Davis Webb
Robby Sabo, ESNY Graphic, Getty Images

One of the main storylines heading into New York Giants training camp and the preseason will be the progression of second-year quarterback Davis Webb.

After a five-week break following minicamp, the New York Giants will report to training camp on Wednesday to begin the franchise’s 94th season in the NFL.

There are a ton of storylines heading into training camp such as the transition from 4-3 to 3-4 under new defensive coordinator James Bettcher. Another storyline poses the question of whether or not the Giants will allow Odell Beckham Jr. to participate in contact drills, and lastly, how the Giants revamp offensive line holds up as time marches on.

But one of the most intriguing storylines heading into camp revolves around Davis Webb and his level of progression from year one to his sophomore campaign.

The Giants took Webb in the third round of the 2017 draft (87th overall) with the intention that he would be the heir apparent to Eli Manning.

But after Webb did not take a single snap in the Giants disastrous 3-13 season and the regime that drafted him in Jerry Reese and Ben McAdoo being relieved of their duties, many felt Webb’s future with the Giants was bleak.

The new regime of head coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman showed that they had faith that Webb could be the eventual successor to Manning by simply not selecting a quarterback with the second pick in the draft.

So far, the Giants faith in Webb has paid off in more ways than one as they took running back Saquon Barkley with the second pick in the draft and he has been the most impressive Giant throughout OTAs and minicamp, as well as one of the favorites to win Rookie of the Year. After Barkley, the Giant who has been the most impressive in the offseason is arguably Webb, who has made huge strides in just one calendar year. He even took reps with the first team offense on the final day of minicamp.

With the way he’s performed, Webb clearly has a grasp on that backup job to Manning ahead of rookie Kyle Lauletta who the Giants took in the fourth round (108th overall).

On the last day of minicamp, Shurmur was asked on what he thought of Webb and his progression.

“I think he has improved every day. I think he’s got an outstanding skill set. I mean, big, strong, can throw. Saw today, he can run around and he’s gotten more and more comfortable with what we’re doing. So, he’s made steady improvements through this spring.”

Now with OTAs and minicamp behind them, the Giants are hoping that Webb can continue his progression in training camp where the practices are more intense and competitive.

Davis Webb
(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

As great as Eli Manning has been for the Giants franchise, his time as the quarterback is nearing an end.

He’ll be 38 in January with one year remaining on his contract. Depending on how Manning plays this season, the Giants may elect to cut two-time Super Bowl champ after the season as they would only endure a $6.2 million cap hit if they release him.

This makes it even more imperative that the 23-year-old Webb continues to improve and show that he has what it takes to be a starter in this league.

Expect Webb to once again take some snaps with the first team offense in training camp and to play around six-to-eight quarters in the preseason as he continues to show he has what it takes to make it in the NFL.

Jason's first love was football while growing up in northern New Jersey. For the past three years, he has covered the New York Giants, as well as several boxing events along the East Coast.