This article is part of our Team Previews series.
NEW YORK GIANTS
THE SKINNY
The Giants rebuilt their awful defense this offseason, signing linemen Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison, and cornerback Janoris Jenkins while nabbing corner Eli Apple in the draft's first round. If Jason Pierre-Paul can still compete with a damaged hand, the team should contend, given the strength of its offense.
THREE KEY STORY LINES
HELP FOR THE DEFENSE
The Giants had one of the worst defenses in the NFL in 2015, finishing last in yards and third in points allowed. Consequently, the front office splurged on two free-agent linemen, DE Olivier Vernon and DT Damon Harrison. The duo's respective performances warranted substantial deals, as Vernon was Pro Football Focus' foremost edge rusher over the final eight games, while Harrison ranked as the league's best-overall against the run. With DE Jason Pierre-Paul and DT Johnathan Hankins already in place in the trenches, the additions arguably push the Giants into the conversation of finest front lines in professional football. To bolster the secondary, CB Janoris Jenkins inked a five-year contract to replace the oft-injured Prince Amukamara, and CB Eli Apple was also tabbed in the first round of the NFL Draft. As a result, the unit should be vastly improved, but there are still weak links at linebacker and safety, the additions of B.J. Goodson (fourth round) and Darian Thompson (third round) notwithstanding. However, if the revamped D-line channels each member's greatest qualities, it might not matter.
WHO'S TOTING THE ROCK?
After drafting RB Paul Perkins in the fifth round, the Giants now have six conceivable members of what could again be a three-man timeshare. Incumbent starter Rashad Jennings was the team's No. 1 back in 2015 and should be the favorite for early-down work, but he's 31 and susceptible to injury. Shane Vereen is a lock to operate on third down, but even if he stays healthy, there's little chance he'll crack 100 carries. That leaves the quick, shifty Perkins, the plodding and stone-handed Andre Williams, untested Orleans Darkwa and free-agent signee Bobby Rainey. Initially, one of the four backups will likely spell Jennings at times, but should he get hurt or prove ineffective, there's an opening here for a running back to carve out a major role. While the Giants had a three-headed monster for most of last season, Jennings accrued 79 carries in the final four weeks, so it's certainly possible new coach Ben McAdoo, who served as offensive coordinator under former boss Tom Coughlin, shortens the rotation this year. Within the reserve group, Perkins is the most interesting prospect and the one on whom to speculate late in drafts.
WILL CRUZ MAKE IT BACK?
The one-time superstar wideout hasn't played since October of 2014, when Victor Cruz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee. After it was surgically repaired, he was cleared to work out last summer, but suffered a seemingly minor calf strain in training camp. The ailment lingered into the season, and after a setback during practice in late September, he was eventually placed on injured reserve in November. He subsequently had surgery to repair the calf, and declared himself "100 percent healthy" in April, but after the long layoff and two procedures, it's anyone's guess whether and to what extent he makes it back. The Giants are aware of the risk, and consequently drafted Sterling Shepard, a small, quick polished receiver capable of playing the slot, in the second round. Ideally, Cruz will return to full speed, while Shepard gives the Giants a third option along with superstar Odell Beckham. If that's the case, Eli Manning can be moved up draft boards a couple spots. But if it's clear Cruz has permanently lost a step, Shepard could be pressed into a sizeable role as early as Week 1.
KEY JOB BATTLE
Larry Donnell returns from a neck injury and will battle Will Tye, who was passable in the tight end role for the season's final two months. Tye is faster, but stands only 6-2, making Donnell (6-6, 265 pounds) the bigger, more red-zone friendly target. Sixth-round draft pick Jerell Adams offers a nice size/speed combo (6-5, 247 pounds with a 4.64 40), but probably won't make an impact until 2017 as rookie tight ends (especially those from the late rounds) rarely have large roles.
PIVOTAL PLAYER
Beckham is the only player in history to have 180 catches, 2,700 yards and 25 touchdowns in his first two seasons. He also happens to be the only one ever to go 150-2,000-20. However, keep in mind he missed four games as a rookie and was suspended for a game last year. This is a generational talent without whom the Giants would be lost.
BAROMETER
RISING: Sterling Shepard
Shepard comes into an optimal situation, seeing single coverage opposite Odell Beckham. In a pass-happy scheme, Shepard should have a significant role, even if Victor Cruz revives some of his previous zest.
FALLING: Andre Williams
Williams briefly held promise as a rookie, given his 4.43 speed and power running, but he averaged only 2.9 YPC in his second season and is useless as a receiver out of the backfield. Don't be surprised if he's cut.
SLEEPER: Paul Perkins
Perkins is one of many backs vying for a role, but Pro Football Focus ranked him first among all college prospects in "elusive rating," and the Giants don't have anything resembling a franchise back standing in his way.
THE INJURY FRONT
Victor Cruz, WR – Cruz hasn't played since mid-way through the 2014 season, when he tore his patellar tendon. He was supposed to suit up last year, but a seemingly minor calf injury in training camp cost him the entire season. Finally, he was healthy enough to take part in individual drills during mandatory mimicamp and is expected to be 100 percent for the start of training camp. Should he resemble the player he once was, he'll start opposite Odell Beckham and compete for targets with rookie Sterling Shepard.
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE – Pierre-Paul blew off part of his hand in a fireworks accident last summer, and while he made it back for the second half of last season, he was never at full strength and needed more surgeries during the offseason. Now healthy – albeit missing some fingers – he'll have a full training camp to get in shape and adjust to his damaged appendage.
Larry Donnell, TE – In conjunction with re-signing with the Giants in mid-April, Donnell received the all-clear from the team's medical staff. He'll thus be attempting to bounce back from the neck injury that ended his 2015 campaign on Nov. 1.
IDP FOCUS
Olivier Vernon, DE – Vernon had only 7.5 sacks last year, but Pro Football Focus graded him as their second-highest rated edge defender. Playing opposite Jason Pierre-Paul, defenses will have a hard time picking who among the pair to double team.
Keenan Robinson, LB – Robinson is the favorite to win the middle linebacker job, and if he does, he'll rack up tackles behind two run-stuffing tackles in Damon Harrison and Johnathan Hankins. That said, Robinson still has to fend off Jasper Brinkley, B.J. Goodson and Kelvin Sheppard in training camp to lock down the job.
Landon Collins, S – While his coverage skills may be lacking, Collins netted 112 tackles in 16 games as a rookie last season. The existence of fellow young defensive backs Darian Thompson and Nat Berhe shouldn't stop Collins from attaining a similar significant snap count in 2016.
OFFSEASON MOVES
KEY ACQUISITIONS:
Olivier Vernon – DE (from Dolphins)
Top-notch pass rusher who is also adept versus the run.
Damon Harrison – DT (from Jets)
At 6-4, 350 pounds, an elite run stopper.
Janoris Jenkins – CB (from Rams)
Helps fill void created by Prince Amukamara's departure.
Sterling Shepard – WR (Rd. 2, No. 40 – Oklahoma)
Should contribute right away, especially if Victor Cruz isn't healthy.
Eli Apple – CB (Rd. 1, No. 10 – Ohio State)
Third corner adds depth, talent to secondary.
KEY LOSSES:
Prince Amukamara – CB (to Jaguars)
Solid, if injury-prone, corner.
RUEBEN RANDLE – WR (to Eagles)
Inconsistent, lacked quickness. Shepard should be an upgrade.
ROBERT AYERS – DE (to Buccaneers)
Steady pass rusher, but no Vernon.
