The third and final phase of the offseason workout program is underway.
Following last week's rookie minicamp, the New York Giants held their first of 10 organized team practice activities (OTAs) on Monday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. No live contact is permitted during this phase, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills are allowed. Monday was the first time the rookies were thrown in with the vets, providing the most comprehensive look at the team to date.
Here are the highlights from OTA No. 1:
TOUCHDOWNS
*Saquon Barkley, who has eight career receiving touchdowns to 19 on the ground, caught two touchdowns from close range today. The Giants spent most of their time inside the 10-yard line during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills as coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who came from offensive powerhouses in Buffalo and Kansas City, install the new scheme.
"Obviously, you start smiling when you see plays work out there and you see how they work in the film room or when you're going over the playbook," Barkley said last month at voluntary minicamp. "You've got to just focus on the little things, getting better every single day. When those opportunities come, make sure we stay healthy enough and we capitalize on the plays that we can make."
*Robert Foster, a former five-star prospect and the No. 1 wide receiver prospect coming out of high school, showed his vertical with a leaping touchdown catch on a pass from Davis Webb. The 6-foot-2 receiver spent his first two NFL seasons (2018 and 2019) in Buffalo, arriving as an undrafted rookie the same year Daboll took over the offense.
*Daniel Jones and Darius Slayton, two members of the Giants' 2019 draft class, teamed up for two touchdowns on Monday. Jones also threw one to Barkley.
*A trio of rookies got on the board. Wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (second round), tight end Daniel Bellinger (fourth round) and running back Jashaun Corbin (undrafted) caught touchdowns from Webb from inside the five. Originally a third-round draft choice by the Giants in 2017, Webb begins his second stint with the team after two seasons with the Bills. On Saturday, Daboll took note of Corbin, saying that he is "athletic, got some quick twitch." Daboll added that he "kind of stood out a little bit" at rookie minicamp.
*Quarterback Tyrod Taylor showed his speed with a short touchdown run, tapping the front-left pylon with the football. The veteran has 19 career rushing touchdowns (in addition to 59 through the air), including three last season with Houston.
TAKEAWAYS
*Rookie safety Yusuf Corker made the lone interception of the day. He played in 50 career games with 37 consecutive starts at the University of Kentucky and was invited to the Senior Bowl. He did not, however, get drafted.
"I think that happens every year, where this guy should've got drafted in the fourth or seventh or sixth, he's a free agent or this guy should have been a seventh, and he was a second-round pick," Daboll said recently when asked about Corker. "We'll see. He's a good kid. I think he's got a good skillset. Put him back there, see how he does."
OTHER TOP PLAYS
*Defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence kicked off 11-on-11 drills with a batted pass at the line of scrimmage. He tipped the ball up to himself multiple times, but the 6-foot-4, 342-pounder couldn't secure it for the interception. Speaking of picks, the Giants last month picked up the fifth-year option on Lawrence, originally the 17th overall draft choice in 2019, as he learns Wink Martindale's defense this offseason.
"I trust the coaches to put us all in great positions to be dominant [and] to win," Lawrence said a few weeks ago at minicamp.
Get your first look at the newest Giants as they hit the practice field at rookie minicamp.