The Giants.com crew breaks down the preseason opener and what it means for the Giants with the regular season less than a month away:
John Schmeelk: The Giants rested a lot of their veteran starters on Friday night, but they did give their rookies a significant amount of playing time. First-round pick Deonte Banks and sixth-round pick Tre Hawkins III both started at outside cornerback and played 37 snaps on defense. Banks played nearly all his snaps as the right outside cornerback, while Hawkins stayed on the left side.
According to Pro Football Focus, Banks was targeted three times but didn't give up a catch. Hawkins, meanwhile, was targeted six times but only allowed 30 receiving yards. Keep in mind that those numbers are estimates since player assignments can never be determined with certainty, except for the coaches who called and designed the called defenses.
Wink Martindale called a blitz on 13 of their 23 first half coverage snaps, with many of those featuring man defense with little help. In other words, he was throwing his rookies into the fire by putting them in isolated situations that forced them into tough coverage assignments. For the most part, Banks and Hawkins handled them well.
The next step in the progression will be the two rookies lining up against the true top starters for an extended period of time. The Lions played mostly backups in the game.
Dan Salomone: Brian Daboll is always reserved when he publicly talks about rookies as he wants his staff to avoid being "instant evaluators" – whether it's good or bad. But, after reviewing the tape, Daboll did have some glowing things to say about rookie center John Michael Schmitz Jr.
"He did a good job of communicating with his linemates and down the line of scrimmage, and with the snap, it was good," Daboll said of the second-round draft choice and former All-American. "It was actually pretty loud at times in there. So, for his first outing at center for us, I was pleased with the progress that he's made throughout camp, and I was pleased with his first game, and we've got to build on from that."
Schmitz will go a long way in determining the future of the draft class and team as a whole.
View photos from the Giants' preseason opener against the Lions in Detroit.
TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Jason Pinnock (27), DT Brandin Bryant (69), OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
S Jason Pinnock (27), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
RB James Robinson (24)
T Korey Cunningham (70), TE Tommy Sweeney (89), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
WR Cole Beasley (9)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Dane Belton (24)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
RB James Robinson (24)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
LS Casey Kreiter (59), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
CB Rodarius Williams (25), OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
K Graham Gano (9)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
S Alex Cook (23)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Jason Pinnock (27), DT Brandin Bryant (69), OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
K Graham Gano (9)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
K Graham Gano (9)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
CB Darren Evans (35)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
ILB Cam Brown (47)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37), S Dane Belton (24)
G Ben Bredeson (68), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
RB Eric Gray (20)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
G Ben Bredeson (68), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75), QB Tommy DeVito (5)
T Korey Cunningham (70), G Ben Bredeson (68), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75), QB Tommy DeVito (5),
T Korey Cunningham (70), G Ben Bredeson (68), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75), QB Tommy DeVito (5),
WR Cole Beasley (9)
RB James Robinson (24)
G Ben Bredeson (68)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
S Bobby McCain (21)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
RB James Robinson (24), T Korey Cunningham (70)
S Bobby McCain (21)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53), ILB Micah McFadden (41), TE OLB Tomon Fox (49)
CB Gemon Green (34), CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
CB Gemon Green (34), CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
ILB Micah McFadden (41)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
S Dane Belton (24), CB Deonte Banks (36), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Dane Belton (24)
S Dane Belton (24)
S Dane Belton (24), CB Deonte Banks (36), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
T Korey Cunningham (70), RB Jashaun Corbin (25), TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Dane Belton (24)
T Korey Cunningham (70), RB Jashaun Corbin (25), TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
S Dane Belton (24)
K Graham Gano (9)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
K Graham Gano (9)
RB Eric Gray (20)
G Wyatt Davis (67), G Jack Anderson (77), QB Tommy DeVito (5), G Shane Lemieux (66)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
RB Eric Gray (20)
WR David Sills V (13)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
WR David Sills V (13)
RB Eric Gray (20)
S Alex Cook (23)
DT Kobe Smith (72)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94), S Gervarrius Owens (31)
S Alex Cook (23)
ILB Troy Brown (46)
S Gervarrius Owens (31)
ILB Troy Brown (46), S Gervarrius Owens (31), DT Jordon Riley (95), DT Kobe Smith (72)
WR David Sills V (13)
DT Kobe Smith (72)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94), S Gervarrius Owens (31)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
Sean Harlow (65), QB Tommy DeVito (5), G Shane Lemieux (66)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
S Alex Cook (23)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
S Gervarrius Owens (31)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38), S Alex Cook (23)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38), S Alex Cook (23)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
CB Darren Evans (35)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
G Jack Anderson (77)
WR David Sills V (13)
G Wyatt Davis (67)
WR David Sills V (13)
G Jack Anderson (77)
G Wyatt Davis (67)
TE Ryan Jones (49)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
G Wyatt Davis (67), Sean Harlow
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9)
TE Ryan Jones (49)
CB Darren Evans (35)
TE Ryan Jones (49)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
WR David Sills V (13)
S Alex Cook (23)
G Jack Anderson (77)
S Alex Cook (23)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94), OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27) tackles Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants place-kicker Graham Gano (9) greets teammates after his field goal during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll looks towards New York Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley runs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) stiff arms Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is tackled by the New York Giants defense during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley (9) is tackled by Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (84) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) looks to pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (36) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (36) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks off against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) rushes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions cornerback Chase Lucas, top, and cornerback Saivion Smith take down New York Giants wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito passes the ball during pregame of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants tight end Tommy Sweeney, defended by Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42), catches a 14-yard pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) passes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) passes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) defends as New York Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley waits on the throw during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) break up a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano kicks a 48-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
S Xavier McKinney, DL Dexter Lawrence, CB Adoree' Jackson
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
DB Nick McCloud
OT Evan Neal
DL Dexter Lawrence
OT Andrew Thomas
S Xavier Mckinney, DL Dexter Lawrence, CB Adoree Jackson
DB Alex Cook
DT Kobe Smith
ILB Micah McFadden
S Bobby McCain
LS Cameron Lyons
Head Coach Brian Daboll
WR Cole Beasley
OT Korey Cunningham
DB Alex Cook
CB Deonte Banks
CB Rodarius Williams
TE Daniel Bellinger
QB Tyrod Taylor
RB Matt Breida
DT Kobe Smith
RB Jashaun Corbin
DT Kobe Smith
FB Chris Myarick
RB Eric Gray
G Ben Bredeson
OT Tyre Phillips
QB Tyrod Taylor
G Shane Lemieux
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr.
