From Big Blue View
Other Giant observations
Some years, finding enough quality players to make the initial 53-man roster is a chore, when after about 45 or 46 or 47 the thinking goes something like this: Do I really need to find a few more guys deserving of making the team from this uninspiring collection? That has been the case with the Giants far too often in the last decade or so.
The belief that they improved their depth came to fruition on the field this summer, as illustrated in the Giants winning their first two preseason games and outscoring the Bills and Jets by a combined 42-21 in the second half. That means the Giants’ backups — many of whom will be fringe roster inclusions or will not make the cut — outplayed their counterparts in those two games. That is a good sign when it comes to assessing how deep the depth chart actually runs.
Jameis and Eli (and Shaun) take Manhattan
The stats and big throws are exciting, but head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka are rightfully doing a great job of keeping things simple for Dart with screens and isolation routes in which he’ll throw to the single receiver in three-by-one formations or choice routes to the slot. He has eight completions on screens (bubble and true screens) for 73 yards. To Dart’s credit, he’s executing the concepts that are called for him at a high level. Even on simple screens, he’s doing a great job of changing his arm angles to get the ball to his target, but those plays don’t take a lot of thinking.
Dart is on the right developmental track. This is not a negative review. I liked Dart as a prospect! My point is to slow down the Dart train even after an exciting preseason.
Once more with feeling, Kid.
You are The Boy of Summer, Jaxson Dart, you have infused a fan base with hope, and in the preseason finale against the Patriots on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium you get this last chance to leave them wanting more until.
DT Roy Robertson-Harris. After two games, Robertson-Harris ranks second on the team in run defense grade (81.7) and first among the interior defenders. He has made three stops along the line of scrimmage, missed zero of his five tackles, and had an 8.3% pressure rate with a 16.7% win rate, which is also second to just rookie edge rusher Abdul Carter (25.0%).
Thursday’s game against the Patriots is undoubtedly an important one for third-year receiver Jalin Hyatt. Hyatt dealt with an injury earlier in training camp but was able to return in time for last week’s game against the Jets. He caught only one pass in that game, but it went for 21 yards and helped the Giants get off their own goal line.
Why they can: The NFC East is almost always an unpredictable mess, and the G-Men at least have a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Russell Wilson. It’s possible he vibes with young star receiver Malik Nabers and the defense takes off immediately to start the Abdul Carter era, while the Eagles suffer a post-Super Bowl hangover and the Commanders endure a sophomore slump for Jayden Daniels.
Why they can’t: A first division win for the Giants since 2011 would also require the talented Cowboys to suffer from something. The Giants still have plenty of holes coming off a three-win campaign and Wilson could easily be toast. Throw in that their three division rivals all could be Super Bowl contenders, and the task is likely too tall even if it all comes together for Brian Daboll’s team.
Chase Edmonds: Arrow up in East Rutherford
Most likely outcome: The Giants struggle, Wilson looks as meh as he has the past three seasons and Dart takes over as the starter in the first half of the season. The question turns to whether the Giants can win enough games to convince ownership to stick with Daboll and let him continue to develop Dart in 2026. I say he gets the chance.
Long shot outcome: Wilson finds the fountain of youth. Malik Nabers emerges as a top-three wide receiver in the league. Andrew Thomas stays healthy at left tackle. The Giants’ pass rush fuels one of the league’s surprise top defenses. And the Giants pull a few upsets early to stay in contention all season. Wilson has a little nagging injury that leads to Winston starting two games somewhere along the way, but Dart rides the bench all season while the vets keep the team in the playoff hunt. Dart gets his chance to start in 2026.
“We saw a big step from him last year, and I think there’s more to go,” Bricillo told reporters on Tuesday. “I think the one thing people don’t realize, he comes from a Big Ten program established in Minnesota, but they still get stronger. He’s only 25 years old. He hasn’t reached his peak of strength yet. He cares. He’s going to keep working and improving his body, which then in turn, hopefully helps him to be a little bit better football player. But I see a player that’s a little more filled out physically and has a little bit more experience. Another year under his belt. So he’s done everything we’ve asked and we’re pleased, but my line is ‘pleased but not satisfied.’”
4. New York Giants (via mock trade with New York Jets for 2nd overall pick) Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Entering the season, two non-quarterback prospects rise above the rest for me: Ohio State’s Caleb Downs and Woods. The Giants are well-positioned at safety after signing Jevon Holland, so I’m going with Woods and adding to an already outstanding defensive line. Woods is a chaos causer. He had just three sacks in 2024 after none as a freshman in 2023, but his game goes far beyond the box score; every opponent O-line had a plan for him on each snap last season. He also has the positional versatility to line up and rush from multiple spots, which would help alongside Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Dexter Lawrence II and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
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