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Updates from Week 4
Quarterbacks
Head coach Brian Daboll rested most of his starters in the finale versus the Jets, even though their Gotham counterparts rolled out their starters. Daniel Jones has much to prove this year, but the vibe check from a majority of camp observers is positive. Tyrod Taylor is locked in as the backup, and the only real mystery is whether Tommy DeVito sticks on the practice squad or the front office picks someone else up off waivers.
Running Backs
Saquon Barkley has MVP-caliber talent and will be the centerpiece of the offense, barring injury. His versatility makes him one of the few running backs in the league capable of dominating at a 300-plus touch workload. Matt Breida isn’t a difference-maker, but he’s intimately familiar with the offense and has the coaches’ trust. Rookie Eric Gray was up-and-down this summer but should be secure as the No. 3 and has a chance at competing for the starting job in 2024, depending on what happens with Barkley’s contract. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan and The Athletic’s Dan Duggan agree that Jashaun Corbin has shown enough to make the roster, too.
Wide Receivers
A crowded receiver corps full of complementary players has crystallized, which is good news for fantasy managers looking to speculate on getting a piece of Daboll and OC Mike Kafka’s offense. Isaiah Hodgins, who played very well down the stretch in 2022, and Darius Slayton, who has persevered through several difficult Giants eras, will be the starters on the outside, while Parris Campbell plays primarily in the slot. Rookie Jalin Hyatt also looked good in camp and will start the year as the No. 4, but he could quickly move into the starting lineup given his pedigree. The other spots are still in flux, partly because Wan’Dale Robinson remains on the PUP list. Long-time veteran Sterling Shepard probably landed a spot, but he oddly played in the Jets game when all the key veterans rested. The only real question is whether Cole Beasley makes the roster.
Tight Ends
Darren Waller was the talk of the summer and was arguably the most impressive player in the league, much less Giants camp. Daniel Bellinger and Lawrence Cager are secure in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively. Any chance of carrying additional tight ends took a hit with recent injuries to both Tommy Sweeney and Chris Myarick.
Defense
Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, A’Shawn Robinson, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches will anchor the defensive line, with Jordan Riley likely earning a roster spot, too. At outside linebacker, both Duggan and Raanan believe the team will bring in veterans in the coming days, but as it stands, Azeez Ojulari, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Jihad Ward, and Tomon Fox are on the roster. We’ve discussed the ongoing battle at inside linebacker all summer, and Micah McFadden appears to have won the starting job alongside Bobby Okereke. But the recently acquired Isaiah Simmons may throw a wrench in things and likely will be on the field as a pass rusher in place of McFadden. Darrian Beavers and Carter Coughlin round out the unit. Two rookies – Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins – have won starting jobs convincingly this summer. While it’s great long-term news, having two first-year defenders on islands is going to lead to volatility. Adoree Jackson, Cor’Dale Flott, and Darnay Holmes make up the top five. At safety, Jason Pinnock and Xavier McKinney are the starters, and Dane Belton is a compelling No. 3.
Returners
Gary Brightwell likely finds himself on the wrong side of the roster bubble after rookie Eric Gray has reportedly emerged as the leader to return both punts and kickoffs this year.
Updates from Week 3
Quarterbacks
Daniel Jones has much more to prove before comparisons to Josh Allen – Brian Daboll’s last quarterback – are justified. But preseason box score watchers couldn’t have asked for a better preseason debut. Jones was surgical, completing 8-of-9 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown on a 10-play, 75-yard drive to open the game against Carolina. The coaches saw all they needed to see in the opening drive, and Jones handed the huddle over to Tyrod Taylor. Taylor also played well, completing 9-of-13 passes for 90 yards, a touchdown, and 21 yards rushing. Tommy DeVito – who’s bound for the practice squad – didn’t want to be left out and completed 9-of-11 passes for 88 yards. The most encouraging aspect of the night was the offensive line play. The line has been a major red flag all summer but only gave up two sacks against the Panthers, but in fairness, the Panthers rested their starting edge defenders.
Running Backs
Saquon Barkley was the only healthy starter who didn’t play against Carolina, and Matt Breida handled all ten snaps with the first team on the opening drive. Rookie Eric Gray was the next man up, rushing five times for 16 yards and a touchdown. Neither James Robinson (four rushes for 10 yards) nor Jashaun Corbin (seven carries for five yards) found room to run behind the backup offensive linemen.
