Vernon in Ohio: Can you give me three rookies or first year players on the team that will play a significant role for the team in 2020?
John Schmeelk: The Giants are a young team, and youth will be served…and play. Of the rookie class, the players with the best chance for large roles early are Andrew Thomas (at right or left tackle), Xavier McKinney (potential starting safety) and Darnay Holmes (potential starting nickel cornerback). Shane Lemieux will have a chance to compete for the starting center position.
Other young players who could see extended playing time are tight end Kaden Smith (2nd year), linebacker Ryan Connelly (2nd year), and defensive back Julian Love (2nd year). Nick Gates is entering his third season, and he is another young player who could play a prominent role on the team either as a starter on the offensive line, or a versatile backup.
Cory in South Carolina: Do you think Carter Coughlin can carve out a big role on defense in his rookie season?
John Schmeelk: There is a lot to like about Carter Coughlin out of Minnesota. He was a team captain, has an effervescent personality, and scored well in many of the workout metrics at the NFL Combine. His 9.8 RAS (relative athletic score) puts him into the 98th percentile of athletes at linebacker. His speed and jumping scores were impressive.
There are things he will have to overcome. He played as an edge rusher in college, but at 6-3 and 236 pounds, he does not fit the profile of someone who plays consistently on the line of scrimmage in the NFL. What will his role be? Can he serve as an effective situational pass rusher? Or can he hone his coverage and space skills to the point where he can play off-ball inside linebacker?
In an abbreviated offseason, making those kinds of big changes will be difficult for a rookie, but Coughlin seems to have the work ethic and attitude to make it happen.
View photos of the entire 10-member New York Giants 2020 Draft Class
GEORGIA OT ANDREW THOMAS
ALABAMA SAFETY XAVIER MCKINNEY
UCONN OT MATT PEART
UCLA CB Darnay Holmes
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon Guard Shane Lemieux
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Penn State LB Cam Brown
(AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Minnesota LB Carter Coughlin
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Carolina LB T.J. Brunson
(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Minnesota CB Chris Williamson
(AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Georgia LB Tae Crowder
(AP Photo/John Amis)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) plays against Missouri during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) is shown in action against South Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Athensw. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) is shown in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Murray State Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Nashville, Tenn. Thomas was selected to The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference football team, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) pursues against the Vanderbilt Commodores during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Georgia won 30-6. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) prepares for action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Murray State, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) lines up against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
S Xavier McKinney
(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) knocks the football loose from Auburn running back JaTarvious Whitlow (28) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) calls a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, in College Station, Texas. McKinney was selected to The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference football team, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Sam Craft, File)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney heads to the bench during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Marvin Gentry)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) reacts to the refs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart (65) sets up to block at the line of scrimmage in front of Central Florida defensive lineman Landon Woodson (93) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart (65) sets up to block at the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart (65) runs on to the field during senior day festivities before the start of an NCAA college football game against East Carolina Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Stephen Dunn)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA's Darnay Holmes (1) returns a kick against Memphis in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
UCLA Bruins defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes returns a kick while Texas A&M linebackers Braden White and Buddy Johnson tackle him during an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif. UCLA won 45-44. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)
UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes walks off the field after an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona defeated UCLA 20-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux (68) in between drills before the start of an NCAA college football game against Stanford on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux (68) blocks against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Stanford, Calif. Oregon won 21-6. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux (68) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Shane Lemieux runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Rutgers' Gus Edwards (13) gets knocked out of bounds before crossing the goal line by Penn State's Cam Brown (6) and Parker Cothren (41) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)
