New York Giants: Five players on defense who could surprise in camp
By Ed Stein
New York Giants training camp is here. Every season, a few players rise above of obscurity and force their way onto the roster. Here are some defensive candidates who could make a name for themselves this summer.
Rookies reported to New York Giants training camp on Monday, followed by the veterans on Wednesday. Practices begin at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center the following day. This year there are plenty of roster spots up for grabs.
Not many players should be guaranteed to make the team coming off a 5-11 season. As a matter of fact, maybe 15 defensive players are locks going into camp. Everyone else must fight for their spot on the final 53-man roster. Of course injuries happen and even more, opportunities may arise. These are some players from the defense who could break out this summer.
Honorable Mention
Avery Moss, DE – Moss was selected by Big Blue in round five of the 2018 draft from Youngstown State. He probably would have been drafted higher, had he not been kicked out of and barred from Nebraska for public indecency three years earlier.
A good athlete, aside from football, the Compton, CA native was heavily recruited to play college basketball. As a defensive end, he plays longer than his 6-3 frame due to his wingspan. Additionally, Moss has a very strong lower body which allows him to fire off the line with power. What holds him back is his lack of skill and poor technique.
Kenny Ladler, S – The 27-year-old looks like a prototype NFL safety at 6-1 and close to 210 pounds. He broke into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Buffalo in 2014. It was a one year stint as Ladler spent the next three seasons in the CFL. Last summer, he came back to the States first with Washington and then the New York Giants. In five games for Big Blue, the former Vanderbilt Commodore made six stops.
There are faster defensive backs, so his situational awareness and game IQ must improve. Additionally, he can hit and isn’t afraid to take on ball carriers but doesn’t initiate contact enough to stand out. Ladler also backpedals quite often in coverage to make up for his lack of speed. What should earn him a spot on the roster is his special teams play.