Assessing the Giants’ Rookie Class After Preseason

With the preseason now behind us, it’s an opportune time to evaluate the New York Giants’ rookie class and their performances during training camp and the three preseason games.

Wide receiver Nabers has been a standout, impressing the coaching staff, teammates, and fans with his exceptional training camp. Although he didn’t record a catch in the first preseason game, the Giants made a concerted effort to involve him in the first half of the second game, resulting in four catches for 54 yards. It’s clear that getting him the ball early and often should be a priority this season.

Safety Nubin is in the mix to start, although the Giants currently list Dane Belton and Jason Pinnock as starters. Despite not registering any statistics, Nubin has demonstrated his physicality in preseason. All three safeties rested for the final preseason game against the Jets.

Phillips has a strong chance of becoming the starting nickel back this year, as he’s currently listed on the first unit, according to the team’s unofficial depth chart. However, he suffered a setback a few weeks ago when he hurt his ankle, limiting his practice time. He played just seven defensive snaps in preseason.

Tight end Johnson has struggled to make an impact, catching only one short pass in preseason. His best opportunity to make a difference was in the joint practice with the Jets, but he dropped a potential big play.

Tracy got off to a strong start in camp, showcasing his capabilities as a runner, return man, and pass catcher. After an injury scare, he’s expected to be ready for Week 1. However, the emergence of Eric Gray may limit his touches early in the season. Tracy finished preseason with 26 rushing yards on five carries, with a longest gain of 12.

Linebacker Muasau may not be a significant contributor on defense this year, but he’s flashed a few times in preseason. The team will likely see enough upside in him to keep him on the roster, even if it’s just for special teams duty. He had seven tackles in two preseason games before resting for the Jets game.

Undrafted Rookies Shine

The Giants have had several undrafted players vying for a role. One of the most impressive has been defensive lineman Elijah Chatman, who recorded a sack in Week 1 of preseason and showcased his speed and agility in Week 2. Chatman did not play against the Jets, which could be an indication that he’s secured a spot on the final roster.

Other undrafted players who impressed were running back Dante “Turbo” Miller, who demonstrated his speed, and guard Jake Kubas, who received some first-team reps. Both Miller and Kubas played against the Jets. Miller led the Giants in rushing with 108 yards in preseason, averaging over four yards per carry, and also caught two passes.

Conclusions

The fact that the Giants rested all six of their draft picks, along with Chatman, on Saturday night is a strong indication that all of those players will make the final roster. However, Muasau and Johnson might be a year away from making significant contributions based on what we’ve seen so far.

Nubin and Tracy may need to work their way into the rotation, and their roles could increase as the season unfolds. Phillips could have a major role as long as he’s healthy. The success of this class will largely be judged on Nabers’ performance, so it will be challenging for him to live up to the hype.

Other rookies may contribute later in the season, especially if the Giants struggle as many analysts predict. Head coach Brian Daboll will hope that the above additions elevate his team and make it more competitive than last season.