Newcomers look to make big impact for Giants in 2024 (and beyond)

2023 Team: Carlina Panthers

The world got to see how the trade was made on “Hard Knocks” this offseason, and no one was happier than incoming defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, whose system is driven by the front four. Burns is one of eight players ever to record at least 7.5 sacks in each of his first five seasons, joining the likes of Reggie White, Derrick Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen, Aaron Donald, Ryan Kerrigan, and Yannick Ngakoue.

Now he is matched with Kayvon Thibodeaux, fresh off his first double-digit sack season, and Dexter Lawrence, who can throw his hat in the ring for the title of the league’s best defensive tackle. That’s why Bowen thinks there is another level for Burns.

“Absolutely,” he said. “I hope he does take it to a new level. I do. I think just continuing to be consistent to make sure he takes advantage of his opportunities when he gets chances to rush. I think the complementary piece of what we have up front is probably going to help him a little bit, too, having Dex, having KT, having whoever that fourth guy is. I think that’s going to play a role. But I hope all these guys are striving to achieve more than what they’ve achieved and have goals beyond what has been so far that they can go try to attain for themselves and obviously for us.”

In 2023, the Giants ranked last in the NFL in pass plays of 10 yards. The LSU Tigers, meanwhile, led the nation with 10.7 yards per attempt. Of course, Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels had something to do with that as he and Nabers became the first quarterback-receiver combo from the same school drafted in the top 10 in league history.

Nabers capped his LSU career as the school’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, but what really drew the Giants to him couldn’t be found in a box score. It was his mentality. On draft night, general manager Joe Schoen was asked about Nabers’ toughness, evidenced by the star wide receiver never missing a game despite suffering a shoulder injury in his final season.

“That’s legit,” Schoen said at the time. “Talking to the trainers and the medical staff, this guy didn’t miss – whatever it is, he’s going to fight through it. He’s tough, doesn’t miss games, doesn’t miss practice. If he can play, he’s going to play. That’s the way this kid is wired.”

Fast-forwarding to a Sunday in the dog days of training camp, the sixth overall pick turned his ankle and Giants fans collectively held their breath. True to form, Nabers was a full participant in practice by Thursday, on the team plane to Houston (for the team’s longest preseason trip since playing in Germany in 1994) by Friday, and making “wow” catches by Saturday.

“You’ll see it,” Schoen prognosticated on the night of April 25. “When you guys get around and see the way he practices and the way he plays on game day and see his highlights and you see some of the stuff he can do, whether it’s with the ball in his hand, without the ball in his hand. When guys are wired like that, at his age, that’s ingrained in him by then. That’s who he is. Looking forward to bringing some of that toughness and explosiveness to the roster.”

John Mara probably spoke for every Giants fan at the NFL Annual Meeting in March when the team president responded to a reporter’s question about it being “ridiculous” that the offensive line has been a topic of conversation for more than a decade.

“You’re right it’s ridiculous, and it’s a continuing source of frustration for me,” Mara said. “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.”

Indeed, that’s where the Giants used a lot of their resources. They signed 380 games (including postseason) worth of experience in Greg Van Roten (114), Jermaine Eluemunor (89), Jon Runyan Jr. (72), Austin Schlottmann (67), and Aaron Stinnie (38).

“It’s a different feel in the room,” assistant general manager Brandon Brown said recently. “Hats off to [offensive line coach] Carmen Bricillo. The way Carm teaches it, he doesn’t take anything for granted. He’s stripping the rep down, working stunts and games and in practice, and then when you can add guys like Jermaine Eluemunor and Runyan and guys that have had that continuity together. And you add a Greg Van Roten later on. There’s a level of maturity and accountability in that room that feels a little bit different. I’m happy where it’s at.”

Eluemunor (right tackle), Stinnie (right guard), and Runyan (left guard) were listed as starters on the final unofficial depth chart of the preseason, with Van Roten the next man up on the interior.

2023 Team: Minnesota Golden Gophers

The Giants entered training camp with a good problem at safety. Nubin, the first of 21 players selected at his position in the 2024 NFL Draft, joined a competition with Jason Pinnock and Dane Belton, who showed their play-making ability last season. A calf injury put Nubin’s summer on pause while the latter held down the top safety spots, but the University of Minnesota’s all-time interceptions leader returned in time for the preseason to acclimate to the NFL level.

“He continues to get better,” Bowen said. “He continues to improve each day. I think the one thing with him is he’s finally out there. He’s healthy. We missed him those first two weeks. And he’s had ground to make up to get back in that competition. He’s been good. He’s taking advantage of the opportunities. Doesn’t make the same mistake twice. I’ve been encouraged by where he’s at right now.”

2023 Team: Kentucky Wildcats

The Giants penciled in just two rookies as starters on their preseason depth charts. Nabers was one, and Phillips was the other. The third-round draft choice has been the top option at nickel cornerback, a role that Phillips was born to play and one that only continues to grow in importance.

“I remember when I was growing up people thought nickel was almost a bad thing, kind of just throwing a guy in there,” Phillips said. “Especially with how the game is going now and how there is so much passing in the league – and also in college. When I went to Kentucky, I always wanted to play nickel the whole time. I didn’t really get an opportunity until my junior year. Once I got the opportunity I kind of like – I embodied it. I felt like it’s who I was. That’s what I did best, so I went all in on it. It carried over here, so I’m out here playing nickel now. … [There’s] so much going on at that nickel. I like being in control a lot of times. You get to communicate more. You’re involved in the run game as well as the pass game. A lot of times on certain down distances you know that ball is coming to you. I’m trying just to make as many plays as possible.”