Penn State linebacker Cam Brown (6) hits Indiana running back Ricky Brookins (33) to break up a pass play during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) gets off a pass under pressure by Penn State linebacker Cam Brown (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Minnesota defeated Purdue 38-31. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia Southern quarterback Justin Tomlin (17) passes while under the pressure of Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) on field against Penn State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Minnesota defeated Purdue 38-31. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue tight end Garrett Miller (88) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Minnesota defeated Purdue 38-31. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Minnesota defeated Purdue 38-31. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) plays against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Minnesota defeated Purdue 38-31. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) during an NCAA college football game against New Mexico State,Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Missouri wide receiver Emanuel Hall, right, runs past South Carolina's T.J. Brunson, left, during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, file photo, Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) scrambles from the pocket against South Carolina linebacker T.J. Brunson (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Columbia, S.C. Clemson's Kelly Bryant and Miami's Malik Rosier are longtime backups blossoming as starters. One of them will celebrate an ACC championship when the top-ranked Tigers faced No. 7 Hurricanes on Saturday night. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford, File)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) scores a two-point conversion against South Carolina linebacker T.J. Brunson, left, and defensive lineman Jabari Ellis in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. North Carolina won 24-20. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) looks for a receiver as he is rushed by South Carolina linebacker T.J. Brunson (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
South Carolina linebacker T.J. Brunson (6) celebrates an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Minnesota's defensive back Chris Williamson (6) during the first half of a college football game Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota's defensive back Chris Williamson (6) sacks Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Minneapolis. Northwestern won 24-14. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota defensive back Chris Williamson (6) tips the ball in the end zone away from the arms of Penn State wide receiver KJ Hamler (1) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 31-26. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Iowa wide receiver Nico Ragaini, left, dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Minnesota defensive back Chris Williamson trails during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Baylor running back Trestan Ebner (25) loses the ball on a pass play while being hit by Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder (30) which Georgia intercepted in the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Left is Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean (17). (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder (30) moves near Notre Dame offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer (78) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder (30) comes up celebrating after Missouri wide receiver C.J. Boone (10) is brought down during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Samuel in Vermont: With our improved (vastly, in my opinion) offensive line, and returning players for the offensive skill positions, do you see the Giants putting up 30+ points a game?
John Schmeelk: Even with a new offense and a second year starting quarterback, I expect the offense to be ranked in the top half of the league. How high will be determined by how quickly things come together. Their early season schedule features games against some strong defenses (Steelers, Bears, 49ers, Rams).
Daniel Jones has familiarity with the skill position players on offense, which should expedite a quick adjustment to the new offense. He should have more than enough talented playmakers to succeed.
The offensive line and how much it has improved will bear watching. There is a new coach in Marc Colombo. The organization hopes Nate Solder has a strong bounce-back season. Will Hernandez will improve in his third year. The desire is Andrew Thomas wins a starting offensive tackle spot and provides an upgrade over Mike Remmers, who was a solid right tackle last year. Perhaps someone can seize the center job and play better than Jon Halapio did last year before his injury? There are no guarantees of those things happening. Kevin Zeitler should continue his high level of play. We need to see the group play together before we know how improved they will be.
View photos of the Giants' active roster as it currently stands.
OT Jackson Barton
WR C.J. Board
CB James Bradberry
LB Cam Brown
LB TJ Brunson
DB Adrian Colbert
LB Carter Coughlin
LB Tae Crowder
P Riley Dixon
LB Devante Downs
(Kevin Terrell via AP)
DB Nate Ebner
TE Evan Engram
LB Kyler Fackrell
OT Cameron Fleming
RB Wayne Gallman
K Graham Gano
G Nick Gates
DB Madre Harper
G Will Hernandez
DL B.J. Hill
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
DB Darnay Holmes
DT Austin Johnson
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
DE Niko Lalos
DL Dexter Lawrence
G Shane Lemieux
RB Dion Lewis
CB Julian Love
WR Austin Mack
LB Blake Martinez
LB David Mayo
QB Colt McCoy
DL R.J. McIntosh
(Scott Boehm via AP)
DB Xavier McKinney
RB Alfred Morris
OL Kyle Murphy
OT Matt Peart
S Jabrill Peppers
WR Dante Pettis
C Spencer Pulley
DB Logan Ryan
DE Jabaal Sheard
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Darius Slayton
(AP Photo/Michael Perez)
TE Kaden Smith
WR Golden Tate III
OT Andrew Thomas
TE Levine Toilolo
DL Dalvin Tomlinson
DL Leonard Williams
CB Isaac Yiadom
G Kevin Zeitler
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