The New York Giants will conclude their preseason schedule on Friday as they face the New York Jets in their annual showdown at MetLife Stadium.
Head coach John Harbaugh has an interesting decision to make on whether he’ll play his starters in the preseason finale. Typically, teams will rest their starters to avoid injury before the regular season begins.
But the Giants are implementing a new offensive and defensive system, and if the starters don’t play, it will be close to a month since they’ve played a game before the season opener on September 13th against the Dallas Cowboys.
Regardless of whether the starters play, there are three key factors to watch for in the preseason finale.
Related: 1 Bold Prediction for Each Game on NFL Preseason Week 3 Schedule
Which Giants Receivers Stick Out?
NFL: New York Giants at Miami Dolphins3
Aug 22, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) breaks a tackle against Miami Dolphins cornerback Ethan Bonner (27) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Big Blue suffered a big blow this week when Calvin Austin III tore his ACL and will miss the season. The loss of Austin leaves a roster spot open for one of the other wideouts to take.
If cut day were today, the consensus is that the six receivers that make the roster would be: Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, Darius Slayton, Braxton Berrios, and Odell Beckham Jr. But Harbaugh might be waiting to see which other wideouts might shine on Friday night, ala what Victor Cruz did 16 years ago against the Jets in the preseason.
If someone like Dalen Cambre can emerge on Friday night, it will make Harbaugh’s decision tougher on who to keep on the final roster.
Tyrone Tracy Jr
NFL: New York Giants at Miami Dolphins3
Aug 22, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive back Dante Trader Jr. (11) tackles New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during the first quarter of a preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
Tyrone Tracy Jr has had a rough preseason. Against the Minnesota Vikings, he failed to pick up a blitz by Jay Ward, which resulted in Jaxson Dart being sacked and sent to the blue tent. Then against the Miami Dolphins, he lost a fumble in the red zone.
These miscues make it hard for the coaching staff to trust him, especially with Cam Skattebo, Devin Singletary, and Najee Harris on the roster. With New York’s backfield being so crowded, some are speculating the team may look to trade Tracy.
If the third-year back doesn’t play Friday night, this could be a sign that he’s on the trading block, and the Giants don’t want to risk him being injured. If he plays, he’ll have a chance to redeem himself and boost his confidence heading into the season.
Giants Kicking Competition Between Ben Sauls and Dominic Zvada
New York Giants kicker Dominic Zvada (34) warms up before a preseason opening game between the New York Giants and Minnesota3
New York Giants kicker Dominic Zvada (34) warms up before a preseason opening game between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
New York’s kicking competition between Ben Sauls and undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada will likely be decided against the Jets. Zvada has been the more consistent kicker during training and OTAs, but there are always concerns about having a rookie as your kicker.
Giants special teams coordinator Chris Horton was asked if he needs to take a deep breath before deciding whether to have a rookie as his kicker.
“I don’t think I have to take a deep breath. I think we’ve got two guys in this building that have performed very well. Two guys that we believe in, two guys that we know that whoever wins that job, whoever we put out there, will be the person, will be the right guy for this team.”
Last week, New York used both of their placekicker against Miami, and both were perfect on their field goal attempts. Zvada connected on field goals of 43 and 32 yards, and Sauls split the uprights from 27 and 37 yards.
There’s a good chance both will kick on Friday in what will be the final chance to show Harbaugh and Horton that they deserve to be the team’s place kicker.