Giants Risers and Fallers: Pinnock Impresses, Backup O-line Struggles

Risers and fallers from New York's preseason-opening 21-16 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Author:
Gene Clemons
Publish date:
Aug 12, 2023 11:49 AM EDT

In this story:

The New York Giants capped a week-long stay in the Motor City with a 21-16 loss to the Detroit Lions in front of some 48,872 people. The Lions got the better of the Giants thanks to a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Adrian Martinez with 1:51 left in the game, the score putting the Lions ahead for good.

As the team moves throughout training camp, these preseason games serve as checkpoints to see which players are improving their stock and which are plummeting.

Although decisions are not made exclusively from preseason games, performances that take place once the lights are on carry a bit of weight in the final analysis. And this week, as is always the case, there was a mixture of good and bad from the Giants' first game of the exhibition season, so let's dive into our risers and fallers.

Riser: S Jason Pinnock

Pinnock has been a riser all summer, and he continued improving his stock in the preseason opener.

The second-year safety had an interception on a deep ball on the game's first play, a ball he returned for 17 yards; Pinnock also added a pass breakup on a Lions 4th-and-1 and a tackle for loss.

Pinnock has the inside track on the vacant starting strong safety role opposite Xavier McKinney.

Riser: S Dane Belton

Belton was a turnover machine this week in the joint practices and the game.

His forced fumble during the week went viral, and the second-year player followed that up with an equally impressive showing in the game.

Belton recorded an interception and 47-yard return that moved the ball deep into Lions territory. Remember, Belton showed that he could take the ball away in college, and he also showed glimpses of being a ballhawk last year. He has continued to show that he knows how to find the ball.

Riser: RB Jashaun Corbin

The second-year Florida State product was the only running back to show explosiveness during the game.

He got the ball off the right tackle and broke out for 33 yards during the fourth quarter of the game. He definitely has the juice to break loose at almost any point and the speed to take it the distance.

Corbin is competing with Gary Brightwell (who is nursing a lower-body injury) and James Robinson for what is likely the fourth and final spot on the running back depth chart.

Riser: WR Cole Beasley

Beasley, coaxed out of retirement by the Giants, has not been around New York long, but he has wasted no time showing he can be productive.

The veteran slot receiver looks like he is already comfortable in this offense, which is no surprise considering he played in a version of it with Buffalo when Giants head coach Brian Daboll was the Bills' offensive coordinator.

Beasley caught all four pass targets against the Lions for 33 yards. And while those numbers won't necessarily wow anyone, the fact is that Beasley still has a good feel for the offense and, more importantly, a knack for getting open.

Faller: OT Korey Cunningham

The fifth-year tackle out of Cincinnati had a rough time on Friday night keeping the Lions speed rushers in front of him.

He was beaten on straight outside speed moves and rushes where they took an inside move. He was also a second or so late on one snap, making it look like he didn't know the snap count.

Even though the left tackle position is solidified, the Giants are looking for depth on the line. Cunningham's first opportunity to prove he could be part of that solution did not go very well.

Faller: OG Wyatt Davis

Davis is a guard playing tackle, likely because Tyre Phillips, who otherwise would have gotten snaps in this week's game, could not play due to a left leg injury suffered during the week.

Then let's establish that Davis is probably not in the plans as a tackle after his performance against the Lions, as the need for athleticism on the edges is key.

The Giants are looking for depth on their offensive line, particularly guys that can fill multiple roles. Phillips has shown he can do it in practice and will hopefully get a chance to show it in a preseason game.

Davis, however, did not show the versatility to play multiple roles. He seemed overwhelmed playing on the outside and trying to handle the speed rushers off the edge.

It's not all his fault that he was asked to do something he's not accustomed to, but what you put on film tends to be who you are.

Faller: The Pass Rush

Yes, they got a few pressures and hits on the quarterback, but it was difficult to watch the Lions get the quarterback down five times while the Giants only managed one sack, that by Habakkuk Bandonado late in the game.

The depth at outside linebacker remains a concern, and this game further exposed that lack of explosiveness after the two starting outside linebackers (Azeez Ojualri and KAyvon Thibodeaux).

The front office has been collecting run-stopping defensive tackles all offseason which does not equate to better pass-rushing numbers. Hopefully, in the second preseason game, we get more of a look at the pass rush they plan to employ in the regular season.