Giants rookies in focus

With three weeks of practice and one preseason game in the book, there is enough of a body of work to start to evaluate the Giants' rookie class. Here's a progress report on the team's six draft picks and a few undrafted free agents who have emerged as potential contributors:

(Hit the share button above to send this to a fellow Giants fan)

Don't Edit

Eli Apple breaks up a pass to Cruz in the end zone #Giants pic.twitter.com/KgYuEIEnJw — Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 6, 2016

CB Eli Apple

As the team's first-round draft pick (and No. 10 overall), Apple has been under scrutiny. Aside from a tendency to grab receivers, Apple has looked the part of a top pick with his length and strength. He has received extensive work with the first-team defense. Apple has been sidelined this week with a minor knee injury, but he should be expected to step in as an instant contributor this season.

Don't Edit

Sterling Shepard looks good running route against DRC #Giants pic.twitter.com/Eahp8TttLj — Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 14, 2016

WR Sterling Shepard

The Giants picked Shepard with the 40th selection in the draft and he looks like he might be a steal. Shepard has worked with the first-team offense in the slot and outside from the start of camp and appears ready to be a No. 2 option to Odell Beckham Jr. Shepard is an excellent route runner with good quickness and reliable hands. The emergence of Shepard has made the uncertainty surrounding Victor Cruz's health less of a concern.

Don't Edit

Brad Penner | AP Photo

FS Darian Thompson

Like Shepard, Thompson has been a starter from Day 1. The third-round pick hasn't made any big plays in camp, but he also hasn't surrendered any. The most important thing that can be said about Thompson is that he always seems to be in the right place and he has handled the responsibility of making calls.

Don't Edit

Ray Stubblebine | AP Photo

LB B.J. Goodson

With veterans Jasper Brinkley and Kelvin Sheppard battling for the starting middle linebacker job, the Giants can afford to bring Goodson along slowly. The fourth-round pick out of Clemson has mostly worked with the third-team during the preseason. Goodson has good size and strength, but it will take time before he is ready to be the leader of the defense. Fortunately for Goodson and the Giants, there are veterans options in place.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Paul Perkins in action earlier today pic.twitter.com/WmdFIf6wia — Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 17, 2016

RB Paul Perkins

Perkins flashed with a few nice runs early in training camp, but his reps are limited in a crowded backfield full of veterans. Perkins has had fewer carries in recent practices, but he ran hard in the preseason opener with 36 yards on seven carries. He has shown good quickness and an ability to make one hard cut to break through the line.

Perkins is behind Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams and Shane Vereen right now. It's tough to see Perkins getting many carries this season unless those veterans struggle/get injured.

Don't Edit

WATCH: TE Jerell Adams down the sideline at #Giants practice https://t.co/1lAM5rj2aV — New York Giants (@Giants) August 18, 2016

TE Jerell Adams

The Giants knew they weren't getting a finished product when they drafted Adams in the sixth round. The 6-foot-5, 247-pounder is still adjusting to the NFL game, but he has shown signs of progress recently. Adams has a good combination of size and speed, which he has used to make a few catches downfield in camp. Adams should develop into more of a receiving threat as he gains comfort in the offense.

Don't Edit

Roger Lewis with TD pass in 2-minute drill. #Giants pic.twitter.com/cksH8fpR3g — James Kratch (@JamesKratch) August 15, 2016

WR Roger Lewis

The undrafted free agent out of Bowling Green has turned heads in training camp. The 6-foot, 196-pound Lewis has used his speed to catch a number of deep balls in camp. Lewis also has shown a knack for making catches in traffic. Of all of the undrafted free agents, Lewis has been the most impressive. With Victor Cruz's status uncertain, Lewis could force his way onto the roster.

Don't Edit

BIG PLAY ALERT! Ryan Nassib goes deep to Darius Powe! #GiantsCamp https://t.co/vCh2hRc0wt — New York Giants (@Giants) August 6, 2016

WR Darius Powe

Powe is another undrafted wide receiver making a push for a roster spot. Powe adds a dimension to the passing game with his 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame. He has used his exceptional catch radius to make contested catches downfield in camp and he has the size to be an effective receiver on underneath routes. Powe looks like an NFL receiver, but the number crunch may keep him off the Giants roster.

Don't Edit

CB Donte Deayon

Deayon is more than an underdog story at this point. It's easy to root for the 5-foot-9, 158-pound cornerback, but it has become apparent that Deayon has some big skills. He is very quick and plays much stronger than his size would indicate. With Apple sidelined, Deayon has seen some recent work with the first-team nickel defense in the slot and outside. There are times when Deayon's size limitations are exploited, but his competitiveness mitigates that disadvantage.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

#Giants TE/Jersey guy Ryan Malleck got a dive today during team drills. pic.twitter.com/zlxCHjPBfJ — James Kratch (@JamesKratch) August 15, 2016

TE Ryan Malleck

The biggest thing working against Malleck is the Giants' depth at tight end. Larry Donnell and Will Tye are locks to make the roster. Beyond that, Matt LaCosse is ahead of Malleck on the depth chart. Malleck is most likely battling Adams for a roster spot, and it seems unlikely that the Giants would keep an undrafted free agent over a draft pick. The 6-foot-4, 249-pound Malleck is a very solid tight end. He has the versatility to line up in the backfield and he has shown reliable hands as a receiver. But the Giants might not have room for him.

Don't Edit

James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The best of the rest

The Giants have a deep group of undrafted free agents who have flashed potential at various times. That group includes linebacker Ishaq Williams (pictured), defensive tackle Greg Milhouse and defensive end Romeo Okwara. It seems unlikely that any of those players will make the active roster, but they could earn practice squad invites.

Don't Edit

Talk Is Cheap

Listen to the latest episode of the "Talk Is Cheap" podcast. We discuss the futures of Eli Manning and Victor Cruz.