The New York Giants are currently 0-4 at the quarter-point of the season. Big Blue welcomed 10 rookies back in April. Their progression is key for this franchise and the front office. Let’s look at how well each player has done so far.
Big Blue Rookie Report: 2020 First Quarter
Offensive Tackle Andrew Thomas (1st round, 4th overall)
Other than two snaps against the 49ers, Andrew Thomas has played all of the offensive snaps for Big Blue at left tackle. Aa quarter-way through Thomas is a mixed bag.
His first start against the Pittsburgh Steelers was decent. The offensive line suffered. However, Thomas played the best out of the starting five. As Weeks 2-4 went on, Thomas started experiencing more struggles.
So far, Thomas has given up 19 pressures and three sacks to start the season at left tackle. Not what you would expect from a 4th overall pick. Before Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams, he was second in pressures allowed in the NFL. First was Bobby Hart, current Cincinnati Bengals and former Giants’ right tackle. Now Andrew Thomas leads the NFL in pressures allowed.
Many are getting Ereck Flowers flashbacks. Even though Thomas struggled to start the season, there is no reason to give up hope now. The offensive line improved their play coming out of the second half vs the Rams last week. Many have to remember that all the pieces are not set yet. Matt Peart still needs to be evaluated at right tackle, as Cameron Fleming is not the long-term answer. There also needs to be an evaluation for fifth-round pick, Shane Lemieux.
Overall, Thomas has had his ups and downs four games into the season. Some plays show promise and failure. There are 12 scheduled games left, so there is no need to worry. At least not right now.
Safety Xavier McKinney (2nd round, 36th overall)
The New York Giants placed rookie safety Xavier McKinney on injured reserve on September 6th, 2020 with a fractured foot. He is expected to be back after the Giants’ bye week, which is Week 11.
Offensive Tackle Matt Peart (3rd round, 99th overall)
Rookie Matt Peart has played very little to start the season as expected. Peart played two snaps at left tackle against the San Francisco 49ers when Andrew Thomas left the game with an injury.
He got an appearance week later as the Giants sat veteran right tackle, Cam Fleming, towards halftime. Peart has played a total of 14 snaps to start the season. At some point, they had to give the rookie some time to play. Shane Lemieux’s spotlight will likely come later in the season.
Whether Big Blue starts winning or keeps losing moving forward, the snaps will increase for Peart. Then the coaches will evaluate if he is the future right tackle of the franchise.
Cornerback Darnay Holmes (4th round, 110th overall)
No off-season hurts many and that bunch includes Darnay Holmes. Many expected Holmes to start immediately coming out of the gate because he had a great training camp.
However, the polar opposite happened when Holmes stepped on the field. Stemming from the second half of the Week 1 matchup against Pittsburgh, quarterbacks pick on Holmes frequently in the passing game. His run-defense skills also have not been the greatest as he has missed several opportunities to tackle the running back.
Holmes’ snap count fluctuated from Week 1 on. He played 73 percent of the snaps in Week 1, 38 percent of the snaps Week 2, 35 percent of the snaps Week 3 against San Francisco, and back up to 58 percent against the Rams in Week 4.
As far as pass defense goes, opposing quarterbacks have completed 10 passes on 15 targets against Holmes. He has not given up a touchdown yet but has allowed 112 yards and an 88.7 passer rating.
Holmes, going forward, needs more time to develop. Signing a veteran to play cornerback, like Ross Cockrell, would have helped Holmes ease into the NFL atmosphere. It is a wait-and-see project for Holmes and Big Blue moving forward
Offensive Guard Shane Lemieux (5th round, 150th overall)
The New York Giants ruled Shane Lemieux “a healthy scratch” against the Steelers in Week 1. From then on, he was active for all the games leading up to Week 4 against the Rams. He played one snap at fullback in the first quarter. Other than that, Lemieux has yet to see extended snaps and playing time.
Linebacker Cam Brown (6th round, 183rd overall)
Cam Brown has not been on the field for any defensive snaps as of yet through four games. However, his special teams snaps have increased week by week starting in Week 2. He was a healthy scratch in Week 1.
Brown played 45 percent of the special teams snaps in Week 2, 84 percent of the special teams snaps in Week 3, and 87 percent of the snaps in Week 4. Brown has been one of the main gunners filling in for Cody Core, who is on injured reserve.
Linebacker Carter Coughlin (7th round, 218th overall)
The rookie out of Minnesota was ruled inactive Weeks 2 and 4 against the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams. Coughlin, like some of the other rookies, has played his share of snaps on special teams. He played 46 percent of special teams snaps against the Steelers and 48 percent of special teams snaps against the 49ers. Coughlin, like Brown, has yet to see defensive snaps.
Linebacker T.J. Brunson (7th round, 238th overall)
Brunson is yet to be active for an NFL game, as he has been a healthy scratch for Big Blue in each game up to this point.
Defensive Back Chris Williamson (7th round, 248th overall)
Williamson is stationed on the Giants’ practice squad. He has yet to be brought onto the Giants’ active roster.
Linebacker Tae Crowder (7th round, 255th overall)
Crowder is the only seventh-round pick to get defensive snaps. Though he was inactive against the Steelers in Week 1, from Week 2 on, Crowder played on special teams. He played 33 defensive snaps against the Rams in Week 4. That included three tackles and a near interception off Jared Goff. Unfortunately, the ball hit the ground.
With how unexpectedly well Crowder played in Week 4, it is safe to say he will get more snaps moving forward. He played more snaps than fellow linebacker Devante Downs, who won a roster spot over Ryan Connelly.
Rookie Report
Progression will be key for these rookies and Big Blue in general, especially when it comes to Dave Gettleman‘s general manager job.
Rookie first-round tackle Andrew Thomas and fourth-round pick Darnay Holmes have shown flashes, but have struggled so far in their first four games in different fashions. Xavier McKinney has yet to come off injured reserve. Offensive linemen Matt Peart and Shane Lemieux are expected to get more snaps moving forward. Carter Coughlin has yet to get defensive snaps. T.J. Brunson has yet to be active for an NFL game. Chris Williamson is yet to be activated from the practice squad. Tae Crowder has impressed for a seventh-round pick that is still making the transition to linebacker.
