With free agency and the draft in the rearview mirror and organized team activities and minicamps in full swing, here’s a starting lineup projection for the New York Giants:
OFFENSE (PRIMARY FORMATION: ONE RB, THREE WRs)
QB: Eli Manning: The 36-year-old is looking for a bounce-back season and has some new weapons at his disposal. No excuses.
RB: Paul Perkins: Coach Ben McAdoo has already earmarked this job for Perkins, who showed flashes during his rookie season.
LT: Ereck Flowers: The Giants are sticking with the youngster (for now) despite a rough 2016 season.
LG: Justin Pugh: He’s looking for a healthy season, especially entering a contract year.
C: Weston Richburg: He’s entrenched as the starting center and as the leader of this often embattled offensive line.
RG: John Jerry: The Giants signed him to a three-year, $10 million deal this offseason to be their starting right guard, even if he will face competition.
RT: Bobby Hart: He lost his job late last season and will face competition from the newly-signed D.J. Fluker as the Giants throw everyone into a pot and see which combination looks best.
TE: Evan Engram: The Giants invested heavily in the first-round pick, even if he will share time with Rhett Ellison, Will Tye or whoever else is in the tight end mix.
WR: Odell Beckham Jr.: He’s still the best player on this Giants roster with three Pro Bowl selections in three professional seasons.
WR: Brandon Marshall: The offseason acquisition gives the Giants a big-bodied receiver and red-zone threat they needed.
WR: Sterling Shepard: He showed promise as the slot receiver in his rookie season by catching eight touchdown passes.
DEFENSE (PRIMARY FORMATION: 4-3-3)
DE: Olivier Vernon: He’s a force as a pass-rusher and run-stuffer, as evidenced by his league-leading 17 tackles for a loss last season.
DT: Damon Harrison: He was a one-man run-stuffing machine in his first season with the Giants.
DT: Dalvin Tomlinson: Expect him to be the primary run-down option (and replacement for the departed Johnathan Hankins) alongside Harrison.
DE: Jason Pierre-Paul: He signed a new long-term deal this offseason to give the Giants bookends on their defensive line, which is the strength of the team.
LB: Jonathan Casillas: The defensive captain is a trusted cog in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s machine.
MLB: B.J. Goodson: Last year’s fourth-round pick should step into the role of middle linebacker in the base defense that was occupied by veteran Kelvin Sheppard last season. Keenan Robinson comes in as the nickel linebacker on passing downs.
LB: Devon Kennard: He was a solid contributor last season, setting the edges on a defense that allowed the second-fewest points in the league and was among the stingiest run defenses.
CB: Janoris Jenkins: His first season in the Giants defense earned him his first Pro Bowl appearance.
FS: Darian Thompson: After missing almost all of last year with a foot injury, the 2016 third-round pick is still the favorite to start ahead of Andrew Adams and Nat Berhe.
SS: Landon Collins: He blossomed into an All-Pro last season and is a vital piece to the defense.
CB: Eli Apple: He starts outside opposite Jenkins in his second professional season, with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie manning the slot.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Aldrick Rosas: He’s the only kicker on the roster at this moment, even though he’s never played in an NFL game.
P: Brad Wing: McAdoo raved as Wing blossomed into a weapon as last season progressed.
KR: Dwayne Harris: With a solid track record dating back to his time in Dallas, he’ll get the first crack at this job despite struggling last season.
PR: Harris: See above, although Beckham should receive some opportunities depending on the game and situation.