Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The 2023 NFL preseason is entering its final days and these 11 New York Giants players need to finish strong or risk losing a roster spot.
The New York Giants must trim their roster down to 53 players by 4:00 p.m. ET on August 29, so the upcoming preseason game against the New York Jets might be the last time some of these players don a Giants uniform.
There are at least 11 players who need to finish the preseason on an uptick so that they can either a) secure a roster spot or b) a place on the Giants’ 16-man practice squad.
Let’s take a look.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll says the team’s 2023 NFL draft class is making strides each and every day.
The New York Giants selected seven players in the 2023 NFL draft and through two weeks of the preseason, every single one of them is making an impact.
Center John Michael Schmitz, cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins, and running back Eric Gray (return man) are all in line to start. Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt figures to play a significant role, while defensive lineman Jordon Riley and safety Gervarrius Owens also appear to be playing their way into the rotation.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll could not be happier with the group, noting that each rookie — including some undrafted rookies — is improving every single day.
“I think they have been here for quite some time after the draft process. They’ve made strides each and every day. There is a lot of things that are happening to them for the first time,” Daboll told reporters on Saturday.
Hyatt failed to make an impact during his NFL debut against the Detroit Lions and had a drop against the Panthers on Friday night, but he quickly rebounded with a 33-yard touchdown reception. It was an impressive play for a rookie facing much scrutiny.
“Just because you are not getting a lot of passes as a receiver and catches as a receiver doesn’t always necessarily mean you are not improving, and I think he’s done that since he’s been here. There is a lot to learn, he still has a lot to learn, but he’s made strides,” Daboll said of Hyatt. “He would be the first to tell you that he’s got still a lot to learn and a long way to go.”
All of the rookies do but it’s about stacking good days. Thus far, they’ve all done that.
“I think whether you are a rookie or a two-year vet, a five-year vet, you go through a process that starts back in OTAs and camp. You work hard at it, you prepare for it and if you prepare hard for it and continue to practice it, as a coach you have confidence in those players because of the amount of time and effort and energy they put into it,” Daboll said.
Like Hyatt and some others, there is a “long way to go” for Gray, as Daboll says. But also like the others, he’s been improving each day and raising his stock.
“I think he has made good decisions back there (as a return man),” Daboll said. “The more he does it, the better it is, particularly outside and in our stadium in particular with the wind. There was some good wind there last night in terms of the kicking game. He’s worked hard at it, he will continue to work hard at it and much like Jalin, I think he’s made some strides, but he’s still got a ways to go.”
The rookies have one more preseason game to play before cuts begin and for all seven, they now appear to be playing for a contributing role rather than just a roster spot itself.
[lawrence-related id=714178,714149,714143]
[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]
The New York Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 of the preseason and here are 7 quick takeaways from the game.
The New York Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers, 21-19, in their preseason meeting at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Friday night.
It was an impressive showing for the first-team units, especially on offense, and provides the Giants a lot to build upon entering the final week of the preseason.
Here are seven takeaways from the Giants’ Week 2 preseason dub.
Whose stock is up and whose is down following the New York Giants’ win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 of the preseason?
The New York Giants picked up a 21-19 preseason victory over the Carolina Panthers on Friday night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey and there was a lot to like from the game.
The performance wasn’t perfect by any means but the development of the team, especially the offense, was on full display. There’s also growing optimism surrounding the rookie class and the impact they could have in 2023.
Whose stock is up and whose is down after the preseason victory? Let’s take a look.
News, notes and highlights from the New York Giants’ third day of organized team activities.
After a day off on Wednesday, the New York Giants returned to East Rutherford, New Jersey on Thursday for their third practice of 10 at organized team activities (OTAs).
Once again, as per NFL rules, the players were not wearing pads and no contact was permitted.
Prior to practice, head coach Brian Daboll held a press conference and fielded questions from reporters, who were attending for the first time this week.
Below is a recap of Daboll’s presser and the subsequent practice, complete with videos and highlights.
On their first day of organized team activities (OTAs), the New York Giants had CB Adoree’ Jackson and WR Jalin Hyatt fielding punts.
The New York Giants opened organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday in East Rutherford, New Jersey and while no members of the media were permitted to attend, the team did share reports, video highlights and photos.
Among the notes was a tidbit that may bother some Giants fans.
Less than a year removed from Adoree’ Jackson suffering a sprained MCL on a return against the Detroit Lions, he was back fielding punts. This time, he was joined by rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and a slew of others.
A number of different players caught punts early in practice: Adoree’ Jackson, Darnay Holmes, Jamison Crowder, Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, and Jaydon Mickens.
