#Five key Giants to watch this training camp

Daniel Jones

The improvement at quarterback from Year 1 to Year 2 is often stark, and there is every reason to think it will be that way for Jones. He could not fully spread his wings as a rookie — not with Eli Manning stationed in the adjacent locker and occupying prime real estate in the meeting room. Jones last season impressed his teammates with his moxie, but there is a new offense for him to learn and a new head coach to bond with, likely throwing a few speed bumps into the fast lane he wants to ride in.

Blake Martinez

There is a glaring need for a leader on defense and the middle linebacker, the guy who makes the calls and checks, is ripe for the assignment. Martinez did it for the Packers and was signed to do it for the Giants — as well as lead the team in tackles. It will be interesting to see how quickly he takes command of his new group.

Andrew Thomas

It is a heck of a year for a rookie to break in and immediately move into a starting role on the offensive line. This is what awaits Thomas, the first-round draft pick from Georgia. Nothing will be handed to him, and he will have to work his way up the depth chart, but the expectation is he will rise to the challenge and be a Day 1 starter, most likely at right tackle.

Sam Beal

This was going to be a big year for Beal even before the DeAndre Baker situation. Now, it is an immense season for Beal — with Baker’s legal problems possibly keeping him away from the team for the foreseeable future. Just like that, Beal moves up the depth chart at cornerback, vaulting him quite possibly into a starting role. Beal is entering his third NFL season but has just six games on his résumé. He was a third-round supplemental pick and no one knows if he can play. We will soon find out.

Evan Engram

The early stages of training camp will be all about seeing who is in shape and who is not, and this clears or impedes the road ahead for Engram. He had foot surgery after the 2019 season, and it remains to be seen if the oft-injured (he hates that depiction) tight end can take a pounding and run freely, once and for all. A recent video showing Engram running routes was encouraging. He has a clean slate with a new coaching staff, and more than enough talent and physical gifts to be a big-time offensive weapon. But he has to stay on the field.