QUARTERBACK
-The incredibly strong preseason performance by all NYG quarterbacks continued through all three games. Rookie Jaxson Dart went 6/12 for 81 yards and a touchdown but played even better than that. He was the victim of three drops, a couple of which could have been explosive plays. He was excellent once again and it goes deeper than him throwing the ball. What I like the most about Dart right now is the internal clock and feel in the pocket. The lack of feel is what I mentioned about Daniel Jones over and over. I have to hesitate before praising Dart because he has yet to face a starting NFL defense, but I trust his feel more than Jones already. And that is a big, big deal. As I concluded last week, however, the kid needs to accept he needs to slide and avoid hits as often as possible. That is how the best stay healthy and available. Even though the hit and concussion check was not what took him out of the game, it was a clear reminder how vulnerable he and this team will be if he takes extra hits. He also fumbled on the play.
-If finances were not a part of the discussion, Tommy DeVito vs. Jameis Winston is a credible discussion. The ball is just jumping out of DeVito’s hands and don’t forget he has more experience with Daboll/Kafka/Tierney than anyone in that room. Gun to my head – I’m going with him over Winston but I understand the economics will likely keep Winston around. Winston threw an interception and a long touchdown but his numbers over three games are notably worse than DeVito.
RUNNING BACK
-Good to see rookie Cam Skattebo get the start and in the backfield after missing time with a hamstring injury. He looked a tad jumpy and off-balanced on his three carries but he gained 12 yards. He is likely the number three back on this team, but could get specific looks in short yardage and near the end zone. Don’t forget about his ability as a receiver as well. This offense was screen-happy throughout preseason and if that is a sign of things to come, Skattebo is going to be fun to watch in that role.
-Speaking of screen-game success, Jonathan Ward took one for a 41-yard score thanks to some nice downfield blocking and he added 29 yards on 6 carries. He is likely destined for the practice squad.
-They gave a team-high 11 carries to Dante Miller, who made 41 yards. He has been one of the MVP’s of preseason but I do notice how easily he goes to the ground when a tackler gets a clean shot at him. I think he played too well to cut loose and I believe he can be a credible pass-game weapon. He just adds a different element to what they have and it is important to have options in a budding offense. Options of styles.
WIDE RECEIVER
-All eyes were on Jalin Hyatt. He led the team with 6 targets and caught 3 of them for 38 yards, including one that went for 27 and a score. Was that enough to keep him around? Because he had two other downfield targets and he dropped one and should have caught the other. Hyatt’s biggest issue over two-plus seasons has been the instability against contact with defenders. The organization tried hard to convince everyone how much stronger he would be with his weight gain but I don’t see it. What I do see is worse body control and less overall fluidity. He looks borderline stiff. Even on the 27-yard touchdown, he got away with offensive pass interference. I truly wonder if the idea of Hyatt is the reason why he likely gets a nod to the 53-man roster rather than the reality of Hyatt. At this point, after three offseasons, he remains raw and inconsistent.
-Beaux Collins was targeted four times. Two of them resulted in drops and one of them resulted in an interception that looked like another wrong route similar to what we saw last week against the Jets. Not an ideal way to leave an impression for a bubble guy.
-Gunner Olszewski had an impressive night as he fought for the final receiver spot. I think he has the inside track at it because of his return capabilities and what he can do from the slot. He led the team with 68 yards (47 came after the catch) on just 3 catches. His burst and urgency as a route runner is something Wan’Dale Robinson can learn from. Less dancing, more acceleration.
-Lil’Jordan Humphrey had a catch for 38 yards and Montrell Washington caught all 3 targets for 28 yards. Both bring valuable depth to the group for different roles if they can be stashed on the practice squad. Washington may be sought after via waivers league wide, however. His game fits in well with teams that like to get it out fast which is a growing trend in the league.
TIGHT END
-Greg Dulcich and Thomas Fidone both scored touchdowns, the former getting two and leading the team in that department for the preseason. There is a chance the final tight end spot comes down to these two. Fidone being a rookie helps his case but I also think his blocking already looks a tier higher than Dulcich, who has never been much of a factor there dating back to his days at UCLA. But even dating back to those UCLA days, I’ve liked Dulcich and it looks like things are clicking. I’d hate to see either go.
OFFENSIVE LINE
-The starters didn’t see the field. While it would have been nice to see Andrew Thomas out there at least once this preseason, the timeline didn’t match up. The positive was we got to see a ton of rookie Marcus Mbow. Final snap counts aren’t in yet league wide, but Mbow will finish top 6 in the NFL in snaps played by a tackle these past three weeks. That was an invaluable experience for him and I walked away from these three games under the impression he can undoubtedly play outside in the NFL. His footwork and body control are starter-caliber, but he gets into trouble as a pass protector when he is late with his hands. He doesn’t have the anchor or length to separate from defenders if they get into his chest. Yes, everything can and likely will improve. As for 2025? I may already trust him as the team’s swing tackle more than anybody, but to be fair, he has allowed 6 pressures this preseason against backups.
