A fresh season with a different defensive coordinator and a host of new players is bound to bring plenty of intrigue. The Giants, for the second year in a row, are trying to reshape part of their team on the fly.

Organized team activities (OTAs) are the first real look at the 90-man roster, or at least most of it. With the media allowed inside the Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday there was plenty that opened eyes, beginning with Justin Pugh at left guard.

That wasn't all though. Other observations I made from the workout:

* Cullen Jenkins played a lot of defensive end

The veteran defensive tackle took an inordinate number of snaps as a defensive end. This could be for one of two reasons.

1) Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was not at the "voluntary" workout. The Giants view Jenkins as their best answer against the run if Pierre-Paul is out of the lineup.

2) They plan to use Jenkins more as an end on running downs in 2015. This is part of their solution after finishing 30th in the NFL in run defense last year.

With Jenkins pushed outside to right defensive end (Pierre-Paul's spot), defensive tackle Markus Kuhn worked a lot with the first team. It's make-or-break time for Kuhn, who is in the final year of his rookie contract and has made minimal impact during his first three seasons.

* Odell Beckham Jr. is at a different level

Even in a limited OTA workout, it's obvious who the best player is on the field. Beckham moves at a different speed than everybody else, and when he catches the ball it's looks unique. He snatches the ball out of the air. The expectation that he will only improve off his breathtaking rookie season is justified.

Second team ‐ LT Michael Bamiro, LG Brandon Mosley, C Dallas Reynolds, RG Adam Gettis, RT Emmett Cleary

* Players returning punts at practice were Dwayne Harris, Beckham, Rueben Randle, Preston Parker and Ben Edwards.

* With Harris returning punts, the gunners on the punt unit were Josh Gordy and Geramy Davis. Expect both to be used prominently on special teams.

* Injuries Updates

RG Geoff Schwartz (ankle) ‐ He continues to be brought along slowly after ankle surgery late last year. He had six reps in team drills and is full cleared to practice.

LB Devon Kennard (ankle) ‐ He was in uniform and stretched and warmed up with teammates. His injury is not considered serious.

S Nat Berhe (calf) ‐ He was riding the stationary bike and his injury is also considered minor.

DE Robert Ayers (knee/ankle) ‐ He was carted off the field early in practice but no significant damage was found in either the ankle or knee.

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