The Giants.com crew discusses which second-year players are the most critical to the Giants' success this season.
John Schmeelk: Salomone and Citak beat me to the punch on this one, but I want to compliment Dan on the question. Fans get very excited about draft picks each year, and sometimes a rookie class can have a huge impact on a team in its first season on the field. But more often than not, it is unwise to rely heavily on rookies to lift a team up on its shoulders. They are young, inexperienced, and have to learn a lot before they can be high-level contributors. It is always the second-, third- and even fourth-year players still on rookie contracts who comprise the core group that can help a team get better through their own individual improvement. It is the Giants' draft classes from 2021-2023 that need to continue to improve and potentially emerge as Pro Bowl players in the hopes of elevating the Giants to greater heights.
I'll go with wide receiver Jalin Hyatt here. He came from a collegiate-style offense where he didn't line up outside much or face press very often. It was always going to take him time to adjust to the NFL and begin to thrive. With the addition of Malik Nabers, who will likely garner a lot of attention once he starts making plays, Hyatt should face single coverage more often. If he can consistently win in those situations, especially over the top, he could be the key to the Giants becoming a more vertical and explosive offense. If the Giants want to improve, they need to score more points. You score points with explosive plays. Hyatt's speed gives them that ability, and if he can make a big jump in his second year, he could play a big role in getting this offense where it needs to be to get into the playoffs.
See all the action from spring practices at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
TE Theo Johnson (47)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
TE Lawrence Cager (83), Steve Smith Sr.
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
WR Allen Robinson II (15)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Steve Smith Sr, WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6), C Jimmy Morrissey (67)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13)
WR Malik Nabers (9)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Darius Slayton (86), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), G Jon Runyan (76),
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
TE Lawrence Cager (83), Steve Smith Sr.
WR Darius Slayton (86), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), G Jon Runyan (76),
P Jamie Gillan (6)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
Steve Smith Sr., K Graham Gano (9)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Boogie Basham (55)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Darius Slayton (86), RB Jashaun Corbin (35)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Steve Smith Sr., K Graham Gano (9)
T Evan Neal (73), G Jon Runyan (76), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Jermaine Eluemunor (72), T Andrew Thomas (78)
OLB Boogie Basham (55)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
T Evan Neal (73), G Jon Runyan (76), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Jermaine Eluemunor (72), T Andrew Thomas (78), RB Devin Singletary (26)
WR Jalin Hyatt (13), TE Lawrence Cager (83), T Andrew Thomas (78)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Steve Smith Sr., K Graham Gano (9)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Deonte Banks (3)
RB Eric Gray (20)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
Shea Tierney Offensive Passing Game Coordinator/QB Coach, QB Daniel Jones (8), Steve Smith Sr.
T Evan Neal (73)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
OLB Brian Burns (0)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
T Evan Neal (73)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93), S Dane Belton (24)
DB Jalen Mills (21)
TE Jack Stoll (89), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
TE Jack Stoll (89), TE Daniel Bellinger (82), TE Chris Manhertz (85), TE Theo Johnson (47)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
T Evan Neal (73)
DL Ryder Anderson (90)
WR Allen Robinson II (15)
S Jason Pinnock (27), OLB Azeez Ojulari (51), OLB Boogie Basham (55), S Gervarrius Owens (39), OLB Tomon Fox (45)
LS Casey Kreiter (59), P Jamie Gillan (6)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (51), OLB Boogie Basham (55), S Gervarrius Owens (39)
LS Casey Kreiter (59), P Jamie Gillan (6)
P Jamie Gillan (6) LS Casey Kreiter (59)
Dan Salomone: My ears always perk up when a general manager brings up something unprompted, especially during a season-ending press conference after a tough year. In his evaluation of the rookie class, Joe Schoen said he would be "surprised" if center John Michael Schmitz isn't a captain down the road. "The intangibles for John Michael are off the charts," Schoen said. "He's got leadership potential."
