The New York Giants concluded the voluntary portion of the offseason workout program by wrapping up OTAs this week.
There still remains a two-day minicamp next week, which will be mandatory and will officially wrap up the offseason workouts.
But before we get there, the Giants gave plenty of nuggets from their 10 sessions at OTAs during the months of May and June.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Giants OTAs in 2024:
New York Giants wrap OTAs: Biggest takeaways
Daniel Jones on the mend
The media was able to attend three of the 10 OTA sessions, which gave some updates on the progress Jones has been making as he works back from his torn ACL. Jones was taking all of the first-team reps on offense in 7-on-7 drills before giving way to Drew Lock in 11-on-11 drills.
MORE: Daniel Jones has no doubt he'll be ready for Week 1
It's still unclear whether Jones will progress to the point of participating in full-team drills during minicamp, but head coach Brian Daboll made it seems as if Jones is close to doing so one way or another.
Malik Nabers putting on a show
The Giants have needed an alpha wide receiver to lead the room since the departure of Odell Beckham Jr., and it seems they may have one. Offseason workouts don't allow for pads or live contact so everything should be taken with a grain of salt, but Nabers was dominant.
This is especially true during the final week of OTAs where Nabers put on an incredible display of dominance over the Giants secondary. Dan Duggan of The Athletic noted that the final media day of OTAs this week was "by far the best we’ve seen from him in OTAs."
“Post more Malik Nabers content!!!” pic.twitter.com/bsCHPtKmDM
— New York Giants (@Giants) June 6, 2024
No true quarterback competition
There may be some led to believe that there is a quarterback competition taking place this spring, but it's clear both in the words and actions of the team that there isn't—at least at this point. Daboll has constantly supported Jones as the QB1, and several media members came away from OTAs with the impression that Lock isn't a true threat to the starting job.
I get that it’s OTAs, but based off what I’ve seen, I’d be floored if Daniel Jones isn’t the runaway QB1. Drew Lock & Tommy Devito are no real push to be QB1 #Giants
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) May 30, 2024
We'll see if this remains true when Jones gets full medical clearance going into training camp, but the pecking order appears to be set.
Offensive line shuffle
The Giants are giving former first-round pick Evan Neal another shot at earning the right tackle position. He's been with the first-team offense during walkthrough periods, but he's still working his way back from offseason ankle surgery. When he's not on the field, former third-round pick Josh Ezeudu was working at right tackle with the first team.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas and center John Michael Schmitz are locked into their roles while free-agent additions Jermaine Eluemunor and Jon Runyan have been working at left and right guard, respectively.
Darren Waller decision coming?
While no decision has officially been announced yet, a report from ESPN detailed that the Giants expect Waller to retire from the NFL before the arrival of mandatory minicamp on June 11. Once that date arrives, the Giants reserve the right to fine Waller if he doesn't show up.
MORE: Darren Waller drops new song amid retirement decision
Waller made it clear his mind has been on anything but football when he awkwardly released a single about his divorce from WNBA star Kelsey Plum. Again, no decision has been officially revealed, but it seems the conclusion of the saga is coming one way or another.
Injury updates
The following players did not practice during the final week of OTAs due to injuries:
- RT Evan Neal (ankle)
- OL Matt Nelson (undisclosed)
- WR Isaiah McKenzie (undisclosed)
- WR Gunner Olszewski (ankle/foot)
- LB Isaiah Simmons (undisclosed)
- LB Micah McFadden (undisclosed)
- CB Aaron Robinson (knee)
- S Gervarrius Owens (undisclosed)
The Giants don't have to release an injury report until they begin practicing for the regular season so there may not be updates on some of these injuries until at least training camp.
For more Giants coverage, check out Kevin Hickey's work on Sporting News.
