Tag: Jordon Riley

How the Giants can replace DL Leonard Williams

The New York Giants need to replace Leonard Williams after trading him away on Monday and they have several in-house options.

The New York Giants traded veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday in a move that was somewhat expected given Williams’ contract status.

The Giants didn’t get much cap relief as a result of the trade. In fact, they got very little. It is estimated they will only clear $647K of cap space by moving Williams.

They did, however, get a 2024 second-round and 2025 fifth-rounder in the process, so the trade appears worth it. They’re going nowhere this year and Williams is not in their long-term plans. This was a good deal for the Giants.

Who will replace Williams in the defensive line rotation is now the remaining question.

Dexter Lawrence has played 72 percent of the defense snaps followed by Williams at 70 percent, Rakeem Nunez-Roches (34 percent), and A’Shawn Robinson (33 percent).

D.J. Davidson has played 15 percent and rookie Jordon Riley only four percent. Riley has been a healthy scratch most of the season, only dressing for two games. He’s highly regarded by the team and this could be his big break.

It would make sense that Nacho (Nunez-Roches) and Robinson get a small bump in snaps but the real solution will likely come from the Oregon two — Davidson and Riley.

The Giants also have Ryder Anderson on the practice squad. Anderson was a final cut in trying camp this summer.

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5 keys for Giants as 2023 regular season gets underway

The 2023 regular season is officially underway and here are 5 keys for success for the New York Giants.

The New York Giants are ready to go in 2023, hoping to improve upon their success from last season when they finished 9-7-1 and qualified for the postseason for the first time in six years.

They’ll need to overcome a few things, however, if they are to do so. Here are our five keys to a successful 2023 for Big Blue.

7 Giants to watch in Week 3 preseason game vs. Jets

The New York Giants close out the 2023 preseason on Saturday against the New York Jets and these seven players are worth keeping an eye on.

The New York Giants close out their 2023 preseason schedule this Saturday night against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey with roster spots — and some starting roles — still at stake.

Here are seven players to watch in the exhibition finale.

Brandon Brown credits Giants’ player personnel directors for Jordon Riley discovery

New York Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown says Dennis Hickey and Tim McDonnell were the ones who discovered NT Jordon Riley.

Sometimes you stumble on a guy late in the draft that just comes right in and plays lights out without missing a beat.

Such could be said about defensive lineman Jordan Riley, a well-traveled 25-year-old rookie the New York Giants selected with the 243rd overall selection in this year’s NFL draft.

Riley has played extensively in the preseason and he has played well. Noted for his strong play against the run, Riley has also shown that he can get into the backfield, push the pocket and get to the quarterback.

Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown didn’t take the credit for unearthing the gem that is Riley at his media session on Monday, but told the story behind how the 6-foot-5, 325-pounder out of Oregon became a Giant.

“I can’t mention Jordon Riley without mentioning Dennis Hickey and Tim McDonnell (the Giants’ directors of player personnel). They were driving forces in terms of the process of Jordon,” Brown said.

“I remember going back to my notes; Jordon’s not on anybody’s radar. It’s October, Dennis Hickey goes out to Oregon and sees him and is like, ‘B, listen, I’m just telling you this guy has traits that we want to play with knockback, we want to be big up front, want to control the line of scrimmage, he fits our brand of ball.’ Tim tells me, ‘B, we need to go see him play.’ So, Tim and I went and saw him play against Cal. Tim’s been the ultimate checks and balances for me, someone that I have blind trust in where he says, ‘We need to go watch this guy, and we come apart from it, you can walk out to warmups, and he sticks out like a sore thumb.'”

Riley’s teammate, linebacker Azeez Ojulari — a third-year player who is actually two years younger than Riley — had this to say on Monday.

“He’s coming in head down working every day, focused, locked in. You’ve got big Dex (defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II), (defensive lineman) Leo(nard Williams) in there grinding, helping him out, Nacho (defensive lineman Rakeem Nuñez-Roches), (defensive lineman) A’Shawn (Robinson), they’re all working on him. He’s pushing them every day and he’s just improving every day, going hard and getting better.”