-My eyes were on Evan Neal all night. He allowed 4 pressures (very high number for 24 pass block snaps) and we saw some of the same old movement issues with him. The longer he has to stay nimble in space, the worse he gets. I’m not losing sleep over his roster spot at this point. Would I love to keep him around to see how he develops inside? Sure. But how much development will we see as a backup and it’s not like he is learning a completely new position. Gun to my head, I cut him loose.
-Austin Schlottman and Jake Kubas both played well and looked fluid in space. They made key blocks on screen passes and on outside runs. Neither allowed a single pressure along with Bryan Hudson, who played guard all night. The interior NE defensive line wasn’t anything to write home about, but they did their jobs.
-Stone Forsythe was fourth in the NFL in preseason snaps among tackles. NYG got a long look at him and while I like the idea of him on the practice squad, I’m not losing sleep by letting him walk. He is big and strong with a good anchor, yes. But there is a level of stiffness to him I don’t want to see on the outside if injuries mount.
EDGE
-The competition for the fourth/fifth edge defender on this team was on display with Tomon Fox playing 55 snaps and Trace Ford playing 49. They both had two pressures and four tackles with stout run defense. Fox gets the nod as a pure edge setter, but Ford brings more juice as a pass rusher and he made a few rangy plays in run defense.
-Abdul Carter saw a few more snaps early on. He had another inside pressure. It would be one thing to see him winning with speed and burst outside-only, but his most impressive pass rush so far has come via the inside move. That is a positive considering the fact we will likely see him in a joker/hybrid role.
-Chauncey Gholston had a pass break up and a pressure on just seven snaps. He looks ready for his role and I love the inside-out versatility he brings to the table.
DEFENSIVE LINE
-Every time I try to put together the prediction for the 53-man roster, this is the group I am baffled by. Personally I think Rakeem Nunez-Roches should get the boot, but I think the front office keeps him around, no-question.
-Elijah Garcia and DJ Davidson both broke up a pass and got penetration multiple times. I trust Davidson more because his presence has been battle tested in regular-season action for a few years now and he is such a big, strong presence who shows up consistently.
-Jeremiah Ledbetter is a name that flashed. He had 6 tackles and just seemed to be in the mix often. A smart, heavy-handed guy who can be moved around a bit keeps the floor high, but the ceiling low.
-On the flip side, rookie Darius Alexander is the polar opposite. We just never saw consistently good play from him in any of the three games. He is low floor, high ceiling. When you have a guy like that, I believe there needs to be more security (high floor types) to fill out the depth chart. This is where I question whether or not Elijah Chatman fits. Perhaps the fullback experiment (four more snaps there in this game) is a way to justify keeping both? Cory Durden and Jordon Riley both play a man’s game inside. I hope at least two of these guys can be kept around on the practice squad because this is a group overall we just don’t seem to have clarity on beyond the All-Pro Dexter Lawrence.
LINEBACKER
-With the starters out, Dyontae Johnson saw a career-high 59 snaps. He never had more than 38 in a game prior to this. After the long look, he was cut. Johnson finished with three tackles and the biggest hit of the night. He and KJ Cloyd were cut following the game but I think both have a good shot at returning to the practice squad. Cloyd is a fun player, but he lacks control. He missed 4 tackles.
CORNERBACK
-After a somewhat rough start to preseason action, O’Donnell Fortune (one of the top undrafted free agents in the league) performed admirably with 2 pass break ups. He allowed just two short completions on five targets. Dee Williams got picked on a bit, allowing a touchdown. It has been a solid preseason for him and I think both have showed enough to earn a practice squad spot unless a good enough veteran shakes free.
-Undrafted rookie TJ Moore broke his femur after landing awkwardly on special teams. He was having a solid preseason and was impressing the coaching staff as a gunner. His season is over.
-Art Green, a well-sized outside corner who plays a physical brand was active, finishing with five tackles and showing excellent range. I like him as a surprise 53-man roster guy because he can make an impact on specials. I think his intelligence and quick trigger on the outside are good fits for this scheme as well, a scheme that asks a lot out of instincts of defensive backs.
SAFETY
-Nic Jones was put at safety for extended snaps (39) for the first time in his career. I like him better at corner but the numbers game presented the opportunity for him to prove he can add value on that part of the depth chart. For a roster bubble guy, the more you can do the better. He looked a little gun shy and he is very undersized to impact the game as a tackler from there.
-Makari Page has been impressive. He is a much bigger (6’4/208) and showed excellent foot speed. He lined up all over the defense including linebacker between the tackles. His 5 tackles showed off his physical side and there are traits to be intrigued by.