Wide Receivers
Entering training camp, there was no consensus on how the receiver snaps would be divvied among more than a dozen roster hopefuls. But the picture is coming into focus, with Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins on the outside and Parris Campbell in the slot. They’ve been the most consistent performers this summer and are being rewarded with critical roles. But looking beyond the early weeks of the season, it’s becoming clear rookie Jalin Hyatt has a shot at displacing one of them, given his jaw-dropping vertical speed and a far better all-around skill set than feared after watching his game film at the University of Tennessee. Hyatt played a few snaps with Jones on the first drive and, more importantly, bounced back from a bad drop in the second quarter with a memorable 33-yard touchdown later in the same drive. Lower down on the depth chart, veteran Sterling Shepard played in a game for the first time in nearly a year, while recently signed veteran Cole Beasley missed the tilt with a leg injury. According to PFF's Nathan Jahnke, Beasley’s roster spot may hinge on Wan’Dale Robinson’s recovery timeline.
Tight Ends
We’re running out of superlatives for Darren Waller, as he’s been among the best – if not the best – players in camp. Waller made his Giants debut this week along with the other projected starters and was the focal point. Waller played eight snaps, and Daniel Jones targeted him four times. Waller caught three passes for 30 yards before calling it a night. Jones was effusive in praise of his new teammate: “I mean, he’s a big target. He runs good routes, creates separation, he’s an easy guy to find. So, yeah, he’s a talented player, smart guy, understands defense, understands where we’re trying to use him and how to get open,” Jones said. “He’s extremely versatile. I think that is something that’s impressed me. He’s got the vertical speed to run past people, but he’s also got good feel and understanding of the underneath stuff also.” Incumbent Daniel Bellinger finished off the opening drive with a 4-yard touchdown. Bellinger’s going to have a complementary role this year if everyone stays healthy, but he proved this weekend that he’s still going to be a factor, particularly in 12- and 13-personnel groupings in the red zone.
Defense
Inside linebacker Bobby Okereke was the star of the night against Carolina, leading the team with seven tackles and grading out well in all facets of coverage. We discussed the battle for the other inside spot between Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers, and they split time with the first-team defense, and both played well. That battle continues, with McFadden having a slight edge based on practice rotations. Rookie cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins started on the outside against Carolina, with Adoree Jackson in the slot. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale made it clear they’re the three best at the position. “I think when you go into these games, in any subpackage, you want to play your three best corners,” Martindale said. “Right now, those are our three best corners. There’s nothing set in stone yet; you know what I mean? We’ll see how it works out.” Martindale publicly challenged Kayvon Thibodeaux to step up last week, and the young edge rusher heeded the call with a strong showing against Panthers left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, notching a sack and a pressure.
Offensive Line
Left tackle Andrew Thomas has developed into one of the league's best pass protectors, and the Giants rewarded him with a $67 million guaranteed contract as camp opened. Right tackle Evan Neal missed a week with a concussion but has returned. Rookie center John Michael-Schmitz has been impressive from the opening snap. Joshua Ezeudu is battling with Tyre Phillips and Ben Bredeson at left guard. Although Mark Glowinski appears settled in at right guard, he could face pressure from the backups. Overall, the Giants offensive line is underrated and ranks 17th.
Updates from Week 2
Quarterbacks
Although Daniel Jones sat against the Lions in the preseason tilt, as planned, he and the first-team offense got plenty of snaps against the Lions’ defense in two days of joint practices earlier in the week. The first day didn’t go well, as Jones was erratic – arguably for the first time in camp. “I just missed a couple of them that normally I feel pretty good about,” Jones said. “I’ve just got to be sharp with those and make sure we’re taking advantage of the opportunities that we have.” He was better on Wednesday, throwing touchdowns to Darren Waller, Parris Campbell, and Darius Slayton. Head coach Brian Daboll hasn’t ruled out playing Jones this preseason, but it doesn’t sound like we’ll see him on the field much, if at all. “We’ll talk about that at the end of the week. Again, these decisions really are made towards the end of the week like I’ve told you guys. There’s a lot of research and communication that goes into it, but I’d anticipate him playing,” Daboll said. Tyrod Taylor started against the Lions in the preseason opener, completing 3-of-4 passes for 7 yards before quickly taking a seat. No. 3 Tommy DeVito completed 15-of-24 passes for 155 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The only intrigue in the quarterback room is whether DeVito can land on the practice squad or if the team looks elsewhere for their emergency signal caller once roster cuts are made.
