Every team has a bunch of them this time of 12 months.
The Giants have greater than the norm.
Wide receivers, that’s.
The Giants have 14 of them as they take a break before the beginning of coaching camp, which is able to begin the last week of July.
Once they reconvene, the battle for roster spots on the position figures to be intense, with only a handful of players just about assured of creating the team and nearly all of them needing to indicate they’re healthy enough, productive enough, or each, to remain around.
“Yeah, it’s probably the most important receiver group I’ve been a component of since I’ve been here, but that’s what we wanted to herald,’’ said veteran Sterling Shepard, who suits squarely within the “needs to indicate he’s healthy’’ category.
“We wanted to herald competition. Some guys run from competition, and a few people don’t. We’re definitely going to see what we have now, because we have now plenty of guys that may play some good ball.
“I like the indisputable fact that we added more playmakers. It’s not only on one person to make all of the plays. We’ve got plenty of guys that may do it.’’
There are all sizes and shapes inhabiting the wide receivers room, and at this point there isn’t any bona fide No. 1 goal for quarterback Daniel Jones.
Tight end Darren Waller, acquired in a trade with the Raiders, will likely fill that role.
What the Giants hope is that when the time involves make final cuts, they’re letting go of quality players and keeping desirable talent.
Of the 14 wide receivers, it looks as if just 4 of them are assured (barring anything unexpected) of a spot on the team: returnees Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins, free-agent pickup Parris Campbell and rookie third-round pick Jalin Hyatt.
Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson are each coming off reconstructive ACL surgeries and won’t be rushed this summer.
Shepard said his goal is to be ready for the beginning of the season.
Robinson, injured during Week 11 last season as a rookie, is further behind and is definitely a candidate to start the season on injured reserve.
Jamison Crowder and Jeff Smith were added on one-year deals in free agency but might want to impress the Giants’ coaching staff to make it.
Towering Collin Johnson was carving a spot for himself last summer before he was lost to a torn ACL.
He’s back for one more shot.
David Sills has a history of coaching camp excellence and got into nine games in 2022, but there are many bodies in front of him.
Jaydon Mickens, 29, probably needs to indicate something as a kick returner, as does practice squad stalwart Kalil Pimpleton.
Makai Polk arrives from the Ravens’ practice squad with work to do.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton was undrafted out of West Virginia and immediately became a free-agent priority signing for the Giants.
The footballs will probably be coming fast and furious to those 14 players once camp opens up.
Head coach Brian Daboll prefers to maintain around as many receivers as possible.
“Dabs prefer to have another guy than most teams,’’ wide receivers coach Mike Groh said. “I do think it is sensible, with all of the emphasis on passing, simply to try to avoid wasting just a few steps and keep everybody healthy through everything of camp.’’
It was clearly evident seeing the Giants on the sector this spring that the additions of Campbell, Smith and Hyatt modified the physical qualities of the position group.
“Just top to bottom, they’re much faster,’’ Groh said.
Dependability and flexibility will probably be paramount to rise ahead on this competition.
Campbell, through the organized team activity practices and the minicamp, at times lined up within the backfield and took handoffs.
Perhaps the Giants will attempt to cultivate Campbell — who after three years coping with injury issues, finally put together a healthy season in 2022 for the Colts — within the mold of a Deebo Samuel-type threat
“I did it some in Indy,’’ Campbell said of taking reps at running back. “Nevertheless it’s really my highschool and my college background. It’s not recent to me. It’s something that I’ve done playing football before. Nevertheless it’s also fun for me. It’s something that I prefer to do because they’re using me in other ways.
“I feel like that’s something that I’m good at, too, out on the football field. Getting some reps back there’s good.’’
There will probably be loads of reps for all these guys when camp heats up.
