Predicting Giants' Breakout Players at 2023 OTAs, Minicamp
The New York Giants are coming off their best season in years, one that included an appearance in the divisional round. However, their return to the postseason wouldn't have happened without a breakout season by quarterback Daniel Jones.
The Giants will look to go even further this season, and they'll need the help of new additions such as Darren Waller, Parris Campbell and rookie Deonte Banks to do it. While the new names will likely be the talk of the offseason, having a couple more players emerge as Jones did in 2022 would help the effort.
With this in mind, let's examine three returning Giants players who could begin breaking out during offseason team activities (OTAs) and minicamp.
Starting jobs are typically won or lost during this phase of the offseason, but the following three players could make a strong case for New York's biggest breakthrough stars in the fall.
OT Evan Neal
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Last spring, the Giants used the seventh overall pick on offensive tackle Evan Neal. While he started 13 games as a rookie and appears to be the team's long-term answer at right tackle, he left plenty of room for improvement.
The 22-year-old was hampered by a knee injury last season and responsible for seven penalties and seven sacks allowed, according to Pro Football Focus.
With the injury behind him, Neal is poised to show a lot of growth in his second pro season. He now has experience and is entering his second offseason under offensive line coach Bobby Johnson.
Training with former NFL All-Pro Willie Anderson, which the Alabama product has done this offseason, certainly won't hurt.
"Anyone who's been around [Evan Neal] knows he has it," Anderson wrote on Instagram. "We're playing around with his stance. He'll eventually get into the stance he feels comfortable with."
Expect Neal to showcase more play strength, better footwork and an improved technique during his sophomore campaign. He'll start showing off those traits during offseason workouts and should generate plenty of buzz while doing so.
TE Daniel Bellinger
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We saw a few promising flashes from 2022 fourth-round pick Daniel Bellinger last season. The tight end finished his rookie campaign with 30 catches for 268 yards and two touchdowns, and he had three catches and another touchdown during the postseason.
However, the San Diego State product was also limited to 12 games by an eye injury that slowed his growth during the middle of the season.
Like Neal, Bellinger should show some progress entering his second year in New York. He won't be the team's primary receiving tight end with Waller entering the equation, but he can be a fine complementary player, especially in two-tight end sets—a formation New York essentially never ran last season because of a limited TE group.
According to Sports Info Solutions, the Giants were in either 20, 21 or 11 personnel 87 percent of the time in 2022. The offensive identity should change a bit with both Waller and Bellinger on the roster.
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka can now get a little more creative with his tight end usage, and Bellinger can benefit. Expect the 22-year-old to make his fair share of highlight-reel plays this offseason.
WR Isaiah Hodgins
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While Neal and Bellinger are both only entering their second pro seasons, wideout Isaiah Hodgins has been around since the Buffalo Bills made him a sixth-round pick in 2020.
The 24-year-old followed head coach Brian Daboll from Buffalo to New York after being claimed off waivers in November. He made an immediate impact, racking up 351 yards and four touchdowns in only eight games. He quickly became one of Jones' most reliable options and provided a 123.3 passer rating when targeted.
What Hodgins put on film late last year matches the potential he showcased in college.
"Potential inside/outside target with below average speed but outstanding ball skills, instincts and will to make the contested catch," NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote.
While the Giants added new receivers like Campbell, Jamison Crowder and rookie Jalin Hyatt, they also gave Hodgins a new one-year deal.
Expect the Oregon State product to be firmly entrenched in New York's offensive plans and to build on the chemistry he and Jones developed last season.
Hodgins will even have a chance to break out as the Giants' No. 1 receiver during workouts, and fans should expect him to generate plenty of buzz this offseason.
*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.
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