The New York Giants are one of a very few select NFL teams who does not meet any of the criteria that would allow them to be exempt from appearing on this August's newest season of Hard Knocks on HBO.

According to NFL.com writer Dan Hanzus, the Giants are his pick as the favorite to be featured on the upcoming 14th season of Hard Knocks.

"The Giants are one of the NFL’s signature franchises, and as such, they’ve always seemed to be above the fray of — gasp — reality television," Hanzus wrote. "Then again, it’s not like we’re talking about a “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”-style production ambushing team employees in monocles and white gloves sipping out of diamond-encrusted flutes. Unless that is the scene, in which case, the Giants have to be the choice. In addition to the team’s big-ticket appeal, there are some great stories to track, chief among them the looming end of the Eli era. We could have a young hotshot to push the old QB, which would be extra spicy. There’s also reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Saquon Barkley plus that Odell guy everyone loves to talk about. Sign me up."

The Giants are one of only five teams remain as eligible to be forced into appearing on HBO's Hard Knocks. The Giants are one of them. Before we break down the Giants and the other four teams eligible to be forced into participation, let's break down the criteria the NFL looks for. When it comes to Hard Knocks, the NFL accepts teams who volunteer to be on the show, but that is not often the case. Instead, if no team volunteers, the NFL can force a franchise to participate if they do not meet any of the outlined exemptions for not participating.

NFL teams are safe from being on the show if they meet the following criteria:

1. If you have a first-year head coach, you are exempt.

2. If your team has made the playoffs in either of the past two seasons, you are exempt.

3. If your team has been the featured franchise in Hard Knocks during any of the last 10 years, you are exempt.

The Giants are on one of five teams who does not meet any of the criteria above. In addition to the Giants, here is a breakdown of the four other candidates to appear on this summer's blockbuster series.

The Giants offseason is HERE and the biggest decision is due on March 17th when Eli Manning's roster bonus has to be decided on. Stay up to date with everything Giants by taking a second to sign up for our FREE Giants newsletter!

The Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are most likely the current favorite to appear on this season of Hard Knocks for a number of reasons. For starters, they have arguably the most entertaining head coach in the NFL in Jon Gruden. In addition to Gruden, the Raiders will most likely be adding three first-round draft picks to the roster for this summer (barring any trades). The Raiders do not have any high-profile skill position players set to star on the show unless Marshawn Lynch returns for the 2019 season, but there is plenty of intrigue surrounding them as they enter the 2019 offseason (currently) without a home stadium just one season prior to their Las Vegas move.

The San Francisco 49ers

Previously, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has made it clear that he is not interested in subjecting his team to the drama and distraction he deems Hard Knocks to be. He did so again when asked about the subject during his year-end press conference on December 31, saying (per 49ers.com), “It's a hard, hard, bad stance, Hard Knocks. You will see the worst entertainment possible by me.” Ultimately, the decision is not his to make. The 49ers are another team who isn't exempt from appearing on the show. With the return of Jimmy Garappolo at quarterback, year two of Richard Sherman, and the salary cap space to possibly sign a high-profile free agent, the 49ers would make for an interesting season.

The Detroit Lions

We would imagine Lions head coach Matt Patricia has no interest in appearing on the show as a Bill Belichick disciple, but again, it's not his decision to make. The Lions don't exactly have the high-profile players to make for an interesting season. Also, we would imagine Patricia would do everything in his power to hide as much as possible from the HBO camera crew.

The Washington Redskins

With franchise quarterback Alex Smith uncertain to return in 2019 after a complicated recovery from a serious leg injury, this could lead to drama surrounding the quarterback position. Fans of the show would likely also find entertainment listening to Jon's brother Jay Gruden, owner Dan Snyder, and general manager Bruce Allen. There will likely also be a comeback storyline surrounding 2018 rookie running back Derius Guice who stole the show at training camp last summer before tearing his ACL in the preseason.

The NFL has not decided on which team will appear just yet. Last offseason, the Cleveland Browns were announced as Hard Knocks' 2018 participant in the middle of May.