New York Giants: Biggest Storylines Ahead of Training Camp

Wake up, New York Giants fans.

If you've been tuned out since the draft, you're not up to date on the biggest storylines heading into training camp.

The first practice is scheduled for this Friday, so expect to be buried with stories by the end of the week. This slideshow will help you sift through the scoops by highlighting the reports, updates, examinations, analyses and projections that are sure to come this summer.

Read our list of the top-five storylines heading into Giants camp. Then, in the comment section below, be sure to share any other storylines you plan to keep an eye on this summer.

1. Reports on JPP's Availability and Contract Situation

Michael Thomas/Getty Images

Names to Watch: Jason Pierre-Paul, Damontre Moore, Owa Odighizuwa

The Lowdown: The Giants' standout defensive end—franchise-tagged in March but still unsigned—suffered a serious hand injury, requiring the amputation of his right index finger, as the result of a July 4 fireworks accident.

What to Expect in Camp

Pierre-Paul's injury has muddied his future with the team. Before his injury, the Giants offered him the franchise tag. Although he hasn't yet agreed to play under the one-year, $14.8 million tender, the deadline for signing a long-term deal has passed.

He is unlikely to sign the tender until he's healthy enough to pass the team's physical, ESPN's Ed Werder reported earlier this month.

The Giants can still withdraw the tender, immediately making Pierre-Paul an unrestricted free agent. Or, he can refuse to sign it and become a free agent next offseason.

Both of these scenarios are unlikely, though.

If he signs the tender and isn't ready to take the field, the Giants can stash him on the non-football injury list for the first six weeks and pay him a prorated amount for the 2015 season.

With Pierre-Paul's availability in question, the Giants need a couple of contingency plans at defensive end. The next man up should be Damontre Moore, a third-year pro who had 5.5 sacks as a reserve last season.

If Moore doesn't step up, third-round rookie Owa Odighizuwa could get a chance to contribute in JPP's absence. Moore is a more refined pass-rusher, but Odighizuwa projects to be stouter against the run.

2. Updates on Victor Cruz's Comeback

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Names to Watch: Victor Cruz, Preston Parker, Dwayne Harris

The Lowdown: The Giants' star slot receiver is working his way back from a serious knee injury that ended his 2014 season in Week 6.

What to Expect in Camp

Cruz's torn patellar tendon was a major blow to the Giants offense last year, and his recovery from the injury continues to be a major storyline heading into the 2015 season. He has been a historically productive pass-catcher, and he's one of the team's highest-paid players, so everyone is counting on him to make a full recovery.

If Cruz can work his way back to full strength this summer, the Giants will field a cool cast of receivers. Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle will handle everything outside the numbers, while Cruz mans the slot position. These three were only on the field together for two games last season, so their full potential as a starting trio remains largely unknown.

However, if Cruz suffers a setback, the Giants must be prepared with a backup plan. Preston Parker saw a lot of playing time as Cruz's replacement last year, finishing the season with 36 catches for 418 yards and two touchdowns.

The competition is tight at receiver, though. Free agency acquisition Dwayne Harris provides more value as a return specialist, so he could end up being Plan B in the case of Cruz's knee.

3. Examinations of Steve Spagnuolo's Defense

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Names to Watch: Steve Spagnuolo, Jon Beason, Landon Collins

The Lowdown: The Giants fired Perry Fewell after the 2014 season and have since hired Spagnuolo, who first served as the team's defensive coordinator from 2007-2008, to replace him.

What to Expect in Camp

The Giants have surrendered over 6,000 total yards three of the last four seasons (2011-2012, 2014), so Spagnuolo's first order of business should be to stop the bleeding. During his first stint with the team, his defenses were dominant and made great use of the available personnel.

Spagnuolo's every move will be under close scrutiny this summer. Will he be able to reconstruct a defense built upon a powerful pass-rush, like the units he presided over in the past? Will his recent experience as the Baltimore Ravens' secondary coach help him assemble a ball-hawking defense, predicated on causing turnovers?

This remains to be seen, of course.

The player who's most key to the Giants' success on defense might be middle linebacker Jon Beason. He must find a way to stay healthy after missing more than 40 games the last four years. Spagnuolo's biggest project will be to bring second-round rookie Landon Collins up to speed, since he's under a lot of pressure to make a difference amid an inexperienced group of safeties.

4. Analysis of the Starting O-Line

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Names to Watch: Ereck Flowers, Justin Pugh, Geoff Schwartz

The Lowdown: The Giants' offensive line is trying out a new configuration while trying to overcome some early adversity.

What to Expect in Camp

With starting left tackle Will Beatty rehabbing from offseason surgery to repair a torn pectoral, first-round rookie Ereck Flowers is already under the microscope.

After selecting him with the ninth-overall pick in this year's draft, the Giants need Flowers to step up right away as quarterback Eli Manning's blind-side protector. His progress will be closely monitored and analyzed this summer.

Also, Weston Richburg and Justin Pugh are playing new positions this year. The Giants needed Richburg, a second-round pick in 2014, at left guard last season, but now he's making a return to center—his natural position.

Pugh, on the other hand, has started each of his first two seasons at right tackle. The 2013 first-round pick (19th overall) is now being asked to line up at left guard.

Close tabs will be kept on Geoff Schwartz, too, after toe and ankle injuries limited him to appearances in only two games last season. The biggest question mark heading into training camp is the right tackle position.

Free-agency acquisition Marshall Newhouse took first-team snaps during early offseason workouts, but someone hiding in the depths, like 2012 fourth-round pick Brandon Mosley, could come up and steal the starting job.

5. Projections for the Final Roster

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Names to Watch: Corey Washington, Jayron Hosley, Jerome Cunningham (among many others)

The Lowdown: Teams can enter training camp with 90 players on the roster, but they must trim down to 53 before the season; several roster-bubble Giants will be fighting for a spot on the team this summer.

What to Expect in Camp

As the summer wears on, some players will step up to the challenge—others will not. Cuts can be ruthless, as there's little room on an NFL roster for a player who's not going to contribute much.

One player who's under pressure to prove that he can contribute more than he did last season is wide receiver Corey Washington.

Although the 6'4", 214-pound former undrafted free agent was spectacular during his first preseason, he caught only five passes in 2015. A lot of eyes will be on him this summer, since he's a favorite to be factored into the 53-man roster.

While Washington's an up-and-comer, cornerback Jayron Hosley is quite the opposite. A third-round pick in 2012, Hosley has failed to to catch on through his first three seasons.

After playing only six games last season—despite relatively good health—he could very well be on his last leg in the league. Other Giants are entering camp in a similar situation.

Then there's the bubble guys who will seem to come out of nowhere, like tight end Jerome Cunningham. With last year's starter, Larry Donnell, trying to overcome an old Achilles injury, there's a narrow opening for someone else to take the lead.

Adrien Robinson is an unlikely candidate to break out since he's had every opportunity to do so over the last three years and hasn't. Daniel Fells is a good blocker, but Cunningham can be the pass-catcher the team craves.

Dozens of individual challenges like the ones mentioned above will be projected and re-projected in the weeks to come, as the Giants begin the process of paring down their roster for the 2015 season.

Kevin Boilard writes about the New York Giants at Bleacher Report.