SPECIAL TEAMS
-K Jude McAtamney: No FG attempts – went 6/6 XP
-P Jamie Gillan: 3 punts / 47.0 avg – 35.7 net
3 STUDS
-QB Tommy DeVito, TE Thomas Fidone, CB O’Donnell Fortune
3 DUDS
-OG Evan Neal, LB KJ Cloyd, WR Beaux Collins
3 THOUGHTS ON NE
(1) Mike Vrabel was a name many among Giants nation wanted if ownership opted to cut ties with Brian Daboll. I think he has been criminally underrated by many. Yes, I agree with Daboll keeping a grip on the job and letting him cook with his own young quarterback. With that said, Vrabel would have been my top (or second) target for the HC spot if they cut ties. He went 54-45 as the Titans HC with a garbage situation at quarterback and several questionable draft decisions. Ryan Tannehill, Marcus Mariota, Will Levis, Josh Dobbs, Blaine Gabbert, and Malik Willis were what he had to work with. And he made the playoffs three times including a one-seed. New England is in good hands.
(2) New England went all-in on supporting the young quarterback this offseason. Love or hate Josh McDaniels, he is an excellent offensive coordinator. They signed a very solid veteran right tackle in Morgan Moses and drafted Will Campbell at the top of the first round. They signed a proven center in Garrett Bradbury. They signed a solid veteran receiver in Stefon Diggs (albeit coming off an injury). And they drafted a running back who I think is in the running for “Offensive Rookie of the Year” in TreVeyon Henderson. This offense was absolutely broken a year ago with the worst offensive line in football and tight end Hunter Henry as their number one weapon in the passing game. Take notes NYG. That is how you build a support system for a young quarterback next offseason.
(3) Buffalo rules the AFC East, we know that. After them? The second place spot is up for grabs and New England is very much in the mix. I put their offseason up there with anyone in the league. As noted above I love what they did to support Maye entering his sophomore season but the defensive moves were huge as well. Add in the new head coach and I think New England is heading toward a 10-win season for the first time since 2021, Mac Jones’ rookie year.
3 CLOSING THOUGHTS
(1) Here is a question that can make you think. Who starts more games in 2025? Russell Wilson or Jaxson Dart? If you asked me three months ago, I would question if Dart would even see the field prior to December. Now? After watching how fluid he looks in multiple areas and the romantic-face of Daboll every time the two connect eyes? We may see him get the nod before Halloween. The simple question to ask is this: which quarterback can put more points on the board? The secondary question that must be answered is how sure are you that Dart can handle early season struggles if they arise? I am a believer in patience and development, but if the kid is ready, throw him into the fire.
(2) The following two points will be prediction-based. First, I start with where I think NYG will end up. Yes the energy “feels different” with a new quarterback and true identity on defense. They are going to be hard to score on and there is a ceiling with the young play-makers in combination with a solid offensive line we have not seen in a long time. I come back to two things, however. One, I don’t trust the depth if injuries mount along either line, receiver, or cornerback. Multiple injuries to any of those spots and it can get ugly real quick. Two, the schedule is as tough as it gets. I understand how some will not weigh that into the equation, but I do. Even if NYG raises the bar and plays really good football, it could mount to just 5-6 wins. And third, the excitement around the roster heavily stems from how they performed against backups in three preseason games. While I could not have thought of a much better preseason, it barely means anything at the end of the day. I project NYG to go 7-10 and trust me, that is a very big improvement over what we have seen in recent years and it would mean they’re on the right track.
(3) My 53-man roster projection:
QB (3)
Russell Wilson
Jameis Winston
Jaxson Dart
RB (4)
Tyrone Tracy
Devin Singletary
Cam Skattebo
Dante Miller
WR(6)
Malik Nabers
Darius Slayton
Wan’Dale Robinson
Jalin Hyatt
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Gunner Olszewski
TE (4)
Theo Johnson
Greg Dulcich
Daniel Bellinger
Thomas Fidone
OL (10)
Andrew Thomas
Jon Runyan
John Michael Schmitz
Greg Van Roten
Jermaine Eluemunor
James Hudson
Marcus Mbow
Joshua Ezeudu
Aaron Stinnie
Austin Schlottman
ED (4)
Brian Burns
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Abdul Carter
Chauncey Gholston
DL (5)
Dexter Lawrence
Roy Robertson-Harris
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
DJ Davidson
Darius Alexander
LB (4)
Bobby Okereke
Micah McFadden
Darius Muasau
Chris Board
CB (6)
Paulson Adebo
Deonte Banks
Andru Phillips
Cor’Dale Flott
Art Green
Nic Jones
S (4)
Jevon Holland
Tyler Nubin
Dane Belton
Makari Paige (or waiver claim)
ST(3)
Graham Gano
Jamie Gillan
Casey Kreiter