It’s important to note that players are not in pads and no contact is permitted, so any potential danger is very limited. But that won’t be the concern for fans — the concern is whether or not Jackson and Hyatt will return punts in live practices or games this summer.
Below are a few highlights and some addition information worth noting.
Rookie Gervarrius Owens says he’s ready, willing and able to play whatever special teams role the New York Giants need.
The New York Giants may have gotten themselves another draft steal in Houston defensive back Gervarrius Owens, who they selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Owens was projected to be a mid-round pick by many draft analysts, and like many others in this business, inexplicably fell through the cracks.
The Giants are getting a productive, versatile player with a positive attitude who will give his all for his new team. Owens told reporters this past weekend at the team’s rookie minicamp what they can expect from him.
“Somebody that’s willing to come in from day one, a hardhat guy and do the work every single day, making corrections, cleaning up footwork and things like that,” he said. “Just learning the defense and stuff and just getting everybody ready.”
Owens is one of three defensive backs the Giants selected in this draft. He and the other two, cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Trey Hawkins, have bonded already.
“You dream of this moment so long, then it hits you. Like the first day, me, Banks and Trey Hawkins running out to the field like, man, it’s time, we’re really here. Just trying to soak everything in, but at the same time everything is so fresh, so it’s just kind of all over the place,” he said.
“The first day was definitely a blessing. Got in, got some good work together, so kind of just getting acclimated to everything, but it’s a blessing. That’s all I can really say.”
Owens also has a connection to the Giants. One of his teammates down in Houston was Trent McGaughey, son of Giants special teams coordinator Thomas.
Owens said he met with the elder McGaughey during the weekend.
“He came over there after practice and talked to me, just letting me know everything. But yeah, his son, Trent, is one of our tight ends at Houston, definitely good people, too. But yeah, Coach came over there, spoke to me. He told me he played safety, too, at Houston, so yeah, I’m going to definitely be talking to him a lot,” Owens said.
Owens also mentioned that he would be available for all roles including special teams.
“I played a lot of kickoff and punt and then PBR, as well, and it just kind of kept on with those things. Definitely got some — able to play every special teams role, whatever they need me to do,” he said.
[lawrence-related id=709902,709897,709893]
[stnvideo key=”OIZvFaloI4-2724308-7491″ type=”float”]
The New York Giants have signed three members of their seven-player 2023 NFL draft class to their rookie contracts.
The New York Giants kicked off rookie minicamp on Friday and did so with a bang.
The team announced that three members of their 2023 NFL draft class — running back Eric Gray, cornerback Tre Hawkins III and safety Gervarrius Owens — had all signed their rookie contracts.
Gray was a fifth-round pick and projects as a valuable backup to Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida, while serving as competition to Gary Brightwell.
“Eric Gray is a guy we liked,” general manager Joe Schoen said after the draft. “Super productive. Really good hands out of the backfield. Also has some elusiveness to him inside. Like what he brings. He also has done some returns in his past; he did some at Tennessee, comfortable catching punts at Senior Bowl. So he’ll come in and compete with our group.”
The athletic but still raw Hawkins was taken in the sixth round of the draft.
“Tre Hawkins, we took him late in the sixth. From Old Dominion corner, height, weight, and speed prospect that has high upside,” Schoen said. “He’s a physical kid, not afraid to tackle. You see a trend with some of these guys that we took at that position. Good developmental prospect for Wink’s defense and projects well to special teams due to his physical traits and toughness.”
And Owens, who one AFC executive believes has Day 1 starting potential, was selected in the seventh round.
“Gervarrius Owens, another guy we like, tall, long, athletic safety from University of Houston, was out at the East-West Game,” Schoen said. “Another physical kid. Projects well to special teams and also compete for a depth role.”
Cornerback Deonte Banks, center John Michael Schmitz, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and defensive tackle Jordon Riley have not yet signed their rookie contracts.
Finally, the Giants also announced the official signings of nine undrafted rookie free agents:
[lawrence-related id=709748,709623,709479]
Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
The New York Giants will host their 2023 rookie minicamp on Friday and Saturday, and here are a few things to keep an eye on.
The New York Giants will host their 2023 rookie camp this weekend at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
There’s a lot of anticipation after last week’s NFL draft. Here are a few things to watch for this weekend.
The New York Giants have announced the jersey numbers for all rookies from their 2023 NFL draft class (which are subject to change).
The New York Giants will hold their rookie minicamp on Friday and Saturday, which means jersey numbers are in the process of being handed out.
The team’s seven-player draft class was the first up and had their new numbers revealed on Thursday.
Note: All jersey numbers are subject to change and may not be finalized. Please keep that in mind before rushing out to buy jerseys.
