Which Giants have gained most in camp, who needs to start making noise

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – New York Giants coach John Harbaugh has indicated every summer that he believes the second week of training camp always proves to be the most challenging for every one.

That begins here Monday afternoon when the team returns from its only off day of this 11-practice schedule at The Greenbrier Resort and puts the pads on for the first time. Week 1 of Giants training camp is in the books, and the usual suspects are off to strong starts. Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese are commanding the middle of the field. Abdul Carter has battled All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas play after play after play.

On offense, Isaiah Likely has emerged as Jaxson Dart‘s favorite target as anticipated, flashing his underappreciated skill as a route runner. Dart and Cam Skattebo have also had their moments, and the offensive line will relish their first chance to prove how physical they can be when the hitting starts this week.

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Let’s run down which Giants players gained the most so far and made their case for more opportunities, and who needs to start stepping up? It’s still early, but the clock is ticking.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder brings a different profile to the offense for Dart as a target. His presence on the perimeter has been an asset with and without the football in his hands. And Fields has stood out in camp so far. His 50-yard catch from Dart on the first play of Saturday’s team drills was outstanding, and his route tree has been impressive.

Berrios has shown off his precise route running and great feel for playing out of the slot. He is fully recovered from an injury-plagued 2025 campaign and is now two years post-ACL. Watch out for Berrios once the Giants start their special teams return work.

Here’s a pleasant surprise: the sixth-rounder from BYU has made plays in coverage and has shown great awareness in shooting the gaps. He’s really opened some eyes.

The 34-year-old is back at The Greenbrier, as he camped out here once before in 2016 with the Saints, and he certainly looks at home. Manhertz’s value is as a blocker, but he has shown off his hands with multiple catches in all four of the practice sessions to this point.

Newsome was really good in the early stages of last season in Cleveland before he got banged up and was ultimately traded to Jacksonville, and his game flipped in a bad way. So far with the Giants, the 26-year-old is earning a lot of reps both on the boundary and in the slot. He’s going to put pressure on the rest of the corner room.

Slayton was on the field as promised when camp started after rehabbing most of the spring workouts due to sports hernia surgery. He had a difficult season a year ago, and his drops have been a constant in his career. It’s not that Slayton is on the bubble – he’s a glue guy – but as far as opportunities go, if he’s on the field, he has to be productive.

Phillips brings a physicality to the field as a nickel and he’s not afraid to mix it up in the box, so maybe his time to shine will come this week. But Phillips has been quiet, and in a numbers’ game, if he wants to keep his starting spot, the competition starts now.

Smith-Schuster appears to be running a slow and steady race. Not sure he has even caught a pass this past week, but there is value in being a quiet presence and in the right spot in the run game. Still, this competition is only going to get tougher and it won’t hurt Smith-Schuster’s chances if he becomes more of a visible part in the passing game.

If Adebo is going to be the top corner for this defense, he needs to make plays. Saturday’s Pick 6 off an Edmunds tipped pass is absolutely a start. But too many passes have been completed with him either in coverage or in the area. I want to see him assert himself, and maybe that happens this week when the competition heats up.