Jordan Raanan | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The pressure is on

The Giants' new investments could make others expendable. It's just the way it works in the NFL.

Draft picks have a built-in advantage. They're (for the most part) not going anywhere their rookie year. They'll receive time to develop.

That means the clock starts ticking on others. And the pressure is on these seven Giants this season.



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Bill Perlman | NJ Advance Media

TE Larry Donnell

He's coming off a neck injury and didn't make the jump the Giants were hoping last year as a blocker. Now Donnell is the highest-paid tight end on the roster ($1.671 million for 2016) and needs to prove he's worth it with up-and-comer Will Tye and sixth-round draft pick Jerell Adams on the roster, among others.

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Photo by John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

RB Andre Williams

Fifth-round pick Paul Perkins and free agent signing Bobby Rainey make the competition in the running back room intense. Williams must prove that 2.9 yards per carry last year was an anomaly.

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Photo by John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

RB Orleans Darkwa

Williams isn't the only running back with something to prove. After flashing promise last year, Orleans Darkwa needs to show the Giants he's deserving of a more substantial role and a roster spot.

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S Nat Berhe

We could've picked any of the three safeties returning from injury. Berhe gets the nod because he's a fifth-round pick in his third year. It's make-or-break time.

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LB Kelvin Sheppard

When Sheppard was signed, he already faced stiff competition with Jasper Brinkley and Keenan Robinson at middle linebacker. Add fourth-round pick B.J. Goodson (whom the Giants believe can play all three linebacker positions) and the fight for a job becomes more intense. With only $80K guaranteed at signing, Sheppard is expendable.

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WR Geremy Davis

Second-round pick Sterling Shepard was added to the wide receiver mix, where Davis already had some work to do. Davis was inactive last season in Week 17 in favor of Ben Edwards, and as a sixth-round pick from 2015, he's not guaranteed a roster spot. He has to go out and prove his worth.

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CB Trevin Wade

Nothing has ever been handed to Wade. That's not going to change now. The Giants drafted a cornerback in the first round and are looking at veteran options for the slot in free agency. Wade will have to prove all over again he's worthy of both a roster spot and playing time.

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TALK IS CHEAP, Ep. 51: In-depth analysis of Giants' draft

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