Big Blue View
The New York Giants open their 2025 preseason on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. It’s not certain how the Giants will handle first-team reps. Brian Daboll has been non-committal on reps for starters. But if the past is any indication of the present, the first-team won’t play; we’ll have to wait and see.
It’s a new chapter for the Giants despite the retention of both Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. The team is now led by Russell Wilson and has a rookie quarterback in Jaxson Dart. The latter of which brings me to my first major component to monitor.
How many plays will Dart receive and how much will Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka put on his plate? We’ve seen Dart make checks at the line of scrimmage through camp and he’s executed audibles based on the defensive look. Of course, the Giants’ offense and Bills’ defense will show just the bones of the playbook, but how Dart handles those rudimentary plays in the reps that he receives will be telling. Dart’s decision making, arm-talent, and overall production are all exciting aspects of Saturday’s game to monitor.
Daboll did say on Thursday that rookies will “as many reps as we can give them.”
Not to be redundant, but the playcalling will be rudimentary and the creative parts of the Giants’ offense will be contained throughout the preseason. Still, rushing schemes and simple quick game designs – as well as deeper concepts based on the defensive play-calls – will give us an understanding of the initial install plays in Daboll and Kafka’s playbook.
Then there’s the element of how Kafka calls play and how it differs from Daboll’ playcalling over the last season plus. Unfortunately, Cam Skattebo’s injury rendered the Giants to a two-man (or maybe three considering Dante Miller) backfield until the camp bodies earn reps at the end of the game. Still, I would have been intrigued to see how Kafka and Daboll utilize the three backs: Tyrone Tracy Jr., Skattebo, and Devin Singletary. I’ll still be intrigued to see if Miller can earn first-team reps and what kind of plays Kafka will dial up for the speedster in preseason Week 1.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton tore his achilles earlier in camp. That unfortunate injury, coupled with several competent undrafted rookies and young players, has resulted in an interesting camp battle for a realistic potential roster spot.
The Giants have Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, and Jalin Hyatt as all but sure-locks. Ihmir Smith-Marsette has a good shot at making the roster once again due to his special teams ability, but there may be another roster spot available for one of the other eight wide receivers in camp.
Beaux Collins suffered an injury in camp which is terrible timing, but the former Golden Domer has played well and received some first-team reps. Montrell Washington, the 26-year-old 2022 fifth-round pick by the Denver,...