Let's jump to another memorable offseason quote, this one from team president John Mara. At the NFL Annual Meeting in late March, a reporter brought up that some people say it's "ridiculous" that the offensive line has been a question for the Giants for a decade.
"You're right it's ridiculous, and it's a continuing source of frustration for me," Mara responded. "It's time to get it fixed. We've invested in a couple of No. 1 draft picks on offensive tackles. We have a No. 2 draft pick playing at center, and now we have spent some money in free agency. We have a new offensive line coach. I expect us to be a hell of a lot better this year."
Flanked by Jon Runyan and Jermaine Eluemunor, two guards with 161 games of NFL experience under their belts (including postseason), Schmitz is at the center of the attention and will look to take the next step in Year 2.
"I think the biggest thing for me when times are tough, you really know who a true leader is when you hit adversity, you hit a tough time," Schmitz said. "All the guys look to someone, and I want to be that for our room and take charge."
View photos of the New York Giants' 2024 active roster as it currently stands.
LB Matthew Adams
DL Ryder Anderson
WR Ayir Asante
CB Deonte Banks
OLB Boogie Basham
LB Darrian Beavers
TE Daniel Bellinger
S Dane Belton
WR Miles Boykin
OLB Brian Burns
TE Lawrence Cager
OT Yodny Cajuste
DT Elijah Chatman
RB Jashaun Corbin
LB Carter Coughlin
DL D.J. Davidson
QB Tommy DeVito
OL Jermaine Eluemunor
OL Joshua Ezeudu
CB Cor'Dale Flott
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton
OLB Tomon Fox
K Graham Gano
P Jamie Gillan (6)
RB Eric Gray
CB Tre Hawkins III
DB Kaleb Hayes
CB Tre Herndon
WR Isaiah Hodgins
CB Darnay Holmes
DL Timmy Horne
WR Dennis Houston
WR Jalin Hyatt
TE Tyree Jackson
WR John Jiles
CB Alex Johnson
ILB Dyontae Johnson
T Marcellus Johnson
TE Theo Johnson
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
G Jake Kubas
DL Dexter Lawrence II
QB Drew Lock
CB David Long Jr.
TE Chris Manhertz
G Jalen Mayfield
K Jude McAtamney
CB Nick McCloud
LB Micah McFadden
WR Isaiah McKenzie
OL Marcus McKethan
T Joshua Miles
RB Dante Miller
DB Jalen Mills
C Jimmy Morrissey
LB Darius Muasau
WR Malik Nabers
T Evan Neal
T Matt Nelson
S Tyler Nubin
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches
OLB Ovie Oghoufo
OLB Azeez Ojulari
ILB Bobby Okereke
WR Gunner Olszewski
S Gervarrius Owens
CB Dru Phillips
DL Jordan Phillips
S Jason Pinnock
DB Elijah Riley
DL Jordon Riley
CB Aaron Robinson
WR Allen Robinson II
WR Wan'Dale Robinson
DL Casey Rogers
QB Nathan Rourke
G Jon Runyan Jr.
RB Jacob Saylors
OL Austin Schlottmann
C John Michael Schmitz Jr.
S/LB Isaiah Simmons
RB Devin Singletary
WR Darius Slayton
OL Aaron Stinnie
TE Jack Stoll
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Andrew Thomas
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
OLB Benton Whitley
Matt Citak: Deonte Banks was asked to do more than most rookie cornerbacks. He started 15 games in his first season and spent most of his time covering the opposing team's No. 1 receiver. From A.J. Brown to Terry McLaurin to CeeDee Lamb and several others, Banks was thrown right into the fire against some of the league's best weapons. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound cornerback finished with two interceptions and 11 passes defensed to go with his 64 tackles (53 solo) and two tackles for loss. He also earned a passer rating against of 84.7, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked 24th out of 74 qualified cornerbacks, in addition to allowing a 57.6 completion rate (53 receptions allowed on 92 targets).
