AT A GLANCE
Daniel Jones was nearly flawless in his first preseason appearance of the summer, and a pair of promising rookies found the end zone in a 21-19 victory over the Panthers at MetLife Stadium.
UP NEXT
The Giants will be the "home" team in their preseason finale against the New York Jets on Saturday, Aug. 26 (6 p.m. ET kickoff). It will be the final tune-up and audition before the NFL's Aug. 29 deadline for clubs to reduce their active rosters from 90 to 53 players.
View photos from the home preseason opener between the Giants and Panthers at MetLife Stadium.
RB Eric Gray (20)
Brian Daboll Head Coach, TE Darren Waller (12)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
T Julién Davenport (71)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
S Dane Belton (24)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
Don Martindale Defensive Coordinator
Brian Daboll Head Coach
OLB Jihad Ward (55)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54), DT Kobe Smith (72)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
S Bobby McCain (21)
G Shane Lemieux (66)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
G Shane Lemieux (66)
G Jack Anderson (77), G Shane Lemieux (66)
QB Tommy DeVito (5), Sean Harlow, T Matt Peart (74)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
QB Tommy DeVito (5), Sean Harlow, T Matt Peart (74)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
S Alex Cook (23)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
DT Brandin Bryant (69)
S Dane Belton (24)
S Dane Belton (24)
OLB Tomon Fox (49), OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
OLB Tomon Fox (49), OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
RB Eric Gray (20)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
DT Jordon Riley (95), S Dane Belton (24)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
S Gervarrius Owens (31)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
S Gervarrius Owens (31)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
G Mark Glowinski (64), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
S Dane Belton (24)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
S Dane Belton (24)
DT Kobe Smith (72)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
K Graham Gano (9)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
RB Eric Gray (20), T Matt Peart (74)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
G Ben Bredeson (68)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), QB Tyrod Taylor (2), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29), S Jason Pinnock (27)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
S Jason Pinnock (27), LB Bobby Okereke (58)
S Jason Pinnock (27), LB Bobby Okereke (58)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9), P Jamie Gillan (6)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
Brian Daboll Head Coach, TE Darren Waller (12)
Brian Daboll Head Coach, TE Darren Waller (12)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
G Mark Glowinski (64), QB Daniel Jones (8), TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
T Evan Neal (73)
G Mark Glowinski (64), QB Daniel Jones (8), TE Darren Waller (12)
T Evan Neal (73)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
TE Darren Waller (12)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
TE Darren Waller (12)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
TE Darren Waller (12)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
T Evan Neal (73), RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
New York Giants' Parris Campbell runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants running back Jashaun Corbin runs with the ball during an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones gestures at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones stands at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor passes the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt carries the ball during an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) attempts to avoid a tackle by Carolina Panthers cornerback Keith Taylor Jr. (28) during an NFL pre-season football game on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
New York Giants wide receiver Darren Waller (12) is tackled by Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) during an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Carolina Panthers' Adam Thielen, left, and New York Giants' Isaiah Hodgins talks after an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, left, greets New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones after an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton (81) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Brandon Smith (40) during an NFL pre-season football game on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, left, greets New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones after an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) cheers on the crowd during an NFL pre-season football game against the Carolina Panthers on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
New York Giants wide receiver Parris Campbell, center, is tackled by Carolina Panthers safety Vonn Bell, left, and linebacker Shaq Thompson, right, during an NFL pre-season football game on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
New York Giants' Darren Waller, left, talks with Parris Campbell, right, and Daniel Jones (8) on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley watches the game from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito looks to throw during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants' Darnay Holmes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Eric Gray (20), second from left, celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
QB Daniel Jones (8), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
TE Darren Waller (12), RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
TE Darren Waller (12)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
RB Eric Gray (20)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
New York Giants' John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), center, prepares to snap the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Sterling Shepard runs a route during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), right, gestures during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Daniel Bellinger scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Jalin Hyatt catches a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Parris Campbell, left, runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, center, throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
TE Darren Waller (12)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
S Alex Cook (23)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Alex Cook (23)
CB Gemon Green (34)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
S Dane Belton (24)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
T Evan Neal (73)
CB Gemon Green (34)
G Mark Glowinski (64)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
OLB Jihad Ward (55)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20), S Jason Pinnock (27)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20), S Jason Pinnock (27)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
S Gervarrius Owens (31), CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
RB Gary Brightwell (23)
RB Gary Brightwell (23)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
TE Darren Waller (12)
RB James Robinson (24)
RB James Robinson (24)
T Matt Peart (74)
OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
WR Cole Beasley (9)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
LS Cameron Lyons (48)
K Graham Gano (9), LS Casey Kreiter (59)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
RB Matt Breida (31)
RB Matt Breida (31)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
Sean Harlow
TE Chris Myarick (85)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
DT Kobe Smith (72)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR David Sills V (13)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
WR David Sills V (13)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
CB Darren Evans (35)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
S Bobby McCain (21)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
S Bobby McCain (21)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
S Dane Belton (24)
ILB Micah McFadden (41)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
🔹 After resting the majority of their starters in the preseason opener, the Giants played most of them on Friday night with the exception of running back Saquon Barkley. Here was the lineup:
- QB Daniel Jones
- LT Andrew Thomas
- LG Ben Bredeson
- C John Michael Schmitz Jr.
