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New York Giants training camp preview: What will Kadarius Toney's role be?

The Giants would like to see a more consistent season from 2021 first-rounder Kadarius Toney. AP Photo/Seth Wenig

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants open 2022 NFL training camp Tuesday at 1925 Giants Drive. Here's a closer look at a few storylines:

The biggest question: Can the Giants’ playmakers stay on the field? General manager Joe Schoen admitted there is “excitement and stress” for his first training camp. Excitement because they’re trying to build something new and stress because the Giants must keep their players healthy through training camp. The latter didn't happen last year and this spring, when just about every playmaker from WR Kenny Golladay (leg) to WR Kadarius Toney (knee) to WR Sterling Shepard (Achilles) was sidelined by injury. But at least the Giants enter the summer with optimism.

“Hopefully everyone is healthy when they come back to camp,” Schoen said. “Which I’m expecting.”

Toney is the one they’re still crossing their fingers on. His rookie season was chaotic, including multiple injuries and situations, from wearing the wrong-sized cleats to skipping the voluntary offseason program to multiple positive COVID-19 tests. When he’s on the field, he’s super talented. They just have to get him on the field and keep him there.

Who is the player with the most to prove? Toney. The explosive wide receiver was a first-round pick last year. He flashed when healthy against New Orleans and Dallas before injuries compromised the rest of his season. But there were some trade rumors around Toney this offseason. It’s a big summer and season for Toney -- who, remember, was not drafted by this current regime. They are not married to him if things don’t go smoothly. Toney had 39 catches for 420 yards and no touchdowns as a rookie. He missed most of training camp last year. They’re hoping it starts and ends better this season.

Who is the most impactful offseason addition? right tackle Evan Neal. This is the move that could really change the feel and outlook of the Giants. If Neal, the seventh overall pick out of Alabama in this year’s draft, is a high-end tackle, it finally gives Jones a chance. The Giants would have bookend tackles with Andrew Thomas (off a strong season) on the left side and Neal on the right.

The Giants haven’t had a competent offensive line in years. Neal can help change that. He could also help running back Saquon Barkley get his career back on track. This is the one move the Giants absolutely can’t afford to miss on. But after watching this spring, it’s hard to see Neal being a bust.

What will be the fiercest fantasy-relevant battle? Receiver, with Toney vs. Sterling vs. Darius Slayton vs. Wan'Dale Robinson. It will be interesting to see the playing time distribution at this position. Golladay seems the obvious No. 1 receiver, when healthy. Where does everyone else fit in? Who is the primary slot receiver in three-wide-receiver sets? How often will new coach Brian Daboll be rolling out four and five wide receivers?

Toney enters as the early favorite to run the second-most routes of the group, especially with Shepard returning from a serious injury, Slayton not looking like a top choice of the new regime and Robinson a rookie. But the Giants are going to try to keep everyone healthy and there could be a massive rotation that limits everybody’s fantasy relevance. I’ll be watching closely to see if any of the four between Toney, Shepard, Slayton or Robinson distinguish themselves this summer as the clear-cut No. 2 wide receiver. Or if it’s Barkley who will be hoarding the targets.

Camp prediction: The Giants' defense will look really good this summer. Yep, a unit with major questions at three of the five starting spots in the secondary (including nickel cornerback) is going to dominate training camp. New defensive coordinator Wink Martindale actually has some rushers in his aggressive scheme who will test a new-look offensive line and affect the quarterback. First-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux will be back after missing the spring with a minor injury. His first step will be noticeable.

With the Giants and quarterback Daniel Jones still working on timing in their new offense, it will be an advantage to the defense all summer long, just as it was in 2014 when Eli Manning was throwing interceptions left and right (often multiple per day) in learning Ben McAdoo’s new offense before having a strong season.