Giants Training Camp Notes: Russell Wilson shows why he's QB1, Malik Nabers returns

EAST RUTHERFORD -The Giants don't want to play Jaxson Dart. Their plan, which remains unchanged despite a promising spring, is to have their rookie first-round quarterback sit and learn.

That's what the Chiefs did with Patrick Mahomes, where Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka aided in his development. It's what the Bills wanted to do with Josh Allen, where Joe Schoen served as assistant general manager before taking the GM gig in New York.

The Chiefs saw things through. The Bills did not. Allen took over during a Week 1 blowout and never looked back. But, barring a similar unforeseen circumstance, Dart will redshirt Year 1. This has been, and still is, Russell Wilson's team.

These guys will be out here competing," coach Brian Daboll added. But Russ is our starter."

There's no hiding how much this coaching staff, specifically Daboll, loves this Ole Miss prospect. Daboll watches closely whenever Dart is on the field. He's in his pocket whenever he's not. They're investing the time to develop him. To this point, their infatuation doesn't appear misplaced. Dart entered the NFL labeled a project - an accurate assessment. He is not as green as some scouts believed. There's reason to believe, if he had to play as a rookie, he wouldn't be a detriment on the field.

The Giants would need to help him. They shouldn't ask that much of him. But, during organized team activities and minicamp, he very much looked like a player who belonged - who was worth the time the coaches are giving him.

But through those same OTA and minicamp practices, and cemented on the first day of training camp, it's also very clear that Wilson is the best quarterback in camp.

There was a time Wilson was in perennial contention for MVP honors. Those days are long behind him. He's not as athletic as he once was. His arm isn't as lively. The deterioration of both physical skills is among the reasons he's on his fourth team in five years. But his experience - all 14 years of it - is a factor. It puts him ahead of Dart, Jameis Winston, and Tommy DeVito. The Giants are a far better team, right now, with Wilson.

They know that, which is why this is his team.

Wilson took all but one first team rep at Wednesday's practice. Dart worked primarily with the second unit (absent that brief play with the starters), then Winston, then DeVito. Wilson completed eight of 14 passes with four touchdowns - the Giants worked entirely in the red zone. DeVito went one of five with a touchdown and pick-six (on his first pass to Nic Jones). Winston went four of five with a touchdown. DeVito was two of three.

Again: Wilson is not the player he was. Several of his six incompletions were undeniably bad. The offense sputtered and barely functioned at times, specifically in the beginning. But there's no doubt the team is better with him out there.

Which is why this is Wilson's team.

The future with Dart will need to wait.

Here's more from the opening day of Giants practice ...

Welcome back No. 1

Receiver Malik Nabers practiced for the first time. He missed all of OTAs and minicamp with a toe injury Daboll said dated back to college. Nabers admitted he considered surgery. It wasn't the route they went. He'll have to manage it throughout the year and he's not sure" if it's something that will go away on its own. This is probably something worth keeping an eye on.

There were no signs of any injury on the field. Nabers was his usual dominant self, catching three touchdowns from Wilson. He had a chance at a fourth, but corner Deonte Banks batted it away.

Those training camp battles

There are two worth monitoring early. Cor'Dale Flott and Banks are competing for the job opposite Paulson Adebo. Greg Van Roten and Evan Neal are going at it for the guard spot. Flott and Van Roten were the first two players up in team drills. The other two then checked in. It's impossible to judge linemen until the pads come on. Banks was up-and-down.

You'd think the Giants prefer to see Banks and Neal win out. The two were former first-round picks. Those aren't selections you throw away. The two salvaging their careers would be a nice feather in Schoen's cap.

Not back yet, but ...

Left tackle Andrew Thomas started camp on the physically unable to perform list. Daboll offered virtually no update, saying Thomas (and running back Eric Gray, who's also on the PUP) will be back when they're ready to be back." Schoen provided a very positive note on Thomas, though, when he later said he should be" ready for Week 1.

The Giants offense functions at a far different level with Thomas on the field. James Hudson, whom the team signed as their swing tackle, struggled mightily in the spring and did very little to slow Brian Burns on Wednesday.

Quick hits and tidbits

• Tight end Theo Johnson had a nice day, continuing off his impressive spring. He caught two touchdowns: One from Dart and one from Wilson. The Giants have spoken highly of him throughout the offseason.
• Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence worked in-and-out of team drills as he recovers from an elbow injury. He said he gave the defense a pre-practice speech that, while expectations for the unit are high, they have not accomplished anything yet.
• Cam Skattebo, who also didn't practice much over the spring, worked as the third-team running back. He made a nice catch in the flat and another for a would-be touchdown in 7-on-7 drills.
• It was a quiet day for third-year wideout Jalin Hyatt, who did not catch a pass or see a target. He worked with the second team now that Nabers is practicing again. Hyatt worked with the starters with Nabers out.