Running Backs
The coaches are taking extra measures to keep Saquon Barkley fresh and healthy for the regular season. He only participated in a few 11-on-11 drills during joint practices with Detroit but looked excellent in 7-on-7 drills. Off the field, Barkley was named to the NFL 100 list, ranking 31st overall and 5th among running backs. Barkley is the sole offensive player from the Giants to make this annual ranking of the league's best. The team may need to address the depth because no one outside of Barkley has looked great in camp. Matt Breida remains the de facto No. 2, but he would be ill-equipped to step in for an injured Barkley. Rookie Eric Gray is carving out a role as the team's return specialist, but his effectiveness on offense has yet to be demonstrated. Neither Gray (1.8 yards per carry), Breida (1.0), nor James Robinson (1.5) managed to impress against the Lions. Jashaun Corbin (three carries for 40 yards) made some impact in the latter part of the game, but he needs more consistent performances to secure a roster spot, and his fate might depend on how Gary Brightwell recovers from his recent knee injury.
Wide Receivers
Deciphering the receiving corps during camp has been challenging, but it's gradually taking shape. Parris Campbell and Darius Slayton were not in the lineup against the Lions, suggesting they are likely to be starters in the regular season. Sterling Shepard also had the night off, though he's only two weeks removed from the PUP list, making his role uncertain. Isaiah Hodgins didn't sit out, and by all indications, he's the team's other starting wide receiver. Coach Daboll explained, “I thought it was good for him,” Daboll said. “He was a practice squad player for a while there and came on with us late, so I thought it was good to get him some reps early on with Tyrod (Taylor).” Rookie Jalin Hyatt and veteran Cole Beasley started in place of Slayton and Campbell. Among the two, Beasley had the most productive night with 4 receptions for 33 yards. Fellow veteran Jamison Crowder didn't take snaps until the third-stringers were on the field, and Wan'Dale Robinson remains on the PUP list. Some beat writers speculate that the team could retain up to eight receivers, but this seems unlikely, especially with tight end Darren Waller essentially serving as the primary WR1.
Tight Ends
Darren Waller has garnered nothing but praise from camp observers, coaches, and teammates. It's clear that he's not only the team's best receiver but also a crucial component in Coach Daboll's offensive scheme, rivaling Saquon Barkley in importance. While Daniel Bellinger may have lost his trajectory towards a significant role in the passing game, he's excelling in training camp as the No. 2 option and would still provide value if Waller were to be sidelined. Lawrence Cager appears well-positioned to secure the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.
Defense
The ongoing competition between inside linebackers Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers took a turn in McFadden's favor, as he received starting reps on both Tuesday and Wednesday against the Lions. He followed that up with an impressive 90.5 Pro Football Focus grade in the preseason opener. The only defender to grade higher was safety Jason Pinnock, who intercepted Nate Sudfeld in the first half and continues to vie for the starting position alongside Xavier McKinney. Pinnock's primary competitor, Dane Belton, also managed an interception. The Athletic’s Dan Duggan believes Pinnock has locked up the starting job while noting that Belton has impressively solidified the No. 3 role. Rookie first-round cornerback Deonte Banks had a shaky start to camp and was being outperformed by fellow rookie Tre Hawkins. However, Banks' innate talents have resurfaced recently. The Athletic’s Charlotte Carroll noted, “While drafting Banks with the top pick pretty much assured his starting role, he nonetheless earned the starting outside corner reps in joint practices leading up to the game. He started on Friday and had a good showing.” Hawkins continues to excel and is also poised for a significant role alongside veteran Adoree Jackson. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence had the honor of being named to the NFL 100 list; he holds the 28th spot overall, making him the highest-ranked Giant and the sole defensive representative on the team.
Returners
The Giants have one of the least experienced return units in the league. Second-year Gary Brightwell is lined up to return kickoffs again in 2023, assuming he’s healthy. Rookie Eric Gray is listed as the top punt returner, though his hold on that role is less assured.
