Daniel Fells

Tight end Daniel Fells has made an impression on the Giants this year.

(Frances Micklow/The Star-Ledger)

EAST RUTHERFORD -- It's still July, the Giants have yet to put on pads and roster spots are a long way from being decided.

Still, there's still plenty to deduce from the first few days of Giants training camp. The depth chart (unofficial, of course) and our eyes tell us who has made a favorable impression on the coaching staff and front office during OTAs, minicamp and the first few days of camp.

Here's the 7 Giants that stood out to us most:

TE Daniel Fells: It's not an accident that Fells was the first tight end on the field Tuesday and Wednesday. The Giants were in running situations and like Fells' ability as a blocker.

CB Bennett Jackson: The Giants loved his physicality and have rewarded him with spots on a few special teams so far. Though we're not sure he'll see the field much this year, the former Notre Damer is an early candidate to lead the team in special teams tackles alongside Nat Berhe.

LB Devon Kennard: The Giants think so highly of the fifth-round pick that he is pegged right now as a starter at strongside linebacker. He's also the backup middle linebacker, ahead of veteran Mark Herzlich.

DT Mike Patterson: It was generally assumed that Johnathan Hankins would immediately jump into the spot vacated by Linval Joseph's departure. Not so fast. Patterson has been the first-team defensive tackle alongside Cullen Jenkins.

K Brandon McManus: The kicker could save the Giants some money by upsetting Josh Brown this preseason, and he might be able to win them some games, too. The two kickers have been going neck and neck this summer, but McManus turned some heads after blasting a pair of 40-yard field goals over the portable video deck behind the uprights.

CB Charles James: Last year's underdog favorite spent the offseason studying his playbook and is ready to climb into the fourth or fifth cornerback spot this year. He'll be competing against Trumaine McBride, Zack Bowman and a few others, and James, like Jackson, will play across most special teams.

RB Andre Williams: Coach Tom Coughlin likes the B.C. product, particularly the way he runs hard and fast. Williams, a fourth-round pick this year, is being used as the Giants' goal-line back.