EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- If Tuesday was any indication, the New York Giants are going to receive major contributions this season from the 2017 draft class.
First-round pick Evan Engram and second-round pick Dalvin Tomlinson were two of the best players on the field during the two-plus-hour practice. Fifth-round defensive end Avery Moss was also having success before leaving with a shoulder injury.
Engram caught three passes from starting quarterback Eli Manning in live periods -- including a long touchdown in the two-minute drill -- and Tomlinson had success against the first- and second-team offensive lines. Tomlinson spent the entire afternoon in the backfield.
"He flashed a few times," coach Ben McAdoo said after practice. "I will get in there and take a look at the tape here, but he did flash. He's working on his transition rush and it is certainly showing up on the field."
My clips from practice showed it was more than a few times. It was constant throughout practice.
At one point, Tomlinson blew up a run play while working against the first-team offensive line. He got the better of starting right guard John Jerry on that play. He worked guard D.J. Fluker on another. Tomlinson did it with power, but has also shown a nice burst off the line of scrimmage and surprising pass-rush ability. He pushed the pocket on more than one occasion.
The Alabama product seems to be coming on at just the right time. Defensive tackle Robert Thomas has been sidelined the past two days with an injury. Thomas, Jay Bromley, Corbin Bryant and Tomlinson are the primary candidates to win the starting job opposite Damon Harrison. But while Bromley appears to be in the lead, Tomlinson is coming on strong.
It must be that point in training camp where the rookies are starting to feel more comfortable. For the second straight day, Engram was one of the top offensive players on the field. He made a big play working across the field during live drills and later closed out practice with a long touchdown deep down the middle as the offense got revenge for the previous day in the two-minute drill.
Engram caught that pass from Manning with linebacker B.J. Goodson in good coverage and right on his hip. The rookie tight end again made his presence felt.
"He's had a really good summer so far and the last few days he's turned it loose," general manager Jerry Reese told The Michael Kay Show on ESPN New York 98.7. "He's started to make some plays there and the quarterbacks are beginning to have more confidence in him and he's having more confidence in himself."
Engram appears to be receiving more and more reps, especially when the Giants are working on red zone, third down or two-minute situations. That's where he's doing most of his damage.
After one more practice Wednesday, they will see if the success translates to games. The Giants open the preseason on Friday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Other practice notables:
The backup quarterback competition seems to be swinging back and forth. Josh Johnson worked with the third-string offense but had the better day of the two quarterbacks. Geno Smith struggled with the second team, especially in the red zone. Smith's arm isn't the problem, and his accuracy has improved as camp has progressed. But he seemed to be holding onto the ball too long on Tuesday. It's almost as if he's waiting for receivers to get open rather than anticipating before they're open. Johnson, meanwhile, displayed nice touch on a pair of deep balls, although his day ended when he held onto the ball too long and the play was whistled for a sack on a Hail Mary.
The offensive line opened holes for a pair of quality runs by Paul Perkins and Orleans Darkwa. It also had its struggles, even against a second-team defense littered with third-stringers because of injuries. Tomlinson ruined one play with his push up the middle, linebacker Deontae Skinner dashed into the backfield to ruin another and Moss flew past left tackle Ereck Flowers several plays later during the 11-on-11 drill. There still seems to be reasons for concern with this running game, and the unit as a whole.
It wasn't the best practice for Fluker. He had some rough reps, both at guard (against Tomlinson) with the second team and tackle with the third team. Fluker had started camp well.
Mike Nugent took his turn in the kicking competition and made all four of his kicks when put on the spot during a special-teams drill. His longest was 44 yards. McAdoo said both Aldrick Rosas and Nugent have kicked well and it will be a "tight competition."
Undrafted rookie wide receiver Travis Rudolph caught three passes and had another strong outing. He's not especially big or strong but does run crisp routes and works himself open. Rudolph might not earn himself a roster spot (barring injuries to others), but he's making a case for the practice squad with his play this summer.
Undrafted rookie wide receiver Keeon Johnson also flashed. He made a tremendous leaping catch near the sideline and later broke free for a big gain deep down the right sideline.
