Giants QB Wilson gets bulk of first-team reps at OTA practice

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Russell Wilson is the New York Giants' clear cut starting quarterback at organized team activities to begin the spring. That was apparent by the distribution of reps at Wednesday's practice, the first such workout open to the media this year. Wilson took most of the first-team snaps, with rookie Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston also sneaking in a few. Tommy DeVito fit in for four third-team reps throughout the practice.

Dart, a first-round pick last month, also worked mostly with the third-team offense. He took three reps with the starters during red-zone drills - throwing a touchdown, running for another and tossing an interception on the final play of practice.

The Giants began OTAs and phase three of the offseason program on Tuesday. This was their first opportunity to take the field for live 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills without contact. OTA #2 on Wednesday was the first look at how the Giants will distribute practice snaps with Wilson, Winston, Dart and DeVito in a crowded quarterback room.

"They'll all get reps," coach Brian Daboll said of the plan this spring.

He later added: "We have a detailed plan of how we're going to handle the quarterbacks."

It began with Wilson working with the first-team offense, much like he has from the start of the spring. Winston was second in line followed by Dart and then DeVito.

Wilson was signed by the Giants as a free agent this offseason with the intention that he would be the starter. His one-year deal includes a long list of incentives contingent on how much and how well he plays.

But that was before the Giants drafted Dart with the 25th overall pick out of Ole Miss. Winston and DeVito have also started games in the NFL.

Wilson, 36, started practice slowly with three straight incompletions and a run for minimal to no gain. He looked more comfortable in the new offense as the afternoon progressed and later hit wide receiver Darius Slayton with a perfectly feathered pass over a defender in the back left corner of the end zone.

It's all part of the progression. Wilson, along with Winston and Dart, are learning a new offense under Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. DeVito is the only returning quarterback for the Giants, who had Daniel Jones and Drew Lock at the top pf the depth chart at this time last year.

Now it's Wilson who has top billing with the offense considering his extensive resume and 13 seasons as a starter. He's started all 199 games in his NFL career.

"Russ has been there, done that. Been in the league a long time. Competed at a high level - 10 Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl, been to two. Lot of experience," offensive lineman Greg Van Roten said. "He's just been a really good voice to have in the offensive room as far as the little things. ... No stone goes unturned with him."

There is a lot of work to be done. Wilson and Winston were added to add instant respectability to an offense that finished 31st last season at just 16.1 points per game. Dart was brought in as the quarterback of the future.