Giants OTAs: Daniel Jones has no doubt he'll be ready Week 1; Brian Daboll calling plays (2024)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants conducted a practice Thursday that was open to reporters for the first time this offseason.

This is always one of the most revealing practices of the year because it’s the first time to see how all the new pieces will fit in. There’s no more speculation about how veteran additions and rookies will be used. The coaching staff can no longer keep its plans under wraps.

So here are observations and notes from Thursday’s OTA practice:

Attendance

It’s important to note that OTAs are voluntary, and players who were not on the field could have been in the facility rehabilitating. With that disclaimer in mind, these players were not spotted Thursday: wide receivers Darius Slayton and Isaiah McKenzie; tight ends Darren Waller and Daniel Bellinger; and defensive linemen Jordan Phillips, Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Timmy Horne.

Slayton hasn’t attended the offseason program because he wants a new contract, and Waller continues to mull retirement. Coach Brian Daboll wouldn’t say when — or if — he expects those players to join the team.

“I would say whenever they decide, they decide,” Daboll said.

A two-day mandatory minicamp begins June 11 before players get a six-week summer break.

Injury report

OL Evan Neal, OL Matt Nelson, OLB Benton Whitley, ILB Isaiah Simmons and CB Aaron Robinson worked on the side with trainers. Neal (ankle) and Robinson (knee) finished last season on injured reserve. Robinson spent all of last season on the physically unable to perform list because of a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee that was suffered in Week 4 of the 2022 season.

LT Andrew Thomas didn’t take any reps in team periods. The Giants are likely keeping one of their most important players on a pitch count this spring because of his injury history.

QB Daniel Jones (ACL), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (ACL), TE Lawrence Cager (groin), OL Josh Ezeudu (toe), safety Jason Pinnock (toe) and K Graham Gano (knee) participated in practice after finishing last season on injured reserve.

ICYMI: Here’s recording of @DDuggan21 and I live room from yesterday https://t.co/vcG3RKMKF9

— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) May 22, 2024

Observations

‘Teaching camp’

Little of what happens during a May practice without pads means much. Daboll called OTAs a “teaching camp.” Outside linebacker Brian Burns, who destroyed backup left tackle Josh Ezeudu in team drills, said his dominance didn’t mean anything because this setting isn’t “real football.”

So, while I’ll share some performance observations from Thursday’s session, the biggest takeaway was that Daboll appeared to be calling the offensive plays. Daboll was stationed directly behind the offensive huddle and communicated with the quarterbacks between plays. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka stood about 10 to 15 yards to Daboll’s left behind the offense.

The expectation since last season ended has been that Daboll will take over as the play caller. He hasn’t revealed his plan, but Thursday’s practice strengthened the belief Daboll will assume that role this season.

Jones looks sharp

The Giants’ offense versus defense periods last spring were strictly seven-on-seven. Thursday’s practice was a departure from that approach, with a brief seven-on-seven period early in practice followed by multiple 11-on-11 periods.

Thursday’s seven-on-seven period seemed to be designed to get Jones work without exposing him to the risk of a pass rush in 11-on-11 drills. Jones looked sharp, completing 5 of 6 passes.

Jones wasn’t wearing a brace on his surgically repaired right knee and reiterated after practice that his goal is to be ready for the start of training camp. Jones said he has no doubt he’ll be ready for the season.

Daniel Jones: “Fired up to get Malik (Nabers). He’s a dynamic player.” #Giants

ICYMI: My story on Nabers from earlier this week: https://t.co/UPnfVTHMbA pic.twitter.com/EKw3YY88CH

— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) May 23, 2024

Off the mark

None of the other quarterbacks took seven-on-seven reps. Drew Lock was the first-team quarterback in the 11-on-11 periods. If Lock is going to push Jones for the starting job, he’ll need to perform much better than he did Thursday.

Lock completed 11 of 20 passes with some incompletions that were way off the mark. He put the ball in jeopardy a few times but avoided any turnovers. Lock did uncork a nice deep ball to rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers for a touchdown. Wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins was Lock’s favorite target, catching four passes.

DeVito download

Tommy DeVito completed 12 of 19 passes, looking more in command than Lock. DeVito hit wide receiver Jalin Hyatt with a pretty deep ball on a slot fade. He also showed nice touch by layering a few intermediate throws.

It’s difficult to assess pocket presence when the quarterbacks can’t be contacted, but DeVito appeared to hold the ball too long on a few dropbacks. That was an issue during his rookie season.

O-line shuffle

With Thomas and Neal not participating, Ezeudu played left tackle and Yodny Cajuste played right tackle. Ezeudu had no chance against Burns. Ezeudu was overmatched when forced to play left tackle last season when Thomas was injured. Perhaps he’ll be able to slide back inside to guard when Nelson returns to action.

