It is commonplace at this time of year, heading into a new NFL season, to stick players into categories.

Those with track records and reliable expectations. The newcomers or rookies who might be able to contribute in some fashion.

Then there is a third group — often the largest one — composed of players who could go either way. Perhaps it is a youngster who has shown progress, but is inconsistent. Perhaps it is a veteran who might be on his last legs, hoping to scrape together one more year. The individuals in this group often determine the direction a team takes: If there are more hits than misses, a team can exceed expectations. If it’s mostly misses, a contender turns into an also-ran.

The Giants head into the 2022 season with a load of players in this group. Should the Giants be able to count on them? Can they? Will they? Here are eight of those players who could make a huge difference in the fate of the Giants: