The third phase of the New York Giants’ offseason is officially underway with the start of voluntary OTAs.
Simply put, this is the first time the team can hold practices without contact, consisting of 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills.
The Giants are supposed to take a considerable step forward in the 2025 season. This is the only way that general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll’s jobs will be safe beyond this year.
For that to happen, a roster that has seen some significant turnover at key positions will have to jell. The first signs of that should come now.
Here are five people to watch as OTAs start up.
Russell Wilson
New York’s current quarterback situation is new for everybody. Wilson, a Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Famer, is taking Big Blue’s reins after the failed Daniel Jones experiment. But he is simply a placeholder, with first-round draft pick Jaxson Dart looming as the next franchise passer; his debut is looming either sometime this year or next.
If all goes well, the Giants won’t have to turn to Dart until next season, which means Wilson and Jameis Winston can hold things down.
OTAs are a vital time for relationship building, which Wilson will have to do with his offensive weapons to lay the foundation for an improved offense. While his track record statistically speaks for itself, the confidence in his ability to lead has wavered in recent years, specifically last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Abdul Carter
Where will the Giants line the No. 3 overall draft pick?
The Penn State product is a game wrecker off the edge, but New York already has Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux as options in that area, as well.
This is where his versatility is key. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will want the new star on the field for as many snaps as possible. It all depends on whether it will be in more of a linebacker role or on the line.
Evan Neal
OTAs will provide a first glimpse at Neal at the guard position after he failed to cement his place as a tackle across three disappointing and injury-riddled campaigns.
He will compete with Greg Van Roten for the right-tackle job, which will really heat up later this summer. With no contact, it will be difficult to gauge how he will truly adapt, but his setup and footwork will likely be dissected throughout the week.
Andrew Thomas
When healthy, Thomas is one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL. The problem is, he has been unable to stay on the field in each of the last two seasons.
He missed seven games in 2023 with a hamstring injury and 11 last year because of a Lisfranc injury in his foot.
If he is moving around well during OTAs, that’s a great sign for Big Blue.
Mike Kafka
The Giants’ offensive coordinator had called the plays in 2022 and 2023, but was usurped by Daboll last year.
Kafka called the plays during rookie camp, where he worked closely with Dart. If he is on the headset again for OTAs, it is a good indicator that he will be the man calling the shots in 2025.
