In the weeks before training camp, we’ll break down each position on the Giants roster to highlight the team’s strengths, weaknesses and the depth-chart battles that will determine who’s around for Week 1.
Returning players: Josh Brown, Brad Wing, Zak DeOssie, Tyler Ott, Dwayne Harris, Shane Vereen
Key newcomers: Tom Obarski
Assessment: Josh Brown has found a home as the Giants’ placekicker. In his past three seasons, he connected on 77 of 84 field-goal attempts, and he was better than ever in 2015, breaking his own franchise record for field goal percentage (93.8, 30 of 32 attempts) and compiling a career-high 134 points. Brown also set a franchise record by making 29 consecutive field goals, including 25 straight last season. The streak ended in inglorious fashion against the Jets when he was wide left on a 48-yard attempt that would have sent the game into overtime in a 23-20 loss. Brown is 37, but he is in exquisite shape and the Giants believe in him, which is why they signed him to a two-year, $4 million contract and guaranteed $1 million on the deal.
Brad Wing had a solid first season as the Giants punter, limiting touchbacks and getting the ball near the sideline whenever possible. The left-footer does not have the strongest of legs, but he is one of Odell Beckham Jr.’s best friends from their days together at LSU. Zak DeOssie had not missed a game in his eight years as the long-snapper until a wrist injury that required surgery landed him on injured reserve, forcing him to miss the final four games of 2015. He is steady and consistent and one of the best in the league snapping the ball and then racing down the field on punt coverage. He was re-signed to a one-year, $1.1 million deal. Other than Eli Manning, DeOssie is the only remaining player on the roster from Super Bowl XLII.
Dwayne Harris breathed life into the return game and proved to be an essential free-agent signing, averaging 28.7 yards on kickoffs (including a 100-yard touchdown) and 10.0 yards on punts (including an 80-yard TD). Shane Vereen returned 14 kickoffs in 2015, averaging 22.9 yards. The Giants want to see less of Harris on offense as a receiver, conserving his energy for the return game.
Camp battle to watch: None, really. Brown, Wing, DeOssie and Harris are all locks to retain their roles, with injuries the only possible roadblocks. Brown is entering his 14th NFL season and the Giants will not over-work him this summer.