Updates from Week 1
Quarterbacks
Brian Daboll earned Coach of the Year honors last season when, as a first-year head coach, he took the Giants from a 4-13 record to 9-7-1, securing a playoff berth. While 2022 was certainly successful, the team needs significant improvement to be a real contender. Their offense ranked 15th, and defense 17th, and they conceded more points than they scored. Daniel Jones was a valuable fantasy player with 708 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. However, with only 15 touchdown passes and taking 44 sacks, there are still questions about his capability as a passer. It’s hard to judge a quarterback’s progress in practice because they don’t face a real pass rush, but Jones has improved markedly versus last year when he was learning Daboll’s offense. The Athletic’s Dan Duggan observed that Jones was 36-for-69 (52.2%) with three interceptions in 11-on-11 drills during the first week of the 2022 camp, but he’s 33-of-42 (78.6%) with no interceptions this year.
Running Backs
Saquon Barkley is among many veteran tailbacks unhappy with the economic realities facing the position, but he opted to sign the 1-year deal worth nearly $11 million and report to camp. He told reporters he had an “epiphany” and opted to sign the deal after contemplating a holdout. “What’s the best thing that I can do…sit out or sit in, this year specifically, the best thing I can do for myself would be coming back, going out there playing the game I love,” he said. Barkley remains one of the team’s few offensive difference-makers on the practice field. In addition to his usual reps as the lead back, he has been lining up in the slot frequently, which the coaches also experimented with last preseason but failed to implement during the regular season, per Duggan. Matt Breida remains the No. 2 option.
Wide Receivers
One of the biggest unknowns is how the receiver depth chart will shake out, as the roster is filled with a mix of young and veteran receivers who have all mainly played in the slot. Rookie Jalin Hyatt shouldn't have been a dark horse after winning the Biletnikoff Award at the University of Tennessee. Still, most viewed him as a developmental prospect who needed to refine his route running to become more than a complementary, vertical threat. But he's been the standout of the crowded receiver room in the first ten days of camp and appears to be a more polished route runner than feared. Among the veterans, Sterling Shepard is running behind Cole Beasley, which bodes ill for Shepard's chances of making the 53-man roster. But remember, it's early in the preseason, and Shepard is rounding back into shape after last year's torn ACL. Parris Campbell is another player to watch. The talented but oft-injured veteran came over from Indianapolis in free agency and has already made quite a few plays in camp. But he's been dealing with knee tendinitis the last few days, which raises eyebrows given Campbell's 35 missed games to date.
Tight Ends
Darren Waller will be one of the focal points of the offense this season and should lead the team in targets easily if healthy. His coaches and teammates are effusive in their praise of the 6-foot-6, 245-pound marvel. Fellow tight end Daniel Bellinger called him a unicorn: "Watching him be able to do what he does, even at his age, it's amazing. Definitely a lot of 'wow' moments with Darren." Starting safety Xavier McKinney noted: "Being as big as he is, you don't see guys that big that can move like that, so it makes him really special. It makes him a tough cover every time. When I am on him, it puts me on high alert. I have to be because I know that on every play, he can get the ball." Waller is excited by the freedom Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have given him. "[I have] freedom on certain routes where it doesn't have to be super rigid or a way that it's drawn up in the playbook. You can put your own little sauce on it and get open," Waller said. "It's encouraged as long as the fundamentals are there and your knowledge of what the defense is doing and your timing and the concept is there. So, it's little things like that. It's not anything drastic, but it's just really small details of a route that you probably can't even notice."
Defense
Rookie cornerback Tre Hawkins is the story of camp. He played so well in the first few days that the coaches elevated him to the starting defense in place of veteran Adoree Jackson, who is being transitioned to the slot. Hawkins' impressive start brings more scrutiny to fellow rookie Deonte Banks, who is struggling mightily. Hawkins was a 6th-round pick, while Banks was the team's first-round selection. Another key battle to watch is inside linebacker, where Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers are vying for the spot next to Bobby Okereke. Beavers was a bright spot in last year's camp as a rookie before tearing his ACL. His season-ending injury opened the door for McFadden to play important snaps. Now that he's healthy, the two second-year playmakers aren't making it easy for defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. "Me and Micah are really close," Beavers said. "We are still really close. Right now, we are just trying to find the best fit for Bobby [Okereke]. Obviously, Bobby is the leader of the group. Just trying to figure out who meshes better with him. Who can make plays beside him and complement him best. That's just what it is. For right now, me and him are just trying to be the best we can be to help the team and Bobby. That's what our goal is."
