Big Blue View
There were a few interesting story lines in the New York Giants’ 34-25 pre-season victory over the Buffalo Bills. Let’s look at Pro Football Focus grades to see who their analysts thought played well or not so well and see how well it matches up with our own impressions. A large number of players saw the field yesterday; let’s just focus on the ones who distinguished themselves (grades 60 or higher), and we’ll say a bit about the ones who may have one foot out the door.
Your eyes didn’t deceive you. Jaxson Dart played well yesterday, leading all Giants’ offensive players with an 80.7 passing grade. You may be wondering how that compares to his fellow Class of 2025 members:
Dart trailed only undrafted Jacksonville free agent Seth Henigan. Dart seemed comfortable in the Daboll-Kafka offense and had one big-time throw, the TD pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
The offensive line grades were mostly promising. Aaron Stinnie led the pack at 81.8. Joshua Ezeudu played very well at 79.8, with a (surprise!) 88.5 pass block grade. He surrendered only one pressure. Center Bryan Hudson also had a strong game in extended play (77.7). Marcus Mbow, in his first NFL action, graded a solid 71.9, also with only one pressure. At the other end, Jake Kubas was the Giants’ lowest graded offensive player at 32.9, including an awful 15.5 pass block grade. He gave up a hit and a hurry (one of those was on Dart’s TD pass).
Tyrone Tracy graded the highest of the running backs (75.1). Dante Miller came in at 68.6, but with an excellent 91.3 receiving grade.
Among the wide receivers, Montrell Washington led the pack at 70.9 while Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who caught Jaxson Dart’s TD pass, graded 63.5. Thomas Fidone II led the tight ends at 71.4. Greg Dulcich (44.7) graded the lowest of the tight ends.
Abdul Carter (82.2) had an insane professional debut in the short time he was on the field. He rushed the passer three times, getting a pressure each time. Two were as an edge defender, beating Bills’ left tackle Dion Dawkins (No. 42 in the NFL Top 100 list) to the inside once and to the outside once. On the other he lined up inside and beat guard O’Cyrus Torrence.
The highest defense grade among the edge defenders, though, went to Trace Ford (84.3), who had a hit and 2 hurries. Brian Burns didn’t have any pressures but graded 73.6.
The highest overall defense grade went to Micah McFadden (92.1), who only played a few snaps but had a pass breakup and a great tackle. At the other end of the scale, LB Chris Board graded an awful 28.6.
On the interior defensive line, D.J. Davidson (77.9) had the highest grade, including a sack and two hurries, with Elijah Garcia (73.0) close behind.
At cornerback, Paulson Adebo and Deonte Bankls had almost identical average grades, as did safeties Jevon Holland and Dane Belton. Only Tyler Nubin...