Grinding out 😤 pic.twitter.com/rgAAlL7rNY

— New York Giants (@Giants) May 23, 2024

Quick hits

Safety Dane Belton broke up a deep pass from Lock to wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson that hung in the air too long. … Robinson lined up in the backfield on a few plays. … WR Gunner Olszewski was the busiest receiver on the day, catching at least one pass from all four quarterbacks during team periods. … Robinson, Olszewski, WR Ayir Asante and RB Devin Singletary were the kickoff returners. The Giants put two returners back together as they practiced with the new kickoff rules. … Robinson, Olszewski, Asante and running back Dante Miller were the punt returners. … Belton was the personal protector on punts, which is a key special teams role. … Daboll said the plan is for the Giants to host the Detroit Lions for two joint practices before the preseason opener and to have one joint practice at the New York Jets’ facility before the preseason finale.

Depth chart

Here’s a snapshot of the depth chart after Thursday’s practice. Keep in mind players rotate frequently at some positions, and I don’t chart the personnel on every play, so you might not see every name listed. There was a ton of rotating at running back and wide receiver, so don’t read too much into where players are listed at those spots.

First-team offense

QB Drew Lock, RB Devin Singletary, WR Isaiah Hodgins, WR Malik Nabers, WR Wan’Dale Robinson, TE Lawrence Cager, LT Josh Ezeudu, LG Jermaine Eluemunor, C John Michael Schmitz, RG Jon Runyan, RT Yodny Cajuste.

Second-team offense

QB Tommy DeVito, RB Tyrone Tracy, WR Jalin Hyatt, WR Allen Robinson, WR Gunner Olszewski, TE Theo Johnson, LT Joshua Miles, LG Marcus McKethan, C Austin Schlottmann, RG Aaron Stinnie, RT Yodny Cajuste.

Third-team offense

QB Nathan Rourke, RB Dante Miller, WR Dennis Houston, WR Chase Cota, WR Miles Boykin, TE Chris Manhertz, LT Joshua Miles, LG Jake Kubas, C Jimmy Morrissey, RG Jalen Mayfield, RT Marcellus Johnson.

First-team defense

DL Dexter Lawrence, DL Jordon Riley, DL Ryder Anderson, OLB Brian Burns, OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, ILB Bobby Okereke, ILB Micah McFadden, CB Deonte Banks, CB Cor’Dale Flott, CB Nick McCloud (slot), S Jason Pinnock, S Dane Belton.

With veteran defensive linemen Nunez-Roches and Jordan Phillips absent, Riley and Anderson were bumped up to the first unit ahead of DJ Davidson. Belton opened as the starting safety alongside Pinnock despite the Giants using a second-round pick on Tyler Nubin.

McCloud moved to inside linebacker next to Okereke in the dime package. Rookie cornerback Andru Phillips stepped into the slot with the starters in dime.

Second-team defense

DL DJ Davidson, DL Casey Rogers, DL Elijah Chatman, OLB Azeez Ojulari, OLB Boogie Basham, ILB Carter Coughlin, ILB Darrian Beavers, CB Tre Hawkins, CB Darnay Holmes, CB Andru Phillips (slot), S Tyler Nubin, S Gervarrius Owens.

It was interesting that Holmes lined up outside after playing almost exclusively in the slot in his first four seasons.

Third-team defense

DL DJ Davidson, DL Casey Rogers, DL Elijah Chatman, OLB Tomon Fox, OLB Ovie Oghoufo, ILB Darius Muasau, ILB Matthew Adams, CB Kaleb Hayes, CB Alex Johnson, CB David Long (slot), S Jalen Mills, S Gervarrius Owens.

Play of the day

Nabers showed his big-play ability on the deep pass from Lock, using a smooth double move to get behind Flott and Pinnock for the long touchdown. Flott and Burns claimed Lock would have been sacked in live action, but it goes as a touchdown for Nabers in the non-contact practice.

Quote of the day

“I always feel like I have a lot to prove. I’m motivated; I’m doing everything I can to be ready to go.” — QB Daniel Jones on his mindset after the Giants pursued top quarterbacks in the pre-draft process

Next up

Players will enjoy a break for the holiday weekend. They’ll be back on the field Tuesday for their next OTA practice. The next OTA open to reporters is May 30.

(Photo: Adam Hunger / Associated Press)

Dan Duggan is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the New York Giants. He previously covered the Giants for two years for The Star-Ledger. He has also worked for the Boston Herald. Follow Dan on Twitter @DDuggan21