The Giants.com crew discusses which second-year players are the most critical to the Giants' success this season.
John Schmeelk: Salomone and Citak beat me to the punch on this one, but I want to compliment Dan on the question. Fans get very excited about draft picks each year, and sometimes a rookie class can have a huge impact on a team in its first season on the field. But more often than not, it is unwise to rely heavily on rookies to lift a team up on its shoulders. They are young, inexperienced, and have to learn a lot before they can be high-level contributors. It is always the second-, third- and even fourth-year players still on rookie contracts who comprise the core group that can help a team get better through their own individual improvement. It is the Giants' draft classes from 2021-2023 that need to continue to improve and potentially emerge as Pro Bowl players in the hopes of elevating the Giants to greater heights.
I'll go with wide receiver Jalin Hyatt here. He came from a collegiate-style offense where he didn't line up outside much or face press very often. It was always going to take him time to adjust to the NFL and begin to thrive. With the addition of Malik Nabers, who will likely garner a lot of attention once he starts making plays, Hyatt should face single coverage more often. If he can consistently win in those situations, especially over the top, he could be the key to the Giants becoming a more vertical and explosive offense. If the Giants want to improve, they need to score more points. You score points with explosive plays. Hyatt's speed gives them that ability, and if he can make a big jump in his second year, he could play a big role in getting this offense where it needs to be to get into the playoffs.
See all the action from spring practices at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.


OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

CB Deonte Banks (3)


WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17), WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

TE Theo Johnson (47)

QB Daniel Jones (8)

TE Lawrence Cager (83), Steve Smith Sr.


WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

WR Allen Robinson II (15)

ILB Bobby Okereke (58)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

QB Daniel Jones (8)

Steve Smith Sr, WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

P Jamie Gillan (6)

WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6), C Jimmy Morrissey (67)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13)

WR Malik Nabers (9)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

QB Daniel Jones (8)

WR Darius Slayton (86), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), G Jon Runyan (76),

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

WR Darius Slayton (86)

TE Lawrence Cager (83), Steve Smith Sr.

WR Darius Slayton (86), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), G Jon Runyan (76),

P Jamie Gillan (6)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

Steve Smith Sr., K Graham Gano (9)

P Jamie Gillan (6)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

OLB Boogie Basham (55)

P Jamie Gillan (6)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

WR Darius Slayton (86), RB Jashaun Corbin (35)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

Steve Smith Sr., K Graham Gano (9)

T Evan Neal (73), G Jon Runyan (76), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Jermaine Eluemunor (72), T Andrew Thomas (78)

OLB Boogie Basham (55)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

OLB Azeez Ojulari (51)

P Jamie Gillan (6)

T Evan Neal (73), G Jon Runyan (76), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Jermaine Eluemunor (72), T Andrew Thomas (78), RB Devin Singletary (26)

WR Jalin Hyatt (13), TE Lawrence Cager (83), T Andrew Thomas (78)

CB Darnay Holmes (30)

WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)

Steve Smith Sr., K Graham Gano (9)

LS Casey Kreiter (59)

S Dane Belton (24)

CB Deonte Banks (3)

RB Eric Gray (20)

CB Tre Hawkins III (37)

Shea Tierney Offensive Passing Game Coordinator/QB Coach, QB Daniel Jones (8), Steve Smith Sr.

T Evan Neal (73)

LS Casey Kreiter (59)

CB Tre Hawkins III (37)

CB Darnay Holmes (30)

OLB Brian Burns (0)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

TE Daniel Bellinger (82)

T Evan Neal (73)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93), S Dane Belton (24)

DB Jalen Mills (21)

TE Jack Stoll (89), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)

TE Jack Stoll (89), TE Daniel Bellinger (82), TE Chris Manhertz (85), TE Theo Johnson (47)

P Jamie Gillan (6)

T Evan Neal (73)

DL Ryder Anderson (90)

WR Allen Robinson II (15)

S Jason Pinnock (27), OLB Azeez Ojulari (51), OLB Boogie Basham (55), S Gervarrius Owens (39), OLB Tomon Fox (45)

LS Casey Kreiter (59), P Jamie Gillan (6)

OLB Azeez Ojulari (51), OLB Boogie Basham (55), S Gervarrius Owens (39)

LS Casey Kreiter (59), P Jamie Gillan (6)

P Jamie Gillan (6) LS Casey Kreiter (59)




















