Blogging The Boys
Each week we dive into each team’s rookie class and compare how they stack up against each other. (Grades for each player are the overall offensive or defensive grade handed out by PFF.com)
First Round
The Giants possess some disruptive forces up front, most notably Dexter Lawrence. Facing a rookie guard, he’ll aim to exploit any over-aggression or missteps. Tyler Booker’s biggest test will be holding his ground in the run game and matching up against elite interior pressure and staying aware for any inside stunts. His strengths in leverage, strength, and awareness give him a solid foundation, but the true test will be adjusting to the Giants’ disruptive tactics. If he can keep his assignments and maintain balance, he’ll likely hold his own and could even be a key piece in helping stabilize Dallas’s offensive line early in the season.
The good news is Booker had to face a formidable pass rush last week against the Philadelphia Eagles and allowed zero sacks. This foundation should give Booker very high confidence against the Giants and in 2024 the Giants defense managed to register only 126 total pressures, that ranked the seventh-least last year. As for rushing, the Giants defense allowed 2,316 yards, the sixth-most, and allowed the Washington Commanders to run for 220 yards in Week 1.
Grade: 55.7
Second Round
This week Ezeiruaku will face a lot of runs aimed at neutralizing the Cowbohs edge rush or using gap manipulation to exploit his lighter frame. Maintaining gap integrity could be a test for him so he’ll need to rely on good technique and quickness against much stronger linemen. Combo blocks or pulling guards that target his side could reduce his effectiveness if he can’t quickly shed blocks or reset leverage. The good news is Ezeiruaku has elite explosiveness off the snap and agility which will allow him to collapse the pocket quickly against slower offensive linemen, and he combines that with high IQ which will help him adjust on the fly, which should lead to some explosive plays.
Grade: 67.5
Third Round
Currently on Non-Football injury list (NFI)
Grade: N/A
Fifth Round
Last week Blue was inactive, mostly due to making roster moves for special team positions. But this week there’s a chance he suits up after Miles Sanders literally dropped the ball against the Eagles. Sanders stats on the surface look good since he rushed for 53 yards off only four carries, but one of those carries was an explosive play that went for 49 yards. That means his other three carries averaged only 1.3 yards per carry. Schottenheimer may opt to put in Blue this week and see what he can do, and hopefully he shines to get more playing time against a very weak Giants run defense that leaked all night against the Washington Commanders.
Grade: N/A
*Fifth...
