Spring practices are over for the New York Giants. Which players saw their stock rise or fall throughout the offseason program? Let’s take a look.
Stock up
Russell Wilson — As of now, the the 13-year veteran seems to have the complete confidence of his team. Player after player has spoken glowingly about Wilson’s work ethic and leadership.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart did so on Wednesday:
“I think just the way that he operates the whole offense. He’s in such command,” Dart said of Wilson. “Everybody can look to him and feel super confident that everybody’s going to be in the right spot. From just the cadences to the motions to the shifts, he makes sure that everything is set and in the right spot. He just has a confidence about him that everybody feels confident when he is out there playing for him.”
Wilson was always going to be the starting quarterback. What has been impressive after failed tenures with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers is how much trust his teammates seem to have in him.
Jaxson Dart — The rookie signal-caller and hopeful future of the franchise at the position had had a successful spring. Not a perfect one, a successful one. Dart has made plenty of brilliant plays, and a fair share of bad ones.
He looks, though, like a confident, comfortable player who has a chance to become a good quarterback.
“I feel like I’ve made tremendous strides especially from my first day to now, just being able to understand the pictures of the offense and whatnot,” Dart said. “I think the biggest thing is there’s a lot of times where you’re making a throw and you feel confident, and you have guys on the other end who are extremely talented, great playmakers who either break a pass up or make a great play on it. So, I think probably the biggest thing is just the qualities and just the overall athleticism on the other side of the ball.”
UDFA wide receivers — I did not use a specific player here for a reason — several of the UDFA wide receivers have made positive impressions this spring. Da’Quan Felton, Beaux Collins, Dalen Cambre and Juice Wells have all done good things. Cambre and Collins got a decent amount of first-team reps during mandatory minicamp, and each took advantage by making plays.
I could not tell you who it will be, but I am calling it now — one of these UDFA receivers is making the 53-man roster.
Cor’Dale Flott — The fourth-year cornerback is splitting first-team reps with Deonte Banks. Head coach Brian Daboll won’t say that Flott and Banks are in a competition for a starting job, but they could be.
Jalin Hyatt — This was a promising spring for the speedy third-year wide receiver. Hyatt has disappointed in his first two seasons with the Giants, but there have been some good signs in the spring. New quarterback Russell Wilson is a Hyatt supporter, and Wilson’s deep ball prowess could unlock Hyatt’s big-play potential. Hyatt has also added weight and strength that should help him.
Dane Belton — The Giants want more plays on the ball after a season in which they had only five interceptions. Belton had four interceptions this spring, including one Wednesday on the final day of mandatory minicamp. He isn’t going to take a job away from either Jevon Holland or Tyler Nubin, but if he continues to make plays during training camp and the preseason Belton will force the Giants to consider some three-safety packages.
Evan Neal — Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. I am not saying that Neal has made a successful transition to guard, or that he will be a starter once we get to the regular season. Neal has looked OK in the limited reps we have seen, and the move from tackle to guard has given him a chance to rescue his flailing career.
Stock down
Anthony Johnson/Victor Dimukeje — Johnson, a safety, and Dimukeje, an edge defender, have lost ground this spring as neither has practiced due to injury. Johnson has a shoulder issue and Dimukeje a pectoral injury suffered early in the offseason. I hate knocking guys down due to injuries, but that’s the reality.
Darius Alexander/Cam Skattebo — The two rookies have practiced little this spring, likely due to undisclosed injuries. Both rookies, Alexander a defensive tackle and Skattebo a running back, have been expected to have big roles during the 2025 season. Missed reps in the spring won’t be helpful toward fulfilling that goal.
Tae Banks — The 2023 first-round pick has been splitting first-team reps at cornerback with Flott, and has been doing some work with the second unit. Ultimately, he will probably be the starter but this is the first time in his three seasons his role has been challenged in any way.
Tommy DeVito — Head coach Brian Daboll recently called him the “head statesman” of the quarterback room because this is his third year in the offensive system. Still, he is clearly QB4, receives few practice reps, and is almost certainly not making the roster unless there are injuries.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton — It seemed like there was a target on Ford-Wheaton’s back when spring practices began, with the signing of veteran wide receiver Li’l-Jordan Humphrey and the addition of five undrafted wide receivers to the 90-man roster. Ford-Wheaton has been mostly invisible in the practices open to media, and the noteworthy performances by some of the UDFA receivers seems to put his roster spot in serious jeopardy.