WR Jalin Hyatt has made the biggest jump at OTAs so far.
John Schmeelk: Fact – Jalin Hyatt has been granted something all young players need: opportunity. With Malik Nabers still trying to return from his toe injury, Hyatt has had a chance to be on the field with the first group and has taken advantage of it. He has probably caught more passes than any other receiver, including some deep ones down the field, and has found early chemistry with Russell Wilson. I've also been impressed with how much the Giants have moved Hyatt, Darius Slayton, and Wan'Dale Robinson to different spots, giving each an opportunity to play every position. I think it has helped all three perform well on the field.
Dan Salomone: Fact – It has become a fun game to see how many players Russell Wilson names during his media sessions, but Hyatt is always prominent. "He's a guy that I really believe in," Wilson reiterated on Thursday. That must be a big boost coming from a 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion quarterback.
"When you see what Russ has done since he's got here, within the first two weeks he's bringing Jalin Hyatt out to L.A. and they're working out privately," assistant general manager Brandon Brown said. "He's getting all the skill guys together down in Atlanta. Earlier this week, scheduling a dinner with the O-Line and running backs. That type of leadership component, remember, our nucleus has been really young throughout our time here. Him having that veteran leadership on the offensive side as well as having the ability to complement what Dabs (Brian Daboll) wants to get done from the quarterback position, we thought it was a really good fit."
Matt Citak: Fact – We're still in OTAs where obviously contact is not allowed, so take everything with a grain of salt, but Jalin Hyatt has easily made the biggest jump thus far this spring. Hyatt has made some nice grabs all over the field, not just on deep passes, and looks like he added some bulk to his frame this offseason. The third-year receiver is developing nice chemistry with Russell Wilson, who has spoken glowingly about the wideout since his introductory press conference. The veteran quarterback seems to look in Hyatt's direction often during team drills, which hopefully is a sign for what is to come this season.
The biggest non-quarterback storyline is how the Giants will deploy their three edge rushers.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – A lot of times storylines are focused around things that people are concerned about, but they do not have to be. There is nothing to be worried about when it comes to how the Giants are going to deploy their three edge rushers. That's the fun stuff. All three guys are going to be on the field and given an opportunity to get after the quarterback. That's why I don't think it is the biggest storyline. I still go back to the offensive line and whether they run back the five guys that started the season last year, which would be fine given their level of play until the Andrew Thomas injury, or if a young player can work his way up the depth chart. In order for the offense to be successful this year, the line has to play well.
Dan Salomone: Fact – It's the most exciting one, too. The Giants have been at their best when they can send wave after wave of pass rushers. They certainly have that now. The versatility of Brian Burns and Abdul Carter will only make it tougher on offenses.
Matt Citak: Fact – Based on what Shane Bowen said to the media Thursday, along with what we've seen during 11-on-11 reps, I have no doubt that all three edge rushers will be on the field a lot this season. The Giants will get their best 11 defensive players out there as often as possible, and it'll be up to Bowen to figure out the best way to creatively deploy all of them around Dexter Lawrence. But don't take it from me, here's Brian Burns on the matter.
"It's going to challenge offenses to figure out what we're doing. And if you can put us in different spots doing the same thing, it'll be confusing at a certain point…" Burns told the media Thursday. "Our third down could be a little more exotic with the addition of (Abdul) Carter. It's kind of like pick your poison. And then we have a Dex, so..."