EAST RUTHERFORD ‐ The Giants draft class took the field Friday for the first time. They were surrounded by priority free-agent signings, some second-year players and hordes of prospects on tryouts who won't eventually be on NFL rosters this year.

Still, it all gets analyzed. It all gets dissected by the coaches and the Giants personnel department. It all eventually gets placed on their permanent record, for better or for worse.

It's more important for some than others. A majority of the players are fighting for a career. The lucky ones are just getting assimilated with the NFL lifestyle.

Nonetheless, it's a practice (albeit without full pads). Here's some of what I saw:

* Let's begin with the player on the field Friday who will be most important to the Giants this season ‐ offensive lineman Ereck Flowers. The first-round pick is huge (6-6, 329) and carries his weight so incredibly well. He moves effortless for a player that size, and it's obvious he's on a different level athletically than the rest of the linemen. Who knows how it translates on the field, but it's easy to see what the Giants like physically. Also of note: Flowers spent most of the practice at left tackle, even if he's likely to play right tackle this season.

* There were a lot of Canadians (12) on the field. They didn't appear overwhelmed, but they did seem a bit smaller than expected. Offensive lineman Brent Jones sure didn't look 6-1, 316.

* Former Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova seemed to throw the ball well. He had good zip and decent accuracy. At 6-1, he also looked small standing next to quarterbacks Taylor Graham (6-4) and Pete Thomas (6-5). Graham is the son of former Giants quarterback Kent Graham. Overall, not a bad day for Nova.

Gary Nova to Geremy Davis. The future of the #Giants? A video posted by Jordan Raanan (@jraanan) on May 8, 2015 at 8:43am PDT

* Cornerback-turned-safety Bennett Jackson looked relatively comfortable at his new position. Maybe even more importantly, he looked healthy. Jackson was running without any noticeable impediments after missing most of last year following microfracture surgery. After the minicamp practice, Jackson said he's surprised at the lack of soreness he's had with the affected knee.

* Rookie fifth-round safety Mykkele Thompson needs to put on some muscle. He looked awfully skinny. He's listed at 6-0, 193, but resembles a much thinner version of former Giants safety Kenny Phillips.

NFL DRAFT:

Full coverage of the 2015 draft

Jordan Raanan may be reached at jraanan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.