Dan Salomone: My ears always perk up when a general manager brings up something unprompted, especially during a season-ending press conference after a tough year. In his evaluation of the rookie class, Joe Schoen said he would be "surprised" if center John Michael Schmitz isn't a captain down the road. "The intangibles for John Michael are off the charts," Schoen said. "He's got leadership potential."
Let's jump to another memorable offseason quote, this one from team president John Mara. At the NFL Annual Meeting in late March, a reporter brought up that some people say it's "ridiculous" that the offensive line has been a question for the Giants for a decade.
"You're right it's ridiculous, and it's a continuing source of frustration for me," Mara responded. "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."
Flanked by Jon Runyan and Jermaine Eluemunor, two guards with 161 games of NFL experience under their belts (including postseason), Schmitz is at the center of the attention and will look to take the next step in Year 2.
"I think the biggest thing for me when times are tough, you really know who a true leader is when you hit adversity, you hit a tough time," Schmitz said. "All the guys look to someone, and I want to be that for our room and take charge."
View photos of the New York Giants' 2024 active roster as it currently stands.


ILB Matthew Adams

CB Deonte Banks

TE Daniel Bellinger

S Dane Belton

QB Tim Boyle

OLB Brian Burns

DL Elijah Chatman

QB Tommy DeVito

TE Greg Dulcich

DT Cory Durden

OT Jermaine Eluemunor

OL Joshua Ezeudu

CB Cor'Dale Flott

OLB Tomon Fox

WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton

K Graham Gano

DL Elijah Garcia

P Jamie Gillan (6)

RB Eric Gray

CB Art Green

OT Chris Hubbard

WR Jalin Hyatt

CB Adoree' Jackson

S Anthony Johnson Jr.

ILB Dyontae Johnson

LS Casey Kreiter

G Jake Kubas

QB Drew Lock

TE Chris Manhertz

LB Micah McFadden

RB Dante Miller

ILB Darius Muasau

WR Malik Nabers

T Evan Neal

DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches

CB Dru Phillips

S Jason Pinnock

DL Jordon Riley

WR Wan'Dale Robinson

C Austin Schlottmann

C John Michael Schmitz Jr.

S/LB Isaiah Simmons

RB Devin Singletary

WR Darius Slayton

WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

G Aaron Stinnie

CB Greg Stroman

LB Ty Summers

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux

RB Tyrone Tracy

G Greg Van Roten

DB Dee Williams

CB Divaad Wilson
Matt Citak: Deonte Banks was asked to do more than most rookie cornerbacks. He started 15 games in his first season and spent most of his time covering the opposing team's No. 1 receiver. From A.J. Brown to Terry McLaurin to CeeDee Lamb and several others, Banks was thrown right into the fire against some of the league's best weapons. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound cornerback finished with two interceptions and 11 passes defensed to go with his 64 tackles (53 solo) and two tackles for loss. He also earned a passer rating against of 84.7, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked 24th out of 74 qualified cornerbacks, in addition to allowing a 57.6 completion rate (53 receptions allowed on 92 targets).
Heading into his second season, Banks' development could be the key to the defense. With the addition of Brian Burns to go with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence, the Giants could have one of the league's top pass-rushing defensive lines, as the trio combined for 148 total quarterback pressures last season. This talented defensive front should help put Banks in more favorable positions, even against another tough slate of opposing No. 1 receivers. Banks flashed his athleticism at times throughout last season and again this spring, but in case anyone forgot, he scored an impressive 9.99 RAS at last year's NFL Combine (out of a possible 10.00). This ranked as the third-best score out of 2,212 cornerbacks from 1987 to 2023, showing that Banks has the ideal size and speed you want from an outside corner. The Giants have a young secondary, which includes Cor'Dale Flott, Dru Phillips, Nick McCloud, Jason Pinnock, Dane Belton, and Tyler Nubin, just to name a few. If Banks can take a big step this season, not only would it provide the defensive backfield with a significant boost, but it could also help transform the entire defense.
"It's always a big difference between year one and year two," coach Brian Daboll said about Banks during the first week of OTAs. "Obviously he's done it for a whole year in terms of how we do things here, learning some new things of what we're putting in defensively, but he has the right mindset, he's working extremely hard and trying to do as good as he can do."
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2024 cycle.


