NFC Notes: Giants, Packers, Vikings

Giants

• NFL Media’s Charley Casserly writes Giants first-round OT Andrew Thomas and second-round S Xavier McKinney are expected to be immediate impact rookies. Thomas will start at one tackle position while McKinney can play both safety spots and nickel defender. 
• At center, Casserly says Spencer Pulley, Nick Gates and fifth-round OL Shane Lemieux will all compete to start for the Giants. 
• Casserly notes the Giants have a plethora of options for the second starting inside linebacker position, including David Mayo, Ryan Connelly, Devante Downs, Josiah Tauaefa, Mark McLaurin, T.J. Brunson and Dominique Ross. 
• The battle for No. 2 corner is also intense, though with fewer candidates, including second-year CBs Deandre Baker and Corey Ballentine, Sam Beal and fourth-round rookie Darnay Holmes. 

Packers

• The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman writes that he hasn’t heard of any interest from the Packers in a trade for Browns TE David Njoku, saying they seem invested in their current options. 
• Schneidman thinks Packers veteran QB Tim Boyle could be the backup instead of first-round rookie Jordan Love. He points out only two quarterbacks get reps during the season under HC Matt LaFleur. 
• Schneidman sees 2020 as the final chance for Packers DL Montravius Adams and Tyler Lancaster, adding Green Bay could bolster its defensive line in a trade if it continues to struggle. 

Vikings

• According to the Athletic’s Chad Graff, Vikings HC Mike Zimmer is irked by his lack of a contract extension as the 2020 season draws closer. 
• Back in January, Vikings ownership had put out a statement saying they had “every intent” of keeping Zimmer “next year and beyond.”
• Graff says Zimmer is preparing for the growing possibility he will coach out the final year of his contract. 
• Graff adds that in 2019, the Vikings said GM Rick Spielman‘s contract was synced up with Zimmer’s to end in 2020. But the Vikings did not confirm if Spielman had agreed to a new contract or not, saying instead it’s policy not to comment on ongoing negotiations. 
• Zimmer is looking for a multi-year deal that rewards what he believes to be his status as one of the better coaches in the NFL given the Vikings’ record under his tenure. Graff notes it’s believed Zimmer signed a one-year extension in 2018 to run through 2020, but that won’t be good enough this time. 
• From the Vikings’ perspective, Graff mentions the Vikings haven’t made the playoffs in consecutive seasons under Zimmer and when they have entered the postseason, they’ve exited unceremoniously.