RB Dante Miller
Not many people would have predicted that through the first two preseason games, Dante Miller would be the Giants' leading receiver in both yards and receptions. The speedy running back brought in seven receptions for 80 yards against the Bills and followed that up with four receptions for 43 yards against the Jets. His 11 receptions have come on 11 targets, as he has caught everything thrown in his direction.
As Daboll mentioned last week, Miller's main competition to make the 53-man roster is not with the rest of the running backs on the roster. Instead, it's with players at other positions who are also fighting for the special teams spots. Well, Miller has also made an impact there, both as a returner and in coverage. In both games, the 26-year-old has returned a kickoff and also recorded a special teams tackle. The running back has made a strong impression on the coaching staff this summer, including his special teams coordinator.
"Turbo lives up to his nickname, real speed (laughs)," Michael Ghobrial said. "The one thing that you see in practice as well is he has really good practice demeanor so you see the very intentional and deliberate practice habits show up in the game. You see his ability to run by a vice and he's a very willing and physical tackler when those opportunities present itself so excited to see Turbo whenever he gets those opportunities."
"He's getting plenty of opportunity on offense, plenty of opportunity in the kick game," Daboll said on Sunday. "Probably a lot like all the other guys – some good plays and then some things we can get better at. I like Dante's mindset and he's a competitor and we'll just keep working with him."
OL Evan Neal
Evan Neal made his 2025 debut against the Jets this past weekend, an important first step for the former seventh overall pick. Neal played 32 offensive snaps at right guard, which signified the first time he's lined up there since he was a freshman at Alabama back in 2019. The 24-year-old was on the field for 22 pass-blocking snaps and allowed just one total pressure.
"I think you can see his confidence growing," offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor told the media Monday. "From practice to the game, in my opinion, there's a difference because there's a different intensity out there. In practice you can mess up and you can mess up because it's practice, but when the balls are flying and everything's on the line, you have to go out there and be perfect because if you're not then comes down to a strip sack or the quarterback getting hit and God forbid getting hurt or a run stuff in the backfield. Those plays are crucial, especially as an offensive lineman so his confidence is growing for sure in that position and just his demeaner.
"He came in and I didn't sense any drop off from when Greg (Van Roten) was in there. He really wants to be successful, and I can see him putting in the work and really putting in the study time to so it's really cool to see that start pay up for him. I think for him, I'd just say keep going and keep growing that confidence because once we get to the regular season, I know we're going to need him and we play some good d-lines this year so that strength and size and ability is going to pay dividends for us."
Thursday's game against the Patriots will be the next test for Neal, who should get an extended look in the preseason finale.