RB Dante Miller - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (January 4)

T Tyre Phillips - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (January 4)

OLB Boogie Basham - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (January 4)

DL Armon Watts - Reserve/Injured (January 3)

C Austin Schlottmann - Activated, from Reserve (December 28)

DL Armon Watts - Activated, from Reserve (December 28)

OLB Boogie Basham - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 28)

S Raheem Layne - Reserve/Injured (December 28)

DB Alex Cook - Practice Squad Exception (December 26)

DL Casey Rogers - Practice Squad (December 26)

ILB Dyontae Johnson - Activated, from Reserve (December 24)

DL Casey Rogers - Waived, No Recall (December 24)

DL Armon Watts - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 24)

T Ricky Lee - Practice Squad (December 23)

S Raheem Layne - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (December 21)

OLB Patrick Johnson - Reserve/Injured (December 21)

ILB Bobby Okereke - Reserve/Injured (December 21)

OLB Boogie Basham - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 21)

T Tyre Phillips - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 21)

QB Tim Boyle - Free Agent Signing from NYG PS (December 14)

G Jon Runyan Jr. - Reserve/Injured (December 14)

S Raheem Layne - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 14)

CB Divaad Wilson - Free Agent Signing from ARZ Practice Squad (December 11)

S Tyler Nubin - Reserve/Injured (December 11)

C Austin Schlottmann - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 11)

T Jalen McKenzie - Practice Squad (December 11)

CB Greg Stroman - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (December 10)

CB Tre Hawkins - Reserve/Injured (December 10)

DL Ross Blacklock - Practice Squad Veteran (December 10)

QB Tim Boyle - Practice Squad Veteran (December 10)

CB Ekow Boye-Doe - Practice Squad (December 10)

CB Azizi Hearn - Practice Squad (December 10)

C Jimmy Morrissey - Practice Squad; Injured (December 10)

DL Casey Rogers - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (December 7)

DL Elijah Garcia - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (December 7)

DL D.J. Davidson - Reserve/Injured (December 7)

QB Tim Boyle - Waived, No Recall (December 7)

T Tyre Phillips - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 7)

CB Greg Stroman - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 7)

DB Dee Williams - Claimed off Waivers from SEA (December 6)

ILB Dyontae Johnson - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 4)

DT Cory Durden - Free Agent Signing from LAR Practice Squad (December 2)

DL Dexter Lawrence - Reserve/Injured (December 2)

TE Theo Johnson - Reserve/Injured (December 2)

OLB Tomon Fox - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 27)

DL Armon Watts - Reserve/Injured (November 27)

T Joshua Miles - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 27)

CB Greg Stroman Jr. - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 27)

TE Greg Dulcich - Claimed off Waivers from DEN (November 26)

OLB Azeez Ojulari - Reserve/Injured (November 26)

OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exemption (November 26)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux - Activated, from Reserve (November 23)

QB Tim Boyle - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 23)

OLB Tomon Fox - Waived, No Recall (November 23)

QB Daniel Jones - Waived, No Recall (November 23)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (November 20)

TE Jordan Murray - Practice Squad (November 20)

T Tyre Phillips - Practice Squad Veteran (November 19)

QB Tim Boyle - Practice Squad Veteran (November 19)

TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 19)

LB Curtis Bolton - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 19)

T Garret Greenfield - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 19)

T Joshua Miles - Practice Squad Veteran (November 12)

T Joshua Miles - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 6)

P Matt Haack - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 12)

K Graham Gano - Activated from Injured Reserve (November 9)

WR Isaiah Hodgins - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 9)

LB Curtis Bolton - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 9)

CB Art Green - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 6)

C Bryan Hudson - Practice Squad (November 6)

P Matt Haack - Practice Squad Veteran (November 6)

K Graham Gano - Designated for Return/Returned to Practice (November 6)

CB Nick McCloud - Waived, No Recall (November 5)

P Matt Haack - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (November 5)

OLB Tomon Fox - Free Agent Signing from NYG PS (November 2)

TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Practice Squad Veteran (November 2)

K Greg Joseph - Reserve/Injured (November 2)

K Jude McAtamney - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 2)

T Marcellus Johnson - Practice Squad (October 30)

T Garret Greenfield - Practice Squad (October 30)

FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 30)

S Gervarrius Owens - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 29)

OLB Tomon Fox - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 28)

CB Greg Stroman - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 28)

OLB Boogie Basham - Practice Squad Veteran (October 24)

DL Armon Watts - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 22)

OLB Boogie Basham - Waived, No Recall (October 22)

OLB Tomon Fox - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 19)

OT Chris Hubbard - Free Agent Signing (from SF Practice Squad) (October 18)

OT Andrew Thomas - Reserve/Injured (October 16)

DT Armon Watts - Practice Squad Veteran (October 15)

CB Duke Shelley - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 15)

P Matt Haack - Free Agent Signing (October 12)

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux - Reserve/Injured (October 12)

WR Isaiah Hodgins - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 12)

RB Dante Miller - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 12)

OLB Benton Whitley - Practice Squad (October 8)

G Cade Mays - Signed to CAR Active Roster from NYG Practice Squad (October 8)

ILB Matthew Adams - Activated from Injured Reserve (October 5)

