New York Giants

New York Giants: 2016 Rookies progress report

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:57 p.m. ET

Fansided, Melissa Falica/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

With one season under their belts, where does the New York Giants 2016 rookie class stand heading into 2017?

The past couple of weeks have been filled with projections regarding the 2017 New York Giants rookie and undrafted free agent classes. That all starts with what these players have been doing at OTAs and what they'll be doing at mandatory minicamp. But at this time last year, what headlines were the 2016 rookie and undrafted free agent class making?

At this time in 2016, Ed Valentine published a Big Blue View article on the Giants 2016 headlines heading into the mandatory minicamp. His top headlines were as follows:

For good or bad reasons, the focus was placed on those Giants rookies and "newbies" for a reason. Now one year later, staring straight down the barrel of the New York Giants' 2017 mandatory mini-camp, how are these names faring?

Dec 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) gets a first down in front of Dallas Cowboys free safety Byron Jones (31) in the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Sterling Shepard

The rave reviews Sterling Shepard garnered at last year's rookie and mandatory minicamps were well deserved. He came out guns-blazing in his rookie season, finishing with eight touchdowns and 683 yards while playing alongside a pure athletic freak (Odell Beckham Jr., in case you couldn't figure that one out). The buzz around him continues this offseason, as him and Eli Manning are like two peas in a pod, connecting for long passes and touchdowns left-and-right.

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If that's not enough to make Giants fans love and appreciate the guy — last year's performance is still not satisfying enough for him. When asked what his areas of improvement lie, Shepard responded with (per NFL.com):

"I feel like I could have gotten a lot more YAC (yards after catch) yardage last year. That's something that I looked at on film and I want to get better on."

What more can you ask for in a wide receiver?

Increasing his YAC would further separate Shepard from a very crowded Giants receiving corps as he will be competing for catches with Beckham, Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram. So he will have to make the most out of each and every pass he receives. Giants fans should be excited to see how much more Shepard brings to the table this year, as he has some serious potential.

Dec 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Paul Perkins (28) runs over Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) in the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Paul Perkins

Paul Perkins might have missed OTAs last season, but I think it goes without saying that he has recovered fairly well.

With Rashad Jennings' departure, head coach Ben McAdoo quickly named Paul Perkins the 2017 starting running back for the Giants. Perkins may not have scored any touchdowns last season for the Gmen, but he averaged 4.1 yards per carry and finished off the regular season with 112 carries for 456 yards. Sure, the stats aren't nearly all that impressive, but running back coach Craig Johnson knew after last season that Perkins was something special, per NJ.com:

"I think as he progressed last season you started seeing flashes that he needed to get more time on the field. We gave him more time on the field later and he showed a lot of the things that you're looking for from a guy that can be a starter in the league."

Like Shepard, Perkins is humble and knows that there is much more work on his end to be done to not only better himself, but the overall team, per northjersey.com.

"Every goal I've had, I have gone after, I've been able to compete and go get it. You want to be the best, and that doesn't just go for me, but for our entire team – let's do everything we can to make it happen."

This is Perkins' time to shine — his year to take the starting running back role and make it his own. With an offensive line that supposedly has shown some improvement, an increased number of deep threats at the wide receiver position and additional blocking support in players brought in such as Rhett Ellison, Perkins will have more holes to barrel through and leave defenses in the dust.

Jun 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants safety Darian Thompson (27) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) during organized team activities at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Darian Thompson and Nat Berhe

Different year, same story.

With the New York Giants looking stacked at the safety position, Darian Thompson and Nat Berhe are facing the same battle they did last year. Thompson has been making a name for himself so far in OTAs after coming off of season-ending ankle surgery in 2016. Berhe had an injury-plagued 2016 as well with concussion problems, but is back and ready to compete. But will their efforts be enough to compete with Andrew Adams and Duke Ihenacho for the starting spot opposite of Landon Collins?

Prior to his 2016 injury, Thompson was the favorite to start next to Collins. This time around, it is not that easy for the team to come out and guarantee that, as Adams shined while filling in for Thompson in 2016. Despite the uncertainty and frustration, Thompson still looks back on his time spent on the sidelines as beneficial to his growth, per Giants Wire:

"It was extremely frustrating, but at the same time, I got to learn a whole lot last year. So I kind of look at it as a redshirt year in college, and I just took that time to better myself as a player and as a teammate to get ready for this year coming up."

