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Giants we need to see more of over the final nine games

Looking at young players needs to be part of Giants’ agenda over remainder of season

NFL: New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jerell Adams
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

With nine games remaining in what has already become a going-nowhere 1-6 season, one of the few beneficial things the New York Giants can do over the remainder of the season is to get some playing time for young players to find out who might be part of their future.

I’m not going to discuss quarterback Davis Webb here. We have done that enough. I am also going to skip running back Wayne Gallman. He has been part of the rotation for a few weeks now, and there is no reason that won’t continue.

Let’s look at some of the other young players on the roster the Giants might be able to find out about as the remainder of the season unfolds.

Avery Moss

The fifth-round pick became part of the defensive line rotation with Olivier Vernon sidelined and Romeo Okwara on IR. Moss had a forced fumble against the Seattle Seahawks and has flashed some pass-rush ability. The Giants need another pass rusher to emerge, and that means they need to see more of Moss.

Calvin Munson and Curtis Grant

The Giants have only one linebacker, B.J. Goodson, under contract for next season. Obviously, they need more than that. Munson has flashed some ability in run defense during the 94 snaps he has played, mostly in relief of Goodson and Jonathan Casillas when they were hurt. Grant, who began the season on the practice squad, has played 35 snaps. Can either, or both, be part of the linebacking corps in 2018?

Chad Wheeler

Bobby Hart does not appear to be the answer at right tackle. Justin Pugh has been an upgrade, but in my view he would still be better off at left tackle. And the Giants would be better off with him there. Getting Wheeler some playing time could help the Giants determine how high of a priority offensive tackle needs to be in the offseason.

Jerell Adams and Matt LaCosse

There were raves about Adams, the 2016 sixth-round pick, during training camp. Yet, he has played only 37 snaps. LaCosse, a preseason star for three years, is finally on the team. But barely, He has played only 26 snaps. Rhett Ellison is a pro and a really nice guy, but the Giants aren’t getting a whole lot for the $8 million they guaranteed him on a four-year, $18 million deal. Adams, in particular, could be a better player.

Donte Deayon

Can a 5-foot-9, 163-pound player really be an effective slot corner in the NFL? Deayon is on the active roster and has held his own in 62 snaps over two games. The Giants need to keep running him out there to find out if he can do the job.