Heading into his second season, Banks' development could be the key to the defense. With the addition of Brian Burns to go with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence, the Giants could have one of the league's top pass-rushing defensive lines, as the trio combined for 148 total quarterback pressures last season. This talented defensive front should help put Banks in more favorable positions, even against another tough slate of opposing No. 1 receivers. Banks flashed his athleticism at times throughout last season and again this spring, but in case anyone forgot, he scored an impressive 9.99 RAS at last year's NFL Combine (out of a possible 10.00). This ranked as the third-best score out of 2,212 cornerbacks from 1987 to 2023, showing that Banks has the ideal size and speed you want from an outside corner. The Giants have a young secondary, which includes Cor'Dale Flott, Dru Phillips, Nick McCloud, Jason Pinnock, Dane Belton, and Tyler Nubin, just to name a few. If Banks can take a big step this season, not only would it provide the defensive backfield with a significant boost, but it could also help transform the entire defense.
"It's always a big difference between year one and year two," coach Brian Daboll said about Banks during the first week of OTAs. "Obviously he's done it for a whole year in terms of how we do things here, learning some new things of what we're putting in defensively, but he has the right mindset, he's working extremely hard and trying to do as good as he can do."
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2024 cycle.
RB Jacob Saylors - Free Agent Signing (June 18)
WR Chase Cota - Reserve/Injured (June 18)
CB Tre Herndon - Free Agent Signing (June 12)
TE Darren Waller - Reserve/Retired (June 10)
S Tyler Nubin - Selection List Signing (May 31)
DB Elijah Riley - Free Agent Signing (May 30)
RB Gary Brightwell - Waived, Injured (May 30)
TE Theo Johnson - Selection List Signing (May 22)
LB Darius Muasau - Selection List Signing (May 15)
CB Dru Phillips - Selection List Signing (May 14)
DL Elijah Chatman - Free Agent Signing (May 13)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Waived (May 13)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. - Selection List Signing (May 10)
WR Malik Nabers - Selection List Signing (May 10)
K Jude McAtamney - Free Agent Signing: Exempt/International Player (May 10)
WR Ayir Asante, WR John Jiles, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, G Jake Kubas, DE Ovie Oghoufo, DL Casey Rogers - Free Agent Signing (May 10)
RB Deon Jackson - Waived, Injured (May 10)
WR Allen Robinson - Free Agent Signing (May 9)
QB Nathan Rourke - Claimed off waivers from New England (May 7)
DB David Long - Free Agent Signing (May 1)
Giants select LB Darius Muasau with No. 183 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. with No. 166 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select TE Theo Johnson with No. 107 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select CB Dru Phillips with No. 70 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select S Tyler Nubin with No. 47 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select WR Malik Nabers with No. 6 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
DB Nick McCloud - Restricted Free Agent Signing (April 15)
LB Matthew Adams - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 12)
DL Jordan Phillips - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 11)
WR Miles Boykin - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 9)
S/LB Isaiah Simmons - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 5)
RB Dante Miller - Free Agent Signing (April 5)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Free Agent Signing (March 24)
CB Darnay Holmes - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 22)
OT Matt Nelson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 22)
OL Austin Schlottmann - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
OL Aaron Stinnie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
TE Chris Manhertz - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
TE Jack Stoll - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 15)
OL Jon Runyan - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
OL Jermaine Eluemunor - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
RB Devin Singletary - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
QB Drew Lock - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
DB Jalen Mills - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
WR/PR Gunner Olszewski - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
LB Carter Coughlin - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
OLB Brian Burns - Acquired via trade with Carolina Panthers (March 13)
LB Benton Whitley - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 12)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 12)
G Mark Glowinski - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 4)
C Jimmy Morrissey - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
WR Chase Cota - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
LB Tomon Fox - Reserve/Future Signing (January 10)
DL Ryder Anderson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
DB Kaleb Hayes - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
WR Dennis Houston - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
RB Deon Jackson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
ILB Dyontae Johnson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
G Jalen Mayfield - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OT Joshua Miles - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