Berhe is going to have the most obstacles to overcome in his attempts at the position, with safeties coach Dave Merritt focusing particularly on his tackling style. Changing something so crucial to Berhe's success at the position is not going to be easy, but due to his concussion issues, Merritt believes it is crucial to "take the head out of it", per the NY Daily News.

The extent to which doing so will effect his game is yet to be seen, but the change is needed in his case and is largely being taught and accepted around the league. Hopefully, the time Berhe takes to adapt to this new style will not hinder his chance at locking down that role at safety.

Nov 14, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants tight end Jerell Adams (89) catches a touchdown pass from New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) (not shown) during the first half of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Jerell Adams

Giants fans may not think Jerell Adams impressed all that much last season. But let's face it: The tight end squad, in general, was less than impressive and Eli Manning was playing behind the equivalent of one massive piece of Swiss cheese. The guy had barely any time to even throw to Adams and the rest of the Giants receiving weapons. With that being said though, Adams playing time increased as the Giants 2016 progressed.

This year will be different for Adams — guaranteed. He has already impressed at OTAs with his speed and athleticism and his hands haven't been an issue. Let's not disregard the fact that Adams' potential is two-fold. Not only is he a receiving threat, but he is a proven blocker as well. He is young, eager, ready and willing to improve on both of those skills to help the team in any way needed, per Giants Wire:

"Getting bigger and putting on more weight," Adams said. "I want to work on my blocking and my route running, getting down the seam and making tough catches. I felt like I could have blocked a lot better. My technique is the most important thing."

That is exactly what makes Jerell Adams so valuable to the New York Giants. He is a threat in so many different aspects of the offense, is aware of that fact and is constantly working to improve himself.

Aug 12, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants outside linebacker B.J. Goodson (93) tackles Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) during the first half of the preseason game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

B.J. Goodson

If the season were to start today, B.J. Goodson would more than likely serve as the starting middle linebacker for the Giants. Not only has Goodson impressed many this offseason, but surprised many with his work ethic when he began training for 2017 shortly after the Giants loss to the Packers back in January.

Not only is New York Giants veteran Jonathan Casillas working with Goodson to teach him the "tricks of the trade," but Giants Pro Bowl middle linebacker Antonio Pierce has also taken Goodson under his wing, per ESPN:

"He's always dropping advice and knowledge on me," Goodson said. "He drops a lot of knowledge on me. So it isn't one particular thing that I could tell you that he does, but he's always telling me whether it's formation recognition or any little thing. The details. He's always on me about the details, but he does a great job of helping me, and [I] really appreciate it."

There is no better player to guide Goodson in this particular opportunity than Pierce. Remember, Pierce was the middle linebacker for the 2007 Super Bowl winning New York Giants defense under Steve Spagnuolo. Another guarantee — barring serious injury — the 2017 New York Giants will make one heck of a run to this year's Super Bowl. Goodson has the opportunity to be the next Antonio Pierce this year. So why not learn from Pierce himself?

Goodson truly does have the opportunity of a lifetime this year to make his imprint at the middle linebacker position and from what has been said about him so far this offseason, the sky is the limit for this guy.

Sep 1, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney (36) is tackled by New York Giants defensive back Donte Deayon (38) during second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Donte Deayon

Despite his small stature, standing only at 5-9 and about 160 pounds, Donte Deayon plays a big game. After all, the guy did record 17 interceptions in his four years at Boise State, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Fast forward to earlier this month, where Deayon found himself taking first-team reps when Eli Apple and Janoris Jenkins were held out of OTAs. He must have done something right that day, drawing praise from head coach Ben McAdoo, according to Big Blue View:

"He did a nice job out there today. He's been doing a nice job all offseason."

Based on his size and the ongoing battle for the New York Giants backup cornerback spots, it is most definitely not going to be an easy ride for Deayon to lock down a roster spot and he knows that, per NJ.com:

"I'm trying to make plays day-in and day-out because I know being undersized you can't just be average."

However, with plenty of time left before the season begins, he is doing all of the right things while turning heads and leaving an imprint in the minds of those around him. His speed makes him a dangerous weapon that allows him to catch up with receivers in the blink of an eye and break up big plays. In addition, Deayon's confidence in his play remains an asset that many others his size simply do not have.