NFL

Hankins is capable of swallowing up opposing running backs at 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, but flashed an inconsistent motor in the Big 10. He also turned in an underwhelming 5.31 in the 40-yard dash, and painfully-slow 1.82 ten-yard split. He'll have to prove he's ready to work at an NFL level before siphoning snaps from NT Linval Joseph.

An imposing 6-foot-4, 228 pounds with 4.49 wheels, Taylor could also see time at weak-side linebacker. Coach Tom Coughlin expects Taylor to compete for time in the Giants' three-safety package, but the majority of his action should come on special teams.

"I want to have the guy I'm going up against quit the game and check out," Pugh said. The Giants have praised Pugh as a "clean" prospect because of the soundness of his game, but also like his "mean streak." A left tackle for Syracuse, Pugh will probably hold down one of the G-Men's guard spots as a rookie. His short 32-inch arms make it unlikely he'll ever stick at tackle in the NFL.

It's unclear why the next 7-10 days are important, but the Giants would presumably like to get Cruz on the field for a majority of OTAs. Speaking Tuesday, Giants co-owner John Mara said he's "pretty confident" the sides will reach a long-term deal. Cruz has made it clear he wants to remain in New York.

Mara is the voice of reason here. Cruz can't sign with any other team, leaving his only leverage play as a holdout through Week 10, a la Vincent Jackson in 2010. "I'm pretty confident that we'll end up reaching a deal with (Cruz)," Mara said. "This is not that atypical a situation. Player contracts, particularly with star players like Victor, can tend to drag on from time to time. I think we'll get it done." The next important date for Cruz is June 17. At that point, the Giants can reduce his one-year, $2.879M tender to $630,000. Mara said the Giants are in "slow but steady" communication with Cruz's camp.

Like Dalton, Nassib has mediocre arm strength and is probably a borderline starting-caliber NFL talent. "We like the accuracy about him," said Reese. "We like that 'it' factor on him. When I first watched him he reminded me of the QB at Cincinnati that played at TCU." Reese confirmed the Giants selected Nassib at No. 110 overall because "we pick the highest guy on the board."

The No. 45 overall pick of the 2009 draft, Sintim hadn't appeared in a game since 2010 thanks to a series of serious knee injuries. He was waived before final cuts in Giants camp last summer. Sintim is still only 27 years old, but a comeback appears unlikely. He finishes his NFL career with 33 tackles in 24 games.