The Giants’ most impressive offensive player during joint training with the Lions was Malik Nabers.
John Schmeelk: Fact – You can extend that to the entire offseason because that’s how good Malik Nabers has been. He’s tough to guard 1v1. He wins on all three levels of the field, creates distance and makes contested catches. I’m beyond impressed with how quickly he’s gotten on offense and how much confidence Daniel Joens has when throwing him the ball. I’d put Jones second on that list. I think he had two of his best days of practice against the Lions as he finds his rhythm in the passing game.
Dan Salomone: Fact – However, to pick up where Schmeelk left off, you have to give Jones credit, too. He stepped up in his first reps against an opposing team since his knee injury. In fact, Monday’s first practice together was nine months to the day after he tore his right anterior cruciate ligament against the Raiders. Brian Daboll brought up a good point this week when he said, “Sometimes you forget because he looks normal out there. But for what he’s done … and when he comes back and takes every rep, he feels good. I’ve talked to him about different things. Hey, ‘Fight, make sure you’re comfortable coming out of the pocket, make sure you’re comfortable in the pocket. Making plays with your feet.’ He’s right on track. It’s pretty impressive to me that he’s come out of that injury, here he is, this is how he looks physically. I’m proud of him.”
Matt Citak: Fact – That’s easy. After looking like a star at the start of training camp, Nabers has been able to keep the momentum going with the Lions in town. The rookie wide receiver caught nearly every pass thrown his way during the two practices they had together, including some spectacular plays. Although training camp is still early, Nabers has already shown why the Giants selected him with the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft. He has all the makings of a certified No. 1 receiver.
The Giants’ most impressive defensive player during joint practices with the Lions was Brian Burns.
John Schmeelk: Fiction – Burns was disruptive and impressive. He was also the player I was most excited to see at practice, as I had never seen him play against another opponent in a Giants uniform. But I still can’t rank him ahead of Dexter Lawrence. Despite playing against a strong offensive line inside and one of the best centers in the league, Frank Ragnow, Lawrence consistently forced opponents onto the skates and made them slide back to the quarterback. He is unblockable in 1-on-1 situations.
Dan Salomone: Fact – Take your pick from the top four players who performed well against a talented Detroit offensive line. But Burns, in particular, stood out as he showed off his patented spin move to his new fans. “That’s one of his moves, man,” Kayvon Thibodeaux said. “I’m not necessarily a spin guy. That’s not my strength yet. So when I see him do it, I always get excited. … They say for me, I’m more of a power downhill guy. He’s more agile and gets them moving their feet. And I like to build on that with power long-arm work.”
Matt Citak: Fact – The Lions have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, if not the best, and that starts with their two tackles. Penei Sewell was a first-team All-Pro last year, while Taylor Decker has been one of the league’s most consistent tackles for years. And yet, Burns has more than held his own. The Giants’ big offseason addition would record multiple sacks during team periods. Even on plays where he couldn’t get to the quarterback, he was able to push the tackle far enough back that the pocket collapsed around Jared Goff and he had to get rid of the football. Burns has seemed absolutely worth the big investment in him so far this summer.
From start to finish, the position group you need to watch most in the season opener is the secondary.
John Schmeelk: Fact – If there’s one spot on this roster that I still have the most questions about at this point in the summer, it’s the secondary. There are still two position battles going on, at the outside cornerback position opposite Deonte Banks and at the safety position opposite Jason Pinnock. Those battles involve young and sometimes unproven players. It remains to be seen who the Lions will use at their skill position on Thursday night (we already know Jared Goff isn’t playing), but every part of the Giants’ lineup in the secondary will have a chance to show what they can do. There are spots up for grabs. My honorable mention goes to the offensive line. You always need depth at that spot. Even if the starters don’t play, I want to see how the backup tackles (Josh Ezeudu, Yodny Cajuste, Joshua Miles and Matt Nelson) play against the Lions’ defensive front.
Dan Salomone: Fiction – As Shane Bowen pointed out, the battle on the defensive line is “as tough as any competition on our team right now.” The defensive coordinator was, of course, talking about the spots next to and behind two-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence. Veteran Rakeem Nuñez-Roches is having a great summer and is earning praise from coaches and “younger” teammates. “A lot of people think of him as an older player,” Thibodeaux said, “but he plays like he’s one of the young players.” Behind him is where it gets interesting. Players like Ryder Anderson, Jordon Riley, DJ Davidson and Timmy Horne have all shown flashes at times. “I think we have really good depth,” Bowen said. “And right now, the way it looks, there are going to be some good football players in that room that aren’t making this team, and they’re struggling. So it’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out.”
Matt Citak: Fact – While an argument could be made for the offensive line here, I don’t think we’ll see most of the projected starters. Given the youth surrounding the secondary, I wouldn’t be surprised to see most of those players on the field for at least a few snaps on Thursday, especially when it comes to the cornerbacks. Aside from Deonte Banks, I’d like to see the rest of the cornerbacks get a few snaps and show how they’ve developed, especially against Detroit’s talented group of wide receivers.
