New York Giants: 3 Burning questions heading into 2019 training camp

It’s almost time. NFL Training camps open in a few weeks. Here are three questions for the New York Giants that need to be answered entering camp.

The New York Giants will officially open 2019 training camp on July 24. As the Giants and each NFL team gets into camp, they will have certain questions that needed to be answered moving forward.

The G-Men are no exception. Big Blue needs to rebound from a very disappointing 5-11 campaign last year and have an overhauled roster that they will look to do so with.

With that being said, let’s take a look at a trio of burning questions entering Giants training camp for 2019.

3. When does rookie Daniel Jones become the starting QB?

This will be the primary hot topic throughout training camp and during the regular season, bar none. Veteran signal-caller Eli Manning will be 39 years old at the end of the 2019 campaign so he’s winding down what should be a Hall of Fame career. The Giants did not invest in a first round draft pick (sixth overall) on Daniel Jones to have him hold a clipboard for very long.

The thought here is Manning starts the season and ,as long as the G-Men are performing well (say 5-3 or better at the halfway point), he’ll remain the starter. However, if Big Blue falls flat on their face and start out of the gates 2-6, for example, look for Jones to take over the reins at the midway point.

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Their record will dictate everything. Quick prediction: Jones becomes the starter in Week 13 against the Packers at MetLife Stadium.

2. Can the defense make vast improvements from 2018?

The 2018 Giants defense was one of the worst units in team history. They ranked 23rd in the NFL in points allowed (25.8 per game), 24th in yards from scrimmage (371.4 per game) and tied for 30th in sacks (30). Something had to change. General manager Dave Gettleman drafted a pair of defensive players in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (Clemson) and cornerback Deandre Baker (Georgia).

Lawrence should help clog the middle with his size and power while Baker will be counted on to help stabilize a porous Giants secondary. Defensive end Oshane Ximines, a third-round selection in April, needs development but he has a high ceiling as a pass rusher. He registered 12 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss for the Monarchs of Old Dominion last year.

However, Big Blue will need to get improved performances from B.J. Hill, Janoris Jenkins and newcomer Jabrill Peppers, among others, if they are to contend for a playoff berth this coming season. There is nowhere to go but up at this point.

1. How much will the Giants miss Odell Beckham Jr.?

A lot. An awful lot. Odell Beckham Jr. was a true diva wide receiver with Big Blue but defensive coordinators had to game plan against him because of his take-it-to-the-house ability. He’s a rare talent. Now opposing defenses will be able to concentrate more on stopping the sensational Saquon Barkley. Other players like Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, Golden Tate and rookie wide receiver Darius Slayton, another speedburner, HAVE to step up.

New York’s quarterback situation is murky at this point, which will not help things offensively. There is a lot to straighten out during training camp and the preseason. This will be a year of transition for the G-Men. Beckham will be missed but it’s simply just time to move on.