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Fact or Fiction: Players to watch at training camp

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The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.

Daniel Jones is the offensive player you're most excited to see in training camp.

John Schmeelk: Fiction - I'm not going to see anything from Daniel in training camp that I haven't seen before. I know how he can throw, move, and operate. How he throws and plays when no one can touch him doesn't do much for me at this point. I am excited to see how he looks with this young receiving corps and behind a new offensive line when the regular season begins in Week 1 against the Vikings. Once the pads come on, I want to see how Evan Neal performs in camp. Whether he sticks at right tackle could have cascading effects for the offensive line.

Matt Citak: Fact - Jones has made great progress in his rehab from last year's torn ACL, evidenced by the fact that he took part in the team's offseason program throughout the spring. However, the one thing the sixth-year quarterback did not participate in was 11-on-11 drills. Training camp will be the first time we see Jones on the field for full team drills with his complement of wide receivers, including Malik Nabers, a fully healthy Wan'Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt. How Jones continues to develop chemistry with these pass-catchers will be something to keep an eye on throughout camp.

Brian Burns is the defensive player you're most excited to see in training camp.

John Schmeelk: Fact - I'm very excited to see Deonte Banks line up against Malik Nabers in camp, but perhaps the best individual matchup we will see in camp is between Brian Burns and Andrew Thomas. Both players have already proven they are upper-echelon NFL players and once the pads come on, I'm sure we will see them line up against each other in team and 1-on-1 drills fairly often. I want to see how Burns can rush against a top tier offensive tackle like Thomas. It's good-on-good and I can't wait to see it up-close.

Matt Citak: Fiction - While no contact is allowed in the spring, Burns was dominant during the offseason program, constantly getting in the backfield and forcing the quarterback to get rid of the ball quickly. While it will be good to see him do it with pads on and contact allowed, I'm confident he will continue with his strong play from the spring. The defensive player I'm most excited to see is Deonte Banks. The cornerback shouldered a lot of responsibility as a rookie last year, and is looking at a similar workload in 2024. If Banks can take a step in his development this year, it would go a long way in boosting the defense as a whole.

Take a look at rare photos of New York Giants training camps through the years.

The competition for TE1 should be the most interesting offensive training camp battle.

John Schmeelk: Fact - There are still some questions on the offensive line with where Evan Neal lines up and who the primary back-ups at certain spots are, but they aren't the same fundamental questions we have at the tight end position. We think Daniel Bellinger is the starter, but what roles will he be featured most prominently in? Does Lawrence Cager steal away some of his passing down snaps? Can Theo Johnson get ready quickly and contribute as a rookie? Who will be the blocking TE? How much are the snaps split between multiple people? It's definitely "interesting".

Matt Citak: Fiction - If we're talking just among the starters, then I agree with John that the competition among the tight ends will be the most interesting to watch. But I'm actually more intrigued by the battle for the final wide receiver spots after Malik Nabers, Wan'Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt. Isaiah Hodgins, Allen Robinson, Miles Boykin, Gunner Olszewski, Isaiah McKenzie, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Dennis Houston, Ayir Asante, and John Jiles will compete for two, maybe three spots on the roster. That's a talented group of receivers battling it out to be the Giants' WR5, WR6 and possibly WR7, and it may come down to which players can also contribute on special teams.

The competition for CB2 should be the most interesting defensive training camp battle.

John Schmeelk: Fiction - This will be an interesting battle but I do think Cor'dale Flott is sitting in the driver's seat given how he has played in his first two seasons. The slot cornerback battle is far more interesting given the number of guys that could win that spot. It's truly wide open. The safety competition next to Jason Pinnock is also more interesting given Tyler Nubin is a rookie and Dane Belton has had some moments when given the chance. Could one of those guys be a nickel in certain situations? The battle for the 3-technique spot next to Dexter Lawrence is also wide open, and bears watching.

Matt Citak: Fiction - I can't wait to see the competition among the safeties to see which guys will earn their spots in the starting lineup, but I'm more interested to see who will join Dexter Lawrence on the starting defensive line. Can Boogie Basham, who has primarily lined up on the edge in his first three seasons, find a new role on the interior? Can one of the younger players such as Ryder Anderson, Jordon Riley or D.J. Davidson take a step in their development and earn that spot next to Dex? What about veteran Jordan Phillips, who registered 9.5 sacks in 2019, the last time he stayed healthy for a full season? This competition should be one of the more interesting ones to watch during training camp.

Get excited for the 2024 season with photos from Media Day at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

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