WR Jaydon Mickens
WR Cole Beasley
QB Tyrod Taylor
G Ben Bredeson
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton
RB Eric Gray
RB Eric Gray
OT Matt Peart
WR Jalin Hyatt
WR Jalin Hyatt
WR Jalin Hyatt
ILB Carter Coughlin
WR Jalin Hyatt
ILB Carter Coughlin
DL Leonard Williams
DL Leonard Williams
QB Tyrod Taylor
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
Lance Medow: If there's one position the Giants are looking for someone to emerge, I'd put the third pass rusher right atop the list. With Kavyon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari in the mix, New York has two young bookends off the edge, but most teams that have a knack for getting after the quarterback and consistently pile up sacks, showcase a reliable third option. In Saturday's preseason opener, we got a taste of some potential options: Tomon Fox, Oshane Ximines and Habakkuk Baldonado.
Last year, Fox was in Baldonado's shoes as he was fighting to solidify a roster spot as an undrafted player out of North Carolina. Thanks to several flash plays during the preseason, he picked up where he left off in 2022 with a hit on Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld that led to Jason Pinnock's interception on the very first play from scrimmage. Fox led the way with two quarterback hits as he once again proved his ability to record hustle plays, and Baldonado finished with a sack, quarterback hit, tackle for loss and pass defensed. He was in position for another sack but was called for roughing the passer. Regardless of the penalty, there's evidence that Baldonado can navigate traffic and win his battles en route to the signal-caller. The former Pitt standout produced nine sacks in 2021, so he clearly has what it takes to rush the passer. If that rawness can translate to the NFL, he could be a player to watch, much like Fox last season.
The last player worth highlighting is Oshane Ximines, who re-signed with the team this offseason after playing in at least 15 games for the first time since his rookie year in 2019. Ximines has battled injuries in his career, but the third pass rusher role is very much up for grabs, and it didn't hurt that he collected a quarterback hit in the preseason opener as he looks to hold off the competition.
Matt Citak: While many starters on both sides of the ball did not play, the game still featured young players who are currently slated to see extended playing time this year, one of which was safety Jason Pinnock. When the team released its first unofficial depth chart earlier in the week, Pinnock was listed as the starting strong safety. How did the 24-year-old respond in his first game action? He intercepted Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld on the very first play of the game. He then followed that up with a three-yard tackle for loss of running back Jahmyr Gibbs, the 12th overall pick in this year's draft, on his next snap. A couple of plays later on fourth down, Pinnock broke up his second pass of the night to force a turnover on downs. While the first depth chart is unofficial, Pinnock made a strong impression on the coaching staff in his pursuit to solidify his spot in the starting lineup.
"He's athletic," coach Brian Daboll said about the young safety after the game. "He's explosive. He was a good addition to our team last year. He played a bunch of special teams, but I think he's done a good job here in camp. Made the most of his opportunity in the short amount of plays, keep grinding along with him. But he's done a nice job for us."
Pinnock wasn't the only young safety who stood out Friday night. Right behind him on the strong safety depth chart is Dane Belton. The second-year player out of Iowa was one of last year's training camp standouts before a clavicle injury sidelined him for over a month. He picked up right where he left off last summer as he registered the defense's second turnover of the game with another interception of Sudfeld. Belton was on the field for just 39 percent of the team's defensive snaps in 2022 and 34 percent of the special teams snaps. And yet, he still finished the season in a tie for the team-lead with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The two young safeties showed us Friday that they could both play a big role in the defense's success this season. Between Pinnock, Belton, Adoree' Jackson, Deonte Banks and Xavier McKinney, among others, the secondary could turn into one of the unit's strengths in 2023.
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