- RG Mark Glowinski
- RT Evan Neal
- RB Matt Breida
- WR Isaiah Hodgins
- WR Parris Campbell
- WR Darius Slayton
- TE Darren Waller
🔹 The first drive couldn't have gone much better as the Giants marched into the end zone on 10 plays. Jones accounted for all 75 yards, completing all but one of his nine passing attempts for 69 yards, including a four-yard touchdown to second-year tight end Daniel Bellinger. Jones also had a six-yard run on the drive.
🔹 Brian Daboll saw all he needed to see. Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor relieved Jones on the second series.
🔹 He showed it at Tennessee. He showed it in training camp. Now, Jalin Hyatt has shown it in an NFL game, albeit preseason. The rookie third-round draft choice, who delivered the most explosive receiving campaign in Volunteers history last year, flashed his route-running ability and world-class speed on a 33-yard touchdown from Taylor in the second quarter.
🔹 Hyatt wasn't the only rookie to record his first NFL touchdown. Running back Eric Gray, a fifth-rounder who transferred from Hyatt's alma mater to Oklahoma, plowed through a pile of Panthers on a nine-yard touchdown run, giving the Giants a 21-3 lead at halftime.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
🔹 Friday night's starting lineup:
- DT Dexter Lawrence
- DT Leonard Williams
- DT Jordon Riley
- DE Azeez Ojulari
- OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
- LB Bobby Okereke
- CB Tre Hawkins III
- CB Adoree' Jackson
- SS Jason Pinnock
- FS Xavier McKinney
- CB Deonte Banks
🔹 It's not every day that a team starts their rookie sixth- and seventh-round draft picks at the same time, but Wink Martindale isn't most coordinators. One of the major storylines around training camp has been the play of cornerback Tre Hawkins III, a sixth-rounder out of Old Dominion who has been locking down a spot on the first team. He has been playing opposite fellow rookie Deonte Banks, a first-round pick, while veteran Adoree' Jackson has moved to the slot.
But there is something else brewing up front. Jordon Riley, a raw seventh-round pick who played at four different colleges, started on the defensive line next to Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence. The rookie made three tackles, including a stuff to force Carolina to turn the ball over on downs. The Giants scored a touchdown on the ensuing possession.
"Players know players, and they know he can help us and they're helping him every day," Martindale said earlier in the week. "They help everybody in the room, but I see them always talking to him on the field. I think that that's just fantastic, because when you think about it, it's like you training another reporter to take your job. I think that's what's great about that room is that they know what we need to win. I'm excited for the kid."
🔹 The Giants faced off against No. 1 draft pick and former Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young on Friday night. Kayvon Thibodeaux, last year's fifth overall choice, welcomed him to the NFL with a first-half sack.
🔹 Second-year safety Dane Belton notched two tackles for loss a week after grabbing an interception and returning it 42 yards in Detroit.
🔹 Linebacker Bobby Okereke, a free-agent acquisition this offseason, recorded seven tackles. Okereke had a career-best 149 total tackles last year with the Colts.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS
🔹 It's never a fun week to be in special teams meetings after allowing a 95-yard punt return touchdown, but the Giants responded on Friday night. They allowed no returns on three Jamie Gillan punts, one of which was downed inside the 20.
GAME CAPTAINS
🔹 QB Daniel Jones, LT Andrew Thomas, DL Dexter Lawrence, S Xavier McKinney
IN-GAME INJURY REPORT
🔹 No injuries were reported by either team.
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