OLB Benton Whitley - Waived, No Recall (October 5)

WR Isaiah Hodgins - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 5)

RB Dante Miller - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 5)

LB Matthew Adams - Returned to Practice (October 2)

WR Kearis Jackson - Practice Squad (October 1)

CB Greg Stroman - Practice Squad Veteran (October 1)

TE Joel Wilson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 1)

DB Alex Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 1)

TE Lawrence Cager - Terminated (Injury Settlement) from Practice Squad (October 1)

TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 26)

CB Duke Shelley - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 26)

TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Practice Squad Veteran (September 25)

LB Ty Summers - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (September 25)

FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 24)

TE Joel Wilson - Practice Squad (September 24)

TE Lawrence Cager - Practice Squad; Injured (September 24)

CB Art Green - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)

LB Ty Summers - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)

LB Patrick Johnson - Claimed off Waivers from PHI (September 17)

K Greg Joseph - Free Agent Signing from DET Practice Squad (September 17)

K Graham Gano - Reserve/Injured (September 17)

WR Gunner Olszewski - Reserve/Injured (September 14)

OLB Tomon Fox - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 14)

LB Ty Summers - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 14)

WR Chase Cota - Waived, Injury Settlement (September 13)

FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing (September 10)

G Cade Mays - Practice Squad Exception (September 10)

OT Marcellus Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 10)

WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette - Free Agent Signing (September 9)

LB Curtis Bolton - Practice Squad Veteran (September 9)

LB Carter Coughlin - Practice Squad; Injured (September 9)

LB Ty Summers - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 7)

LB Carter Coughlin - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 7)

LB Curtis Bolton - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 7)

ILB Carter Coughlin - Practice Squad Veteran (September 6)

TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 6)

ILB Carter Coughlin - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 5)

OT Yodny Cajuste - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (September 4)

WR Isaiah McKenzie - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (September 3)

FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Practice Squad Veteran (September 2)

WR Miles Boykin - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 2)

CB Adoree' Jackson - Free Agent Signing (August 31)

FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 31)

S Gervarrius Owens - Practice Squad (August 30)

LB K.J. Cloyd - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (August 30)

FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (August 29)

C Austin Schlottmann - Reserve/Injured (August 29)

DB Duke Shelley - Practice Squad Veteran (August 29)

DE Elijah Garcia - Practice Squad (August 29)

DB Art Green - Practice Squad (August 29)

LB Curtis Bolton - Free Agent Signing (August 28)

ILB Dyontae Johnson - Reserve/Injured (August 28)

OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exception (August 28)

C Jimmy Morrissey - Practice Squad Exception (August 28)

K Jude McAtamney - International Practice Player Signing (August 28)

WR Miles Boykin, TE Lawrence Cager, WR Isaiah Hodgins, FB/TE Jakob Johnson, OT Joshua Miles, LB Ty Summers - Practice Squad Veteran (August 28)

LB K.J. Cloyd, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, DB Raheem Layne, RB Dante Miller, DL Casey Rogers - Practice Squad (August 28)

S Anthony Johnson - Claimed off Waivers from GB (August 28)

S Gervarrius Owens - Waived, No Recall (August 28)

LB Matthew Adams - Reserve/Injured - Designated for Return (August 27)

WR Isaiah McKenzie - Reserve/Injured; Prior to Cut to 53 (August 27)

LB Darrian Beavers, LB K.J. Cloyd, LB Tomon Fox, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, DB Raheem Layne, K Jude McAtamney, RB Dante Miller, C Jimmy Morrissey, DT Casey Rogers, TE Jack Stoll - Waived (August 27)

WR Miles Boykin, TE Lawrence Cager, DB Tre Herndon, WR Isaiah Hodgins, DB Darnay Holmes, FB/TE Jakob Johnson, DB David Long, OT Joshua Miles, OT Matt Nelson, WR Allen Robinson - Terminated, Vested Veteran (August 27)

DB Mario Goodrich, G Jalen Mayfield, DE Ovie Oghoufo - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 27)

RB Joshua Kelley - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 25)

DB Breon Borders - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 25)

DB Jonathan Sutherland - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 25)

DT Timmy Horne - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 25)

WR Ayir Asante, DT Kyler Baugh, DB Christian Holmes, DB Clayton Isbell, WR John Jiles, LB Trey Kiser, RB Lorenzo Lingard, T Marcus McKethan - Waived, No Recall (August 25)

DB Clayton Isbell - Free Agent Signing (August 20)

WR Dennis Houston - Waived/Injured (August 20)

DT Kyler Baugh - Free Agent Signing (August 19)