New York Giants OTAs: Takeaways from Day 1 | Sporting News

The New York Giants got back on the field Monday
to begin organized team activities (OTAs) at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

Though the media was not at Monday’s OTA session, the Giants did release some notes from the first practice during Phase 3 of the offseason. The media will be in attendance for the third OTA session on Thursday, May 23.

Here are some notable takeaways from Day 1 of Giants’ OTAs:

Takeaways from Day 1 of Giants’ OTAs

Daniel Jones participating

The Giants’ starting quarterback was on the field participating
during 7-on-7 drills Monday, working with wide receivers Malik Nabers and Jalin Hyatt. It was encouraging after missing the second half of the season due to a torn ACL.

Here’s what Dan Salomone of the team’s website said:

Quarterback Daniel Jones, who underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL on Nov. 22, took the next step in his rehab and participated in 7-on-7 drills. He completed passes to wide receivers Wan’Dale Robinson and Malik Nabers, the sixth overall pick in the draft. The hope has been to have Jones full-go for training camp in late July.

Jones also was ” moving well and had zip on his passes,” according to John Schmeelk of the team’s website.

Malik Nabers shines

The team’s No. 6 overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft
worked with both Jones and backup Drew Lock during the first day of OTAs. Salomone noted that Nabers had a productive day bringing in a “handful of passes” during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work.

Red-zone work

According to Salomone, the majority of the work done during team drills took place right outside the red zone. The Giants had one of the worst red-zone offenses in the NFL during the 2023 season, converting just 44.2% of their trips inside the 20-yard line into touchdowns. That was a far cry from Brian Daboll’s first season when the offense had the fifth-highest conversion rate (64.8%) in 2022.

UDFA rookie makes an impression

According to Salomone, the first interception of OTAs came via the hands of an undrafted free agent rookie. Former UCLA cornerback Alex Johnson grabbed a pick during team drills. It wasn’t specified who it came against, but it’s unlikely Johnson was working with the first team. Schmeelk also noted that third-round pick Andru Phillips had a pass breakup.