players huddle during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Boogie Basham (55) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Ryder Andrerson (90) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (3) shakes hands with Daniel Jones (8) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Burns during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
TE Tyree Jackson (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
QB Drew Lock (2)
OLB Boogie Basham (55)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19), DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
K Graham Gano (9)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons (19)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
Steve Smith talks with New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (89 and Jaylin Hyatt (13) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Boogie Basham (55)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
Steve Smith Sr., K Graham Gano (9)
WR Darius Slayton (86), RB Jashaun Corbin (35)
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) and running back Devin Singletary (26) before a OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (9) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
P Jamie Gillan (6)
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Boogie Basham (55)
Brian Daboll during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants guard Jermaine Eluemunor (72) and guard Jon Runyan (76) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8)during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Brian Daboll during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants offensive line huddles during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Steve Smith talks with New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (89 and Jaylin Hyatt (13) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Steve Smith talks with New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (89 and Jaylin Hyatt (13) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (9) )during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Steve Smith talks with New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (89 and Jaylin Hyatt (13) during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
The New York Giants offense huddles during an OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics training center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
DB Kaleb Hayes (38), DB Elijah Riley (34)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
RB Eric Gray (20)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
DL Ryder Anderson (90)
CB Deonte Banks (3), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
DT Casey Rogers (91)
WR Allen Robinson II (15)
OLB Boogie Basham (55)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
DL Ryder Anderson (90)
RB Dante Miller (25)
WR Allen Robinson II (15)
The secondary is the most improved area on defense.
John Schmeelk: Fiction - I'm going to go with the defensive front. The addition of Brian Burns should push that group to a new level of disruption and consistency. The secondary is depending on a lot of young players to help, but Burns has a proven track record and potential of dominance that will override anything at other positions.
Matt Citak: Fiction – Based on my first answer, it should not come as a surprise that I'm going with the defensive front here. Burns, Lawrence and Thibodeaux combined for 148 total pressures last season, and all three will enter the 2024 campaign below the age of 27. They will each benefit from the presence of the others, as it will be difficult for opponents to double team more than one of these guys at a time, leaving the others in one-on-one situations. I think Jordan Phillips was also an underrated signing, as the defensive lineman picked up 9.5 sacks in his last fully healthy season back in 2019. After the defense finished tied for 28th in the league with 34 total sacks last year, I believe that number will rise drastically in 2024.
The player who gained the most this spring is cornerback Cor'Dale Flott.
John Schmeelk: Fiction - Flott is being slotted in as the starting outside cornerback, but I think the coaches felt good about putting him in that spot based on what he did in his first two seasons. Simply based on how much they have probably learned and improved, I would slide Tyler Nubin and Andru Phillips into this conversation. Both players have gained invaluable experience and showed the coaches the type of players they are.
Matt Citak: Fiction – I have to go with Daniel Jones for this one. Less than seven months after tearing his ACL in the Week 9 matchup against the Raiders, Jones has been back on the field participating in some team drills throughout the spring. The fact that he's been able to take part in any team drills at this point is impressive alone, but the veteran quarterback has also looked good while out there. He's running and moving around, displaying the same athleticism we've seen from him since joining the team in 2019, while connecting on some strong throws. We'll have to wait and see, but it appears as if Jones is on track to being cleared in time for the start of training camp. This would benefit the entire offense as the unit heads into Year 3 in Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka's system.
View photos of the New York Giants' 2024 active roster as it currently stands.
ILB Matthew Adams
CB Deonte Banks
TE Daniel Bellinger
S Dane Belton
QB Tim Boyle
OLB Brian Burns
DL Elijah Chatman
QB Tommy DeVito
TE Greg Dulcich
DT Cory Durden
OT Jermaine Eluemunor
OL Joshua Ezeudu
CB Cor'Dale Flott
OLB Tomon Fox
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton
K Graham Gano
DL Elijah Garcia
P Jamie Gillan (6)
RB Eric Gray
CB Art Green
OT Chris Hubbard
WR Jalin Hyatt
CB Adoree' Jackson
S Anthony Johnson Jr.
ILB Dyontae Johnson
LS Casey Kreiter
G Jake Kubas
QB Drew Lock
TE Chris Manhertz
LB Micah McFadden
RB Dante Miller
ILB Darius Muasau
WR Malik Nabers
T Evan Neal
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches
CB Dru Phillips
S Jason Pinnock
DL Jordon Riley
WR Wan'Dale Robinson
C Austin Schlottmann
C John Michael Schmitz Jr.
S/LB Isaiah Simmons
RB Devin Singletary
WR Darius Slayton
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
G Aaron Stinnie
CB Greg Stroman
LB Ty Summers
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
RB Tyrone Tracy
G Greg Van Roten
DB Dee Williams
CB Divaad Wilson
