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20 Questions in 20 Days

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20 Questions in 20 Days: Players primed to make a jump

20-QUESTIONS-JULY-21

Giants.com is counting down the start of training camp with 20 questions in 20 days.

7) Who are some breakout candidates to watch?

Matt Citak: I could have gone in a variety of directions on this one as the Giants have numerous breakout candidates on both sides of the ball. I tried to avoid the obvious choices, such as Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter, as both of last year's first-round picks seem primed for a big Year 2.

On the offensive side of the ball, let's go with tight end Isaiah Likely. Coach John Harbaugh is obviously familiar with the former Ravens tight end, and it seems like the Giants have a specific plan for the 26-year-old. Likely was the first player the Giants agreed to a deal with once the negotiating period began and could serve as a top option in the passing game to start the season. While his numbers in Baltimore never jumped off the stat sheet, Likely spent his first four seasons playing as the second tight end behind Mark Andrews. He will now get the opportunity to serve as the top tight end, and it didn't take long for him to make a strong impression on his new starting quarterback.

"He's just a ball player," Jaxson Dart said about Likely during OTAs. "He's kind of unorthodox in some ways that he moves, but he's extremely savvy and smart. And so, it's awkward for guys to cover him because he's able to just, as a big guy, his stature, just able to bend and move in some ways, makes it really hard for defenders.

"He has a great mind of the game. Against zone coverages, he's able to find zones. And you saw him in Baltimore, too, on scramble drills, just his instincts taking over and making really good plays with Lamar (Jackson). It's been great, and super happy to have another playmaker like him out there."

For the defense, outside of Carter, I would want to go with linebacker Arvell Reese here. However, it's unfair to classify a rookie who hasn't played a snap in the NFL yet as a breakout candidate. Instead, I'll go with safety Tyler Nubin. The former second-round pick was a ballhawk at Minnesota as he accumulated 13 interceptions over his final four seasons at Minnesota. Through his first two NFL seasons, Nubin has yet to record an interception. The third-year safety is long overdue for a pick (or a few), and the presence of defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson should help bring the best out of the young safety, along with the rest of the secondary.

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Take a look at rare photos of New York Giants training camps through the years.

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