Giants Who Need to See More Snaps in the Second Half of the Season
It might be time for the Giants to start looking toward the future.
At 1-6, the Giants aren't necessarily out of the NFC East race, but at the same time, they've shown that they're not quite ready to be competitive as a potential contender.
As such, it might very well be time to get some of the young players waiting in the wings onto the field to see what they can bring to the table. Like who? Here are just a few.
OT Matt Peart
Matt Peart, the Giants third-round pick, made his first NFL start in Week 6 against the Washington Football Team and has quietly made a case to take over as a regular starter in his opportunities this season.
In 49 total offensive snaps, Peart has only allowed two total quarterback pressures according to Pro Football Focus and hasn't been credited with a sack.
Peart has managed this performance in snaps both at left and right tackle, showing strong versatility and preparedness for such a young player.
With fellow rookie offensive tackle Andrew Thomas struggling at left tackle and veteran Cam Fleming set to set to become a free agent after the season, Peart is definitely in the mix in the future, presumably at right tackle.
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deally, the Giants would want Peart and Thomas as their starting bookend tackles going into next year.
While Thomas represents the might bigger investment as the fourth overall pick in this year's draft, if Peart works out better at left tackle, forcing Thomas to the right side, it would still be a success for the Giants front office if those two find success at their respective positions.
However, the most likely outcome is that the Giants stick with Thomas at the left spot as they are expecting improvement while working Peart into the starting lineup at right tackle.
OG Shane Lemieux
Speaking of working young players into the offensive line rotation, Shane Lemieux is also someone who would benefit from some more regular snaps moving forward.
Lemieux, the team's fifth-round pick in this year's draft out of Oregon, hasn't made it into an NFL game yet at guard, having played a handful of snaps as a blocking tight end or fullback.
But the hope is that he'll reach a point sooner than later to where offensive line coach Marc Colombo feels comfortable enough trusting Lemeiuex with taking a few snaps here and there just to get his feet wet.
There was speculation about Lemieux possibly competing for the center position, but Nick Gates, who figures to be part of the Giants' long-term plans, has assumed that role and is improving at the position, which should discount Lemieux from that spot.
However, the Giants could explore playing Lemieux at his more natural position at guard, especially if they are contemplating moving on from Kevin Zeitler after the season.
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Zeitler, at 30 years of age, has been serviceable at right guard this season but has declined from his 2019 form in terms of run blocking and pass blocking per PFF.
Zeitler is also rumored to be a trade candidate, according to SI.com's Albert Breer. If Zeitler is on the move, Lemieux could get the chance to see some time at right guard.
TE Kaden Smith
Kaden Smith burst on the Giants scene in the second half of last season after starting tight end Evan Engram went out with a foot injury.
Smith racked up 268 receiving yards and three touchdowns in six starts in 2019 and has already been heavily involved this year, playing an average of 43% of offensive snaps per game.
However, with Engram underperforming, the Giants might want to consider giving more work to Smith, an undrafted free agent from Stanford in 2019 whom the Giants acquired last year off waivers from the 49ers.
Smith doesn't possess the same type of elite athleticism as Engram but he is a highly intelligent and versatile tight end who has proven to be dependable as a receiver.
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Smith has also been an efficient blocker, having allowed just three quarterback pressures dating back to last season, and could prove to be a more well-rounded fit for the type of system that offensive coordinator Jason Garrett is thought to want to run.
The Giants would certainly be losing out on the deep-threat factor that Engram brings, but Engram's presence has manifested in the production the Giants were hoping for this season. It might be time for the Giants to look toward a more dependable and versatile option with the 23-year-old Smith.
OLBs Cam Brown & Carter Coughlin
With edge rusher Markus Golden traded to the Arizona Cardinals and Oshane Ximines and Lorenzo Carter on injured reserve, it seems inevitable that the Giants will have to lean on their young, late-round rookies.
Cam Brown and Carter Coughlin, drafted in the sixth- and seventh-rounds this year respectively, have worked hard on special teams for the Giants to this point, earning snaps on defense.
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Brown has already been worked into the fold, seeing his largest workload of the season on Thursday against the Eagles with 12 defensive snaps.
Brown even got into the face of Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz with a quarterback pressure. Brown, 223 pounds, might be light for an NFL edge rusher but has intriguing range and athleticism, making him a versatile option at several different spots.
Then there's Coughlin, who is also on the smaller side for an NFL outside linebacker at just 236 pounds, but who makes up for it with his intelligence and motor.
The schematics of an NFL defense, mixed with the reality of limited snaps, will help Coughlin do what he has come to do best: rush the passer, which he did in playing somewhat out of position.
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Coughlin could use his fresh legs to bend the corner against tired offensive tackles as a situational pass rusher for the Giants. His hustle will allow him to run plays down from behind when others might give up on the play.
The potential is certainly there for the young Giants edge rushers to make their mark on defense as dependable role players. Now, it just requires the faith and instruction of the coaching staff to get them there.