The Giants, after years of Day 3 failures at the draft, are finally getting some hits.

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Giants’ Brian Daboll impressed with rookie class: They’re ‘making strides’

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.

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Giants drop Panthers, 21-19, in Week 2 of preseason: 7 takeaways

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.

Stock up, down after Giants’ 21-19 preseason win over Panthers

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.

5 Giants with most to gain in preseason matchup vs. Panthers

The New York Giants play the Carolina Panthers this Friday in Week 2 of the preseason and these 5 players have the most to gain (or lose).

The New York Giants will host the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 of their 2023 preseason schedule on Friday night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

It’s entirely possible the Giants play some of their starters before wrapping up the preseason next week against the New York Jets, but it’s unclear which players will appear or how many reps they will receive.

With that uncertainty in mind, here are five players with the most to gain in the game.

ESPN ranks Giants’ interior D-line best in the NFL

ESPN has ranked the New York Giants’ interior defensive line as the best in football but wasn’t as kind to other positional groups.

The New York Giants sported the best interior 1-2 punch last season with nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and defensive lineman Leonard Williams, but they needed to add more this offseason.

Lawrence and Williams, who dealt with injury issues last year, were taking entirely too many snaps. Beyond just that, the Giants struggled in stopping the run.

All of that left general manager Joe Schoen feeling uncomfortable, so he went out and added defensive linemen A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches via free agency, and also selected nose tackle Jordon Riley in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.

That was more than enough to sell those over at ESPN, who recently ranked the Giants’ interior defensive line the best in all of football.

The Giants’ defense struggled last season (28th overall and 29th against the run in EPA), which was disappointing considering they have one of the league’s top interior D-lines on paper. Leonard Williams is a certified superstar and Dexter Lawrence II was arguably better in 2022 (only Chris Jones had a higher PFF grade). Rakeem Nunez-Roches and underrated A’Shawn Robinson were solid offseason additions and will play sizable roles.

The Giants edged out the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins to claim the No. 1 spot.

Although they didn’t have any other No. 1 rankings, ESPN did rank the Giants’ quarterbacks No. 13 overall, their running backs No. 10 overall, and their tight ends No. 3 overall.

Overall, as a team, the Giants checked in at No. 19 overall.

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Baldy Breakdown: Keep your eye on Giants rookie Jordon Riley

Retired NFL offensive lineman and current analyst, Brian Baldinger, believes the New York Giants may have gotten a steal with Jordon Riley.

Center John Michael Schmitz was the focal point of the New York Giants’ 2023 draft class on Friday night against the Detroit Lions and rightfully so. The rookie performed well, especially in pass protection, and deserved all the kudos he received.

Running back Eric Gray also gleaned a significant amount of attention for his work in the return game and some of his tough runs in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt drew eyes for his unexpectedly quiet performance after an electrifying start to training camp.

One rookie who slid under the radar was seventh-round defensive tackle Jordon Riley. His box score showed just one tackle but as we pointed out here on Giants Wire, his impact was felt well beyond the stat sheet. His relatively quiet performance spoke volumes and retired NFL offensive lineman and current analyst, Brian Baldinger, concurs.

“This kid can anchor,” Baldinger said. “He can hold his ground … You’ve got to love what you’re seeing from this Jordon Riley.

“This guy can hold the point. The Giants need this badly. They need this because Dexter Lawrence can’t play as many snaps as he did last year … Jordon Riley — keep your eye on him.”

In addition to Riley, veteran wide receiver Cole Beasley also caught Baldinger’s attention.

Beasley led the Giants with four receptions on the night, which went for 33 yards and two first downs.

“The Giants have four or five slot receivers (and) I don’t know if any of them are better than Cole Beasley,” Baldinger said. “If you’re a Giants fan right now, you’re like, you’ve got guys who are going to win against anybody in any defense with Beasley and (Darren) Waller.”

Giants fans are going